Aviation Medicine and Crew Health
Fitness to fly
Candidates must understand the medical standards for cabin crew, the validity of the medical certificate, and the obligation to self-declare changes in health. Know the effects of altitude, hypoxia, and dehydration.
Crew health risks
Understand fatigue management, circadian rhythm disruption, and the risks of alcohol and medication. Know the rules on reporting illness and the use of the crew rest facility.
Traps in questions
- Assuming a minor illness need not be reported; any change affecting fitness must be declared.
- Forgetting that some medications impair performance.
- Confusing passenger medical emergencies with crew fitness.
- Not recognising dehydration and fatigue as cumulative hazards.
Rule of thumb
If you are not fit to fly, say so before the flight. A grounded crew member is safer than an impaired one.
Worked example
A question asks what a crew member should do if they develop a fever before a flight. The answer is to report it and not operate until cleared, because fitness to fly is a legal requirement.