Mayo Clinic Clear Approach
Mayo Clinic Clear Approach tackles medical topics important to commercial aviators, recreational pilots, or just folks interested in things that fly. Current topics from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), and aviation trends are explored in a serious but sometimes humorous way. Mayo Clinic Clear Approach focuses on a perspective from "the other side of the gurney." Let us navigate the storms of aeromedical certification, medical issues that may affect pilots, and share experiences with and from other pilots to break through life's sometimes stormy clouds and focus in on a clear approach.
- Update frequency
- every 12 days
- Average duration
- 18 minutes
- Episodes
- 89
- Years Active
- 2020 - 2025
Will Low Platelet Counts Prevent Issuing a Medical Certificate?
A certain portion of pilots develop low platelet counts, otherwise known as thrombocytopenia. On this episode, we look at how platelets work in the body, what happens if there are not …
Atrial Fibrillation: A Fluttering Heart and Aeromedical Implications
Atrial fibrillation is one of the most common forms of heart arrhythmia that require Special Issuance Authorization from the FAA. On this episode, we review what testing is required an…
Head Trauma and the Pilot: Boo boo on the Noggin' to Skull Fractures and Brain Bleeds
Falls, crashes, and other events resulting in head trauma are never planned but can have significant consequences for a pilot's ability to maintain a medical certificate. On this episo…
Searching for the "Cog" in the Wheels of the Mind: Neuropsychology Testing in Pilots
On this episode, we visit with an FAA-trained neuropsychologist -- an expert in the field of testing cognitive ability -- often required as part of medical certification in pilots with …
Alphabet Soup of Aeromedical Certification Acronyms
Many times in the process of obtaining an aviation medical certificate, pilots come across acronyms and terms typically unfamiliar to most people. On this episode, we decipher some of t…
EAA's AirVenture Highlights and Hosting an FAA AME Refresher Seminar
On this episode, the podcast returns Mitch and Clay from extended vacations to review highlights from one of the largest aviation events in the country held in Oshkosh, Wisconsin -- alo…
What Happens When an AME is the Patient/Pilot?
Ever wonder what an AME feels like when they have to undergo the scrutiny of a flight physical themselves? On this episode, we reflect on life from the "other side of the gurney" and h…
Dark Pee? Think Hep C! Navigating FAA Certification with Hepatitis
Hepatitis C is a viral infection of the liver that often involves no specific symptoms -- until it is too late. On this episode, we cover a pathway to FAA medical certification in pil…
Leading for the Future of Aerospace Medicine
On this episode, we visit with soon-to-be retired Executive Director of the Aerospace Medical Association, Jeff Sventek. His insights from more than 30 years in the United States Air F…
Cheating on the FAA Medical Application Form 8500-8 (or Just an Oversight)??
On this episode, we discuss a pilot who was charged with making false statements on the FAA medical application form and what implications that might have including possible jail time o…
Spring Brings Pollen and a Push for Supercharging ATC Hiring
On this episode, we review the recently announced FAA strategy for hiring more air traffic controllers -- all while addressing the first pollen burst of the year and how pilots can navi…
The FAA is Listening: Do You Know About the "3Es?"
At the latest AME Grand Rounds, medical examiners heard updates from the FAA regarding a recent listening session in which a variety of aviation-related organizations provided insight i…
FAA Certification for the "Baby Brother of Diabetes" -- Pre-Diabetes
Although a very common condition, the presence of glucose intolerance or what the FAA calls "pre-diabetes" can result in medical certification -- and in some cases, does not even requ…
HIMS -- Not just a Pronoun!
The Human Intervention and Motivational Study, also known as the HIMS Program is an occupational substance abuse treatment program dedicated to helping all pilots return to the cockpit …
"I passed out and I have no idea what happened." Now what?
Episodes of syncope or loss of consciousness can result from something as simple as a brief fainting episode -- up to the level of a severe head injury. How it's documented and the tes…
Scanning the Heart with CT imaging: Good idea for pilots, or not?
On this episode we review the technology of coronary artery CT scanning and CT angiography. Although used as an effective screening tool for certain individuals, is this imaging somethi…
MedXPress or MedXSlow? You Make the Call
The FAA medical application, Form 8500-8, is completed electronically through the electronic platform called MedXPress. Are you ready for your next flight physical? What potential pitfa…
What Happens if Your Kidneys Get Stoned?
On this episode, we review aeromedical certification consequences of passing kidney stones. Major issue or just a "small pebble" in the shoe of a long aviation career? Plus, we break …
Another AME Joins the Mayo Team
On this episode we cover some of the topics discussed at the recent FAA aviation medical examiner grand rounds such as more information on color vision screening and CACI qualification …
So I was Walking Along the Beach Minding My Own Business When.....
From stories of a pilot getting knocked out by a wild horse while walking along a beach to discussing the details of aeromedical certification with bladder cancer, this episode has a li…