Aeromedical Examiners (AME)
Many of those interested in Aeromedical work look to become Aeromedical Examiners. With all aircrew and many ground crew all requiring medical clearance before undertaking and whilst in permanent employment, whilst the client market is small, there are only a handful of qualified AME’s so demand is high. Numbers of AME’s have declined over the last 10 years mainly due to retirements and the U.K. needs to seriously look to turn this trend around as the industry recovers post the COVID-19 Pandemic.
Training Costs: £3,560 for basic course, £3,780 for add-on advanced course.
Starting Salary: £45,800+ pa
Potential Salary: £110,000+ pa
Trend: POSITIVE. There has long been a shortage of AME doctors in the aviation sector and demand is currently outstripping availability. However whilst the additional training requirements are not onerous, you must already be a medical practitioner before enrolling on the courses.
Training Costs: £3,560 for basic course, £3,780 for add-on advanced course.
Starting Salary: £45,800+ pa
Potential Salary: £110,000+ pa
Trend: POSITIVE. There has long been a shortage of AME doctors in the aviation sector and demand is currently outstripping availability. However whilst the additional training requirements are not onerous, you must already be a medical practitioner before enrolling on the courses.
Trend: upwards
Many of those interested in Aeromedical work look to become Aeromedical Examiners. With all aircrew and many ground crew all requiring medical clearance before undertaking and whilst in permanent employment, whilst the client market is small, there are only a handful of qualified AME’s so demand is high. Numbers of AME’s have declined over the last 10 years mainly due to retirements and the U.K. needs to seriously look to turn this trend around as the industry recovers post the COVID-19 Pandemic.
Training Costs: £3,560 for basic course, £3,780 for add-on advanced course.
Starting Salary: £45,800+ pa
Potential Salary: £110,000+ pa
Trend: POSITIVE. There has long been a shortage of AME doctors in the aviation sector and demand is currently outstripping availability. However whilst the additional training requirements are not onerous, you must already be a medical practitioner before enrolling on the courses.
Training Costs: £3,560 for basic course, £3,780 for add-on advanced course.
Starting Salary: £45,800+ pa
Potential Salary: £110,000+ pa
Trend: POSITIVE. There has long been a shortage of AME doctors in the aviation sector and demand is currently outstripping availability. However whilst the additional training requirements are not onerous, you must already be a medical practitioner before enrolling on the courses.
Salary: £45,800 - £110,000
Qualifications:
University
Rewards
- High demand so job security good
- Training fees not excessive
Challenges
- Not something you can do straight from school - requires significant investment in time and finances to become a degree qualified medical practitioner.
Next Steps
Qualifications for training (Academic):
A medical degree (eg. MBBS) or international equivalent is required to enrol on the Basic Course and the Basic Course must be completed before enrolling on the advanced course. Those wishing to consider research activities around an AME career, it is recommended that you also consider a Post Graduate Diploma in Aerospace Medicine, a course which is around six months of study.
Personal
You must be a practicing medical practitioner before specialising in Aeromedicine. Medical degree courses are generally 5 years and have to be recognised by the general Medical Council. In addition to this you must typically complete a two year foundation course in general training, followed by three years in general practice.
Training
There are two levels of training required to become an AME. Everyone must qualify on the Basic Course in Aviation Medicine (BCAM) which meets the educational requirements to issue Class 2 medical privileges.
Additionally there is the Advanced Course in Aviation Medicine (ACAM) which builds on the foundations of the basic course and meets the educational requirements to apply for Class 1 certification privileges.
Each of the above courses are approximately two weeks training in duration and are at your own expense. Additional costs are accommodation during the courses and appropriate administration fees.
Of note, completion of either of these courses does not allow you to exercise those privileges until you have subsequently applied to and been accepted by the National Aviation Authority.
Routes to the career
– Leave compulsory education with GCSEs and A-Levels in order to progress to a degree course in Medicine.
– Complete a five year degree in Medicine
– Complete a two year general training course
– Complete an additional three years in General Practice
– Complete the Basic and Advanced Aeromedicine Courses
– be accepted by the Civil Aviation Authority to exercise the AME privileges.