Characteristics of medically disqualified airman applicants in calendar years 1982 and 1983.

This study presents comprehensive data reflecting pertinent denial rates regarding the medical and general attributes of those airmen denied medical certification in the calendar years 1982 and 1983, and updates previously reported data with respect to medical certification denials. The annual denial rate based on airman applicants is 6.2 per 1,000. By class of certificate applied for, the annual rate per 1,000 applicants is 3.3 for first class, 3.8 for second class, and 8.6 for third class. As anticipated, general aviation and new applicants contribute greatly to total denials. The most significant causes for denial are cardiovascular, the miscellaneous pathology category (endocrinopathies, disqualifying medications, and administrative), neuropsychiatric and, at a substantially lower level, eye pathology. These updated data on medically disqualified applicants are consistent with expectations and previous findings, with cardiovascular diseases still the number 1 cause for denial.