Aviation Medical Center

It ensures that flight-related personnel and candidates maintain their physical, mental, and psychological health, and that flight safety is ensured by conducting health examinations in accordance with national and international regulations.
The Aeromedical Center aims to answer frequently asked questions, inform flight crews, the public, and aviation medicine professionals, guide aviation medicine practices, and provide direction to those who need emergency medical services and equipment.

 

Authorized Aviation Medical Examiner (AME)

An Authorized Aviation Medical Examiner is a physician authorized by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation to issue reports and medical certificates regarding the fitness of pilots, cabin crew, and air traffic controllers in Turkey for their flight duties, based on initial and periodic medical examinations conducted according to national and international standards. They may also be referred to as Aviation Physicians or Aviation Doctors.

Authorized Aviation Medical Examiners may work in healthcare institutions or organizations authorized by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation. They perform aviation medical examinations for the class and region they are authorized for.

 

Pilot Medical Certificate

A pilot is a person who operates and manages an aircraft, either privately or professionally. Before obtaining pilot licenses for commercial or private purposes, individuals must obtain a medical certificate appropriate for their class.
In Turkey, the medical standards for aviators are determined by the Aviation Medical Directive (SHT-MED) and ICAO (International Civil Aviation Organization) Annex 1.

 

Regulations:

• Aviation Medical Directive (SHT-MED)
• Directive on Alcohol and Psychoactive Substance Controls for Aviation Personnel Subject to Control (SHT-APAM), “Alcohol and psychoactive substances to be tested”
• Aviation Examinations, Medical Certificate, and Medical Examination Report Procedures – Annex 1
• Authorization of Aviation Medical Examiners and Authorized Physicians
• EASA Easy Access Rules for Medical Requirements
• AMC and GM to Part-MED
• Source Documents and Algorithm
• ICAO Annex 1
• EU Commission Regulations (1178-2011) – Turkish Version – Latest Version
• Manual of Civil Aviation (ICAO) – 8984 – Turkish Version
• Medical Manual (IATA)
• ICAO 9654 – Preventing Substance Use in Aviation Workspace – Turkish Version
• EU legislation updates on health for informational purposes 1 – 2

 

Cabin Crew Members and Other Aviation Personnel

Cabin crew members, defined as those responsible for implementing necessary safety and security measures and ensuring passenger comfort on passenger aircraft, must undergo medical examinations at Authorized Aeromedical Centers before starting work and every 5 years thereafter, in accordance with the Aviation Medical Directive (SHT-MED) and the Circular on Aviation Examinations, Medical Certificates, and Medical Examination Report Procedures – Annex 1.

Other aviation personnel, including air traffic controllers (ATC), UAV-2 and UAV-3 pilots, and—except for flight operations specialists defined in the Dispatchers Flight Operations Specialist Licensing Regulation (SHY-UHU) published in the Official Gazette dated 16/03/2016 and numbered 29655—those not specified in this regulation and its annexes, must obtain a medical report indicating physical, mental, and psychological fitness and no health-related restrictions for performing their defined duties. This report can be issued by fully equipped hospitals, AeMCs, AMEs authorized under Article 13 of this Directive, or authorized physicians, and must be renewed every five (5) years.

Medical Certificate and Report Procedures Applied in Our Hospital

Pilot
Required documents:

1. Two photographs
2. Previous medical certificate
3. Fasting on the day of the examination (breakfast is provided)
4. Identity card (passport)

Cabin Crew Members and Other Aviation Personnel
Required documents:

1. Two photographs
2. Previous medical certificate
3. Fasting on the day of the examination (breakfast is provided)
4. Identity card (passport)

Note: Those using glasses or contact lenses must bring them for periodic examinations.
All procedures are generally completed by around noon, accompanied by a dedicated staff member.

Initial Medical Examination and Initial Medical Certificate Issuance Procedures:

1. Applicants for Class 1 and Class 2 Medical Certificates undergo their initial aviation medical examination at AeMCs; applicants for LAPL Medical Certificates undergo the examination at AeMC, AME, or by Authorized Physicians.
2. The aviation medical examination is conducted in accordance with the examination scopes specified in the “Aviation Examination, Certificate, and Report Procedure” (Annex), and mandatory data fields in the BYS (Information Management System) application are filled out.
3. Medical standard documents and tests from the examination are prepared in compliance with the forms specified in the EASA Decision 2012/006/R, which brings acceptable means of compliance (AMC) and guidance material (GM) to the EU Commission Regulation 1178/2011, and in accordance with the “Initial Medical Certificate Issuance Application and Control Form (FR.38)” published on the Directorate General’s website and included in the BYS application.
4. If a “Fit” decision is made, applicants for Class 1 and Class 2 Medical Certificates submit the petition (FR.37) available on the Directorate General’s website and in the BYS application to the AeMC on the date the aviation examination is completed, for medical certificate processing.
5. If the certificate fee is not paid through the Directorate General’s “Service Fee Payment System” (https://takas.shgm.gov.tr) within 6 months after the completion date of the aviation examination, medical certificate processing will not be carried out.
6. Medical certificates for applicants whose initial medical certificates will be issued by AMS (Class 1 and 2) are sent by post to the address specified in the petition. If the petition includes the statement authorizing an institution representative to collect the certificate in person or have it mailed to the institution address, the relevant institution may carry out the process on behalf of the applicant.
7. If a “Fit” decision is made for the LAPL initial medical examination, the medical certificate is issued by the AeMC, AME, or Authorized Physician and delivered to the applicant.
8. Once the issued documents are sent to the AMS via the BYS application, they are filed by the examiner. If requested, an “original copy” certified version can be provided to the applicant.
9. If an “Unfit” decision is made, the examination is uploaded to the BYS application, no medical certificate is issued, and the AMS is notified.

Periodic Aviation Examinations and Medical Certificate Issuance Procedures

1. Aviation personnel who have been issued an initial medical certificate by the Directorate General or by an EASA member state’s authorized medical institution or examiner (with mutual recognition) and whose medical certificate has not expired for more than 5 years may undergo periodic aviation medical examinations.
2. Holders of Class 1 and Class 2 Medical Certificates apply to AeMC or AME; holders of LAPL Medical Certificates apply to an AeMC, AME, or Authorized Physician for a periodic aviation medical examination (Renewal/Extension/Expanded Medical Examination) appropriate to their class.
3. The periodic medical examination is conducted according to the scopes specified in the “Aviation Examination, Certificate, and Report Procedure,” and mandatory data fields in the BYS application are filled out.
4. Medical standard documents and tests from the examination are prepared in compliance with the EASA Decision 2012/006/R and the “Initial Medical Certificate Issuance Application and Control Form (FR.38)” published on the Directorate General’s website and included in the BYS application.
5. If a “Fit” decision is made, the medical certificate is issued and delivered to the applicant.
6. Once the issued documents are sent to the AMS via the BYS application, they are filed by the examiner. If requested, an “original copy” certified version can be provided to the applicant.
7. If an “Unfit” decision is made, the examination is uploaded to the BYS application, no medical certificate is issued, and the AMS is notified.

Cabin Crew Member

1. Cabin crew members and candidates holding a basic training certificate, as well as other aviation personnel, undergo an aviation medical examination by AeMC, AME, or Authorized Physicians to obtain a medical report.
2. Medical standard documents and tests from the examination are prepared in accordance with the “Medical Report Issuance Application and Control Form (FR.44)” published on the Directorate General’s website and included in the BYS application.
3. The aviation medical examination is conducted according to the scopes specified in the “Aviation Examination, Certificate, and Report Procedure,” and mandatory data fields in the BYS application are filled out.
4. If a “Fit” decision is made, the medical examination report is issued and delivered to the applicant.
5. Once the issued documents are sent to the Air Medical Unit (AMS) via the BYS application, they are filed by the examiner. If requested, an “original copy” certified version can be provided to the applicant.
6. If an “Unfit” decision is made, the examination is uploaded to the BYS application, no medical examination report is issued, and the AMS is notified.

Regulations:

• Aviation Medical Directive (SHT-MED)
• Directive on Alcohol and Psychoactive Substance Controls for Aviation Personnel Subject to Control (SHT-APAM), “Alcohol and psychoactive substances to be tested”
• Aviation Examinations, Medical Certificate, and Medical Examination Report Procedures – Annex 1
• Authorization of Aviation Medical Examiners and Authorized Physicians
• EASA Easy Access Rules for Medical Requirements
• AMC and GM to Part-MED
• Source Documents and Algorithm
• ICAO Annex 1
• EU Commission Regulations (1178-2011) – Turkish Version – Latest Version
• Manual of Civil Aviation (ICAO) – 8984 – Turkish Version
• Medical Manual (IATA)
• ICAO 9654 – Preventing Substance Use in Aviation Workspace – Turkish Version
• EU legislation updates on health for informational purposes 1 – 2
• Cabin Operations Safety Best Practice Guide