Short Courses in Aviation Medicine (EASA Approved) - Basic & Advanced Postgraduate Courses Prospectus

Short Courses in
   Aviation Medicine

   (EASA Approved)

Basic & Advanced Postgraduate
      Courses Prospectus

The Basic and Advanced Courses in Aviation Medicine are designed to meet the EASA Part Med
D.010 & D.015 training requirements and to prepare medical practitioners for authorisation as
Aeromedical Examiners (AMEs) of flight crew licence holders.

Practitioners planning to seek appointment as an AME should make enquiries of their national
regulatory authority. In the case of the UK, the authority is the Civil Aviation Authority whose
policy is given below.

These postgraduate courses are also appropriate for health professionals with an interest in
aviation medicine, but not necessarily wishing to become AMEs. The courses also provide a
good foundation for those medical practitioners planning to proceed to the course for the
Diploma in Aviation Medicine.

The Basic course is intended primarily for fully registered medical practitioners seeking an
introduction to aviation medicine. Completion of this course and success in the examination
fulfills the initial training requirement for appointment as an EASA AME for Class 2 medical
certification (student and private pilots). However, it should be noted that appointment as an
AME does not automatically follow. Each national regulatory authority appoints AMEs according
to their own needs and criteria (see CAA policy below).

Members of allied health professions also may attend the course, although they will not qualify
as AMEs.

The Advanced course builds on the foundation provided by the Basic course. Completion of this
course and success in the examination fulfills the initial training requirement for appointment as
a EASA AME for Class 1 medical certification (student, private and professional pilots). Again, it
should be noted that appointment as an AME does not automatically follow. This course is also
open to members of allied health professions.

Note: Holders of the Diploma in Aviation Medicine of the Faculty of Occupational Medicine of
the Royal College of Physicians are not required to undergo the Basic and Advanced courses in
order to be appointed as an AME in the UK.

These aviation medicine courses consist of lectures, tutorials and seminars with a significant
practical component. Each course is completed in 2 weeks of full-time study.

Lectures are held in the Centre of Human and Aerospace Physiological Sciences at the
Guy’s Campus of King’s College London, near London Bridge.

During the Basic course a day is spent with the CAA Medical Department at Gatwick. Practical
experience on the Advanced course is gained in the flight simulators of British Airways Flight
Training at Heathrow and, again, a day is spent with the CAA Medical Department at Gatwick.

Course syllabus

The syllabus for the Basic and Advanced courses has previously been determined by the
European Joint Aviation Requirements Flight Crew Licensing Part 3 (Medical), AMC FCL
 3.090 and more recently by the EASA Part Med D.020.

King’s College London is fortunate to have visiting lecturers who are internationally recognised
as leaders in the field of aerospace medicine as well as within their clinical specialties. This
enables the teaching programme to extend beyond the EASA syllabus requirements and provide
a sound basis of aviation medical knowledge.

Basic course
      Introduction to aviation medicine
      Physics of the atmosphere and space
      Basic aeronautical knowledge
      Aviation physiology
      Atmosphere
      Respiration
      Hypoxia
      Acceleration
      Disorientation
      Noise and vibration
      Ophthalmology
      Otorhinolaryngology
      Cardiology and general medicine
      Neurology
      Psychiatry
      Psychology
      Accidents, escape and survival
      Legislation, rules and regulations
      Passenger fitness to fly
      Medication and flying
      Final examination and debrief

Advanced course
      Pilot working environment
      Aerospace physiology
      Ophthalmology
      Otorhinolaryngology
      Cardiology and general medicine
      Neurology/Psychiatry
      Human factors in aviation
      Tropical medicine
      Hygiene
      Space medicine
      Final examination and debrief Inevitably, there is some commonality between the two
       courses, but the Advanced course aims to build on the knowledge already gained from
       the Basic course with an emphasis on practical procedures

Exemption from Basic course
The certificate awarded on completion of the Advanced course, and after passing the final
examination, confirms that the candidate has completed 60 hours of advanced instruction and
has been successful in the final assessment.

A physician who has attended an EASA-approved 60 hour Basic Aviation Medicine course at
an establishment other than KCL, and has been successful in the examination and awarded
a certificate of completion, may attend the Advanced course at KCL and sit the final
examination. This fulfils the EASA requirement for 120 hours instruction in aviation
medicine.

Physicians and members of allied health professions may attend the Advanced course without
having completed a Basic course. However, in such circumstances, as the student will not have
attended a Basic course or passed the associated examination, the College will be unable to
certify that the student has met the EASA requirements for entry to the Advanced course. It is
the responsibility of intending students to ascertain whether such a certificate of attendance,
certifying 60 hours of instruction in aviation medicine, is adequate for their purposes.

Assessment
There is open access to the directing staff throughout the course and course
members are encouraged to discuss individual progress.

The final examination on each course consists of a 1hour 30 minute written paper in
multiple choice format. The paper is set, marked and graded by the course directing
staff.

The examination is optional. However, a pass in the Basic course examination is necessary for
consideration of appointment as an EASA Class 2 AME and in the Basic and Advanced examinations
for appointment as an EASA Class 1 AME. A certificate of success in the examination is issued by
King’s College London and is recognised by the national regulatory bodies within EASA. In addition, a
certificate of attendance on the course will be issued.

Career opportunities
Clinical aviation medicine is a sub-specialty and most civilian practitioners work within general
practice or occupational medicine.

Regulatory aviation medicine is based within national or international regulatory
authorities, whilst opportunities to work in aviation medicine research occur within
national research establishments and industry, or within the armed forces.

Completion of the KCL Basic aviation medicine course and success in the examination prepares a
medical practitioner for appointment as an EASA Class 2 AME, allowing the medical assessment
of student and private pilots. For appointment as an EASA Class 1 AME, allowing the medical
assessment of student, private and professional pilots and air traffic controllers, the medical
practitioner must have completed both the Basic and Advanced aviation medicine courses and
been successful in the examinations.

It must be stressed that gaining the certificates of success in the Basic and Advanced courses

does not guarantee appointment as an AME. Each regulatory authority, such as the UK CAA,
appoints AMEs according to need and according to their own criteria (see Annex A for the CAA
policy).

Although the Basic and Advanced courses provide a sound introduction to the principles
and practice of aviation medicine, individuals wishing to pursue a career in regulatory or
research aviation medicine may wish to consider undertaking the 6 month KCL course
leading to the Diploma in Aviation Medicine of the Faculty of Occupational Medicine.
This provides comprehensive instruction in advanced aviation medicine and prepares
medical practitioners to take advantage of career opportunities in research, regulation,
industry and the armed forces.

Entry qualifications
Basic Course

Experience in clinical medicine and a working knowledge of the aviation environment are highly
desirable. Normally students will be registered medical practitioners and documentary evidence
must be presented as part of the application process. At the discretion of the Programme
Director, other health professionals may be admitted to the course.

Advanced Course

Applicants will usually be expected to have successfully completed the King’s College London
Basic aviation medicine course, or to provide documentary evidence of having completed an
EASA approved basic aviation medicine course at another establishment. At the discretion of the
Programme Director, medical practitioners and members of allied professions may attend the
Advanced course without having completed a Basic course.

Continuing professional development

The Basic and Advanced aviation medicine courses are recognised by the Faculty of
Occupational Medicine of the Royal College of Physicians for the purposes of continuing
professional development (CPD).

Course Dates and Fees

Basic Course
Monday 13th April – Friday 24th April 2015 (Fee: £2600)

Monday 2nd November – Friday 13th November 2015 (Fee: tbc)

Advanced Course
Monday 3rd November 2014 – Friday 14th November 2014 (Fee: £2800)

Monday 28th September 2015 – Friday 9th October 2015 (Fee: tbc)

These fees cover the cost of tuition at King’s College London and the cost of the sessions at the UK
CAA Gatwick, (Basic Course) and at British Airways Flight Training Heathrow (Advanced Course).

The fees do not include accommodation and subsistence, nor the cost of travel to and from King’s
College London, CAA Gatwick, or British Airways Flight Training Heathrow.

Security
Practical sessions on the courses involve visits to establishments with high levels of security. It is
essential that all students, including UK nationals, bring the following documents on the first day of
the course:

       Passport
       Additional document providing evidence of identity and address, such as
       Driving licence with photograph
       Utility bill for current address

Failure to produce these documents will preclude the student from participation in the practical
activities at the secure establishments.

Application forms are available for download from the King’s College London website:

http://www.kcl.ac.uk/biohealth/research/divisions/chaps/study/easaaviation/index.aspx

The completed form should be forwarded to the Postgraduate Officer (Av Med) at the following
address:

Postgraduate Programmes Officer (Aviation Medicine),
Academic Centre (room 1.33),
Henriette Raphael Building,
King’s College London,
Guy’s Campus,
London SE1 1UL

Telephone: +44 (0)20 7848 6708
email: avmed@kcl.ac.uk

Applications will be considered by the course Programme Director and applicants will be notified of
the result as soon as possible.

Contacts
General enquiries and applications

Postgraduate Officer (Aviation Medicine) – as above

Programme Director Aviation Medicine

Professor David Gradwell

Centre of Human and Aerospace Physiological Sciences

Shepherds House (room 4.1)

King’s College London

Guy’s Campus London

SE1 1UL

Telephone: +44 (0)20 7848 6306

email: david.gradwell@kcl.ac.uk

Aerospace Medical Programmes Manager

Mrs Babs Hubbold

Shepherds House (room 4.2)

King’s College London

Guy’s Campus London

SE1 1UL

Telephone: +44 (0)20 7848 6326

email: barbara.hubbold@kcl.ac.uk

Useful reference sources:
‘Ernsting’s Aviation Medicine’ (Fourth Edition) edited by DJ Rainford and D P Gradwell (ISBN 0-340-
81319-9)

Published by Edward Arnold Ltd.

www.hoddereducation.com

This is the standard textbook of aviation medicine. It applies current understanding in medicine,
physiology and the behavioural sciences to the environment and the stresses encountered by those
who fly. The breadth and depth of coverage, however, is considerably greater than that required by
students on the Basic and Advanced Aviation Medicine Courses and it should be regarded as a
reference work.

‘Aviation Medicine and the Airline Passenger’ edited by A R C Cummin and A N Nicholson 2002 (ISBN
0-340-80637-0)

Published by Hodder Arnold Ltd. Tel 020 7873 6000

www.arnoldpublishers.com

A useful text to assist in understanding clinical medicine relevant to the aviation environment. The
book includes some chapters on the aviation environment itself, but it is concerned mainly with
medical issues that involve the airline passenger.

‘Human Performance and Limitations in Aviation’ (Third Edition) R D Campbell and M Bagshaw (ISBN
0-632-05965-6)

Published by Blackwell Publishing, Oxford. Tel 01865 206206

www.blackwell-science.com

Originally written for pilots to provide a readable introduction to the basic concepts of physiology
and human factors in aviation.

Rayman's Clinical Aviation Medicine, 2013. Edited by Russell B Rayman et al. Published by Castle
Connolly Graduate Medical Publishing

www.ccgmp.com

A useful, fairly concise and comprehensive overview of clinical aviation medicine, but from a US
perspective.

Human Factors for Pilots, R Green, H Muir, M James, D Gradwell & R Green. Ashgate Publishing.

Written for pilots preparing for the CAA Human factors and aviation medicine examination.

CAA Policy for the Certification of new Aeromedical Examiners (AMEs)

                           Compulsory Requirements to become ANY Class of UK AME

 Medical Licensing         Valid unrestricted full UK General Medical Council Registration with a
                           License to Practise,
                           OR
                           If overseas, equivalent medical registration/licence with the National
                           Medical Regulator in the country of medical practise

 Higher          Medical Certificate of Completion of Specialist Training or equivalent
 Training                AND
                         Full accreditation to practise as a physician in a single area of medical
                         practice e.g. occupational medicine, general practice, medical/surgical
                         specialty, radiology, anaesthesiology.

                           Compulsory Requirements to          Compulsory Requirements
                           become a UK Class 2 AME             to become a UK Class 1 AME
                           (to perform Class 2 private pilot   (to perform Class 2 private pilot,
                           medical examinations)               Class 1 professional pilot and
                                                               European Class 3 ATCO medical
                                                               examinations)

 Aviation    Medicine Basic Course in Aviation Medicine Basic Course in Aviation Medicine
 Training Courses       *                               AND
 Passes gained in final                                 Advanced Course in Aviation Medicine
 exams                                                  *

 UK     CAA      AME UK CAA             AME   Administration UK CAA AME Administration Course
 Training Course     Course

 Total Points Score        At least 1 point                    At least 2 points
 Points Scoring System +

* Diploma (from King’s College London or University of Otago) or a higher qualification in Aviation
Medicine
(eg MSc in Aviation Medicine) confers exemption from both the Basic and the Advanced Courses in
Aviation Medicine.

Please see the link below to the Civil Aviation Authority for further information about becoming an
AME.

http://www.caa.co.uk/default.aspx?catid=1859&pagetype=90&pageid=9567

+   Points Scoring System

Aviation              Diploma or a higher qualification in Aviation Medicine                    2 points
Medicine              (King’s College London or University of Otago only)
Qualifications
Aviation              One year of full-time (or part-time equivalent) Aviation Medicine         1 point
Medicine              practice e.g. airline medical staff, air ambulance work, regulator, air
Experience            force, air traffic control
                      OR                                                                        OR
                      Two years or more of full-time (or part-time equivalent) Aviation         2 points
                      Medicine Practice, as above
Flying                ICAO PPL/EASA LAPL/UK NPPL or equivalent                                  1 point
Experience            Introduction to Multi-crew Jet Operations Course
(licences/ratings     OR                                                                        OR
can have expired)     ICAO CPL/ICAO Instrument Rating                                           2 points

     General medicine

     Only in exceptional cases, for example remote geographical location, will consideration
     be given to the approval of new medical examiners who do not meet the above criteria.
     Approval criteria for AMEs based outside the UK or Crown Dependencies In addition to
     the approval criteria for UK AMEs, applicants practising outside the UK or Crown
     Dependencies should meet the registration, licensing and fitness to practise
     requirements of the relevant National Medical Regulatory body (rather than the UK
     GMC) and will be required to hold an Aeromedical Examiner approval from their National
     Aviation Authority.
     Note 1) The UK will not appoint an AME practising in an EASA mutually recognised
     state.