Flight Surgeons and Their Extracurricular Flights: An Inside Look

Flight surgeons typically do not pilot aircraft themselves; rather, they are medical doctors specialized in aerospace medicine. Their primary responsibility is to ensure the health and safety of pilots and aircrew members. This includes conducting medical evaluations, providing medical care, and advising on health-related issues that can affect flight performance.

While flight surgeons may have a background in aviation and some may undergo flight training, their role is centered around medical oversight rather than piloting. However, their involvement in aviation extends beyond just the medical aspects. This article explores their extracurricular involvement, focusing on historical and contemporary instances of flight surgeons flying.

Historical Context: Flight Surgeons as Test Pilots

Following World War II and the Korean War, a group of flight surgeons served as test pilots as part of the aerospace medicine application to jet and space flight. This period marked the beginning of advanced aviation technology and was crucial in developing pioneering solutions for aerospace medicine. An example is the author's father, LCDR Jack Moore, who flew over 16 different rotary and fixed-wing aircraft, including 1,000 hours in the F4 Phantom.

This era was a pioneering age of flight before astronauts became the primary heroes. During this time, flight surgeons played a vital role in the advancement of aerospace medicine and aviation technology.

Flight Surgeons and Aviation Training

During the author's tenure as an instructor pilot, flight surgeons would accompany instructors on flights every few months to gain experience. The author recalls flying T-37 and T-38 aircraft, both of which posed unique challenges. The T-37 was unpressurized, requiring special considerations for altitude, while the T-38 was pressurized. These flights helped the flight surgeons understand the physiological challenges faced by both students and instructors.

A notable example is a student who became an instructor, went on to medical school, and eventually became a flight surgeon. He had also earned his USAF pilot wings, demonstrating the flexibility and dedication of aviation professionals. In another instance, when the author flew C-130 aircraft, flight surgeons would sometimes participate in local training flights. The physicians at the pilot training base got to actually fly the airplanes, often alongside instructors.

However, safety was a top priority. After several crashes involving non-rated crew members, the USAF decided to stop flight surgeons from flying as pilots.

Conclusion

The role of flight surgeons in aviation goes beyond just ensuring the health and safety of pilots and aircrew members. Through their involvement in test flights, instructional flights, and medical evaluations, they gain a deeper understanding of the physiological and technical challenges of flight. This collaboration brings together the fields of aviation and medicine, contributing to the advancement of both areas.