Best Aeromedical Podcasts (2026)

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Holiday Happiness in the "Land of Misfit Toys" 13:56

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6d ago13:56

13:56

Send us a text Many pilots who have visited the Mayo Clinic Section of Transportation Medicine had early Christmas presents this year when they received their medical certificates. On this episode, we review some of those cases and update listeners on the newest FAA aeromedical certification changes released this month.…

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Discover a "Secret Resource" to Speed Up Your Aeromedical Certification 17:20

1M ago17:20

17:20

Send us a text As the holiday season approaches, one gift to pilots is the AME Guide available from the FAA on line as an insider resource to aviators preparing for their flight physicals. Think of preparation for a flight physical as a pre-flight inspection of yourself. Medical conditions never seem to strike at convenient times, so having an onli…

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Seeing Through Glaucoma 15:28

1M ago15:28

15:28

Send us a text On this episode, we review glaucoma, one of the most common causes of visual acuity loss in older adults and gradually affects visual field of pilots if not detected early. That early detection is a key factor in preventing its effects. What about aeromedical certification implications? Is there CACI criteria available for glaucoma? …

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Certification After Sudden Cardiac Death Episodes or with Brugada Pattern on ECG 20:28

2M ago20:28

20:28

Send us a text On this episode, we access a world expert on complex cardiac arrhythmias that can result in sudden cardiac death. Can a pilot resuscitated on the flight deck or in the field actually get back to flight duty? What trends are being seen in the FAA cardiology panel when it comes to consideration of these conditions? Why is it important …

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Wheeze Bad -- A Short Primer on Certification with Respiratory Issues 23:12

2M ago23:12

23:12

Send us a text On this episode, we interview Dr. Wigdan Farah, a pulmonologist in Mayo Clinic's Division of Pulmonary & Critical Care Medicine to discuss several respiratory conditions seen commonly in pilots seeking medical certification -- then review aeromedical implications and requirements.By Mayo Clinic Aerospace Medicine

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Legal Beagles - Aeromedical Certification from the Perspective of an Aviation Attorney 23:07

3M ago23:07

23:07

Send us a text On this episode, we ask a few questions of an aviation attorney as it pertains to aeromedical certification. How worried do pilots need to be about falsification on on a medical application -- intended or unintended? What is the liability for using BasicMed as an alternative to aeromedical certification? What are the most common case…

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Our Favourites: #91 Station boss Carol's helicopter hit the power line, then hit the ground 46:12

3M ago46:12

46:12

There are plenty of strong and resilient women across rural and remote Australia, and Carol Godfrey is a wonderful example. Managing and living on a large pastoral property in South West Queensland, Carol Godfrey has seen it all. One day in 2011, when she had to move 500 cattle to a neighbours property, the cattle were released (by another person) …

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Government shutdown? What now? Let's talk Skin Cancer 15:59

3M ago15:59

15:59

Send us a text On this episode, we review any potential changes in flight physical reviews on the basis of the government shutdown. In addition, with the outstanding weather this fall in the upper Midwest, we review ultraviolet radiation effects as it pertains to skin cancer and how that can affect aeromedical certification.…

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Our Favourites: #76 Stephen Peacocke reflects on his TV role as 'flight nurse Pete' 34:29

3M ago34:29

34:29

To celebrate the recent release of Season 3 of the TV drama RFDS, we're re-visiting our Flying Doctor Podcast interview with renowned Australian actor, Stephen Peacocke - who plays flight nurse 'Pete Emerson' in the series. Stephen shares his memories of growing up in regional NSW, mustering cattle by motorbike on a remote station, becoming an acto…

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FAA Updates from the Civil Aviation Medical Association meeting and AME Grand Rounds 16:55

3M ago16:55

16:55

Send us a text On this episode, we discuss items learned at the Civil Aviation Medical Association meeting (CAMA) in Spokane, Washington along with a few updates from the FAA communicated on the recent AME Grand Rounds held virtually this past week.By Mayo Clinic Aerospace Medicine

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Our Favourites: #6 What did Leroy do to save his life, as his blood was draining out 24:16

3M ago24:16

24:16

In a remote community some 175 kilometers from Broken Hill, a band of local volunteers are cleaning up after a Christmas event, when young Leroy Henderson’s life is changed forever… +++ Thanks so much for listening to the Flying Doctor Podcast. It is lovely to have you along on the journey with us. There has been some wonderful feedback from listen…

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Our Favourites: #27 Jeff fell into a near boiling thermal mud pool in remote SA! 30:21

4M ago30:21

30:21

They were in the middle of the remote Birdsville track. Sandy dunes and red desert stony plains...and steaming hot thermal springs. Nigel climbs out of the 4WD for a rest break and then hears a scream like he has never heard before… +++ Thanks so much for listening to the Flying Doctor Podcast. It is lovely to have you along on the journey with us.…

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Our Favourites: #64 Heat and dehydration has stopped Richard's heart 8 times... 43:01

4M ago43:01

43:01

Opal miner, Richard Hawkins, lives in one of the harshest environments on the planet - Andamooka in remote South Australia. Though he knows well the protocols to prevent deadly dehydration in the extreme desert heat, Richard has learnt some lessons in recent years. **** We hope you enjoyed this special episode, which we’ve shared from our incredibl…

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Will Low Platelet Counts Prevent Issuing a Medical Certificate? 14:07

4M ago14:07

14:07

Send us a text 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 enough platelets, and why the FAA even cares. Having a good plan in place with your AME to deal with this condition is important when considering aerom…

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Our Favourites: #60 BAM! The Ambulance Hit a Roo, while Kate was in Labour... 41:56

4M ago41:56

41:56

The first week in September is Jean Hailes Women’s Health Week - Australia’s largest event dedicated to the health and wellbeing of all women, girls and gender-diverse people. To celebrate and support Women's Health week in the bush, we'd like you to meet a very special Mum, who was interviewed by the Flying Doctor Podcast back in 2022! Kate Napier…

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Atrial Fibrillation: A Fluttering Heart and Aeromedical Implications 21:21

4M ago21:21

21:21

Send us a text 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 and how difficult the challenge is to obtain a medical waiver for the condition.By Mayo Clinic Aerospace Medicine

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Our Favourites: #77 Meet the inspirational Dr Katrina Starmer 32:23

4M ago32:23

32:23

RFDS Emergency Physician and GP, Dr Katrina Starmer, is a true inspiration within the field of rural and remote health care. This month, to celebrate Dr Katrina's recent 'Community Bush Champion' nomination at the National Bush Summit, we re-visit Katrina's fascinating journey to becoming an Outback Doc. From growing up in Townsville to fulfilling …

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Head Trauma and the Pilot: Boo boo on the Noggin' to Skull Fractures and Brain Bleeds 19:59

4M ago19:59

19:59

Send us a text 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 episode, we review the various levels of severity of head trauma as defined by the FAA and navigate direct paths to aeromedical certification.…

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Our Favourites: #50 A 10-year old boy was snorkelling when a shark attacked… 43:58

5M ago43:58

43:58

Rachel and Blake Bartlett were many months into a wonderful journey of travelling around Australia with their three kids in a caravan. While snorkelling on the coast at Coral Bay, everything changed when their 10 year old son Jackson was bitten by a shark. **** We hope you enjoyed this special episode, which we’ve shared from our incredible archive…

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Our Favourites: #47 A speeding boat full of tourists collides with a rock wall in remote WA... 49:32

5M ago49:32

49:32

Dr Sally Edmonds talks of the RFDS response to the severe boat accident that occurred in May 2022 in the remote location of Horizontal Falls - where there was no access by road and some 26 patients had to be transported to hospital. **** We hope you enjoyed this special episode, which we’ve shared from our incredible archive of 140 Flying Doctor ya…

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Searching for the "Cog" in the Wheels of the Mind: Neuropsychology Testing in Pilots 23:20

5M ago23:20

23:20

Send us a text 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 conditions such as depression, ADHD, prior drug or alcohol disorders, and past head trauma. We ask what to do, and what not to do as part of these tes…

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Our Favourites: #31 A skydiving lesson gone wrong changes Joe Chiver's life forever 46:44

5M ago46:44

46:44

As Joe and his instructor drifted down from 12,000 feet, it was serene and peaceful, until his parachute suddenly collapsed 10 storeys from the ground, and they plummeted... **** We hope you enjoyed this special episode, which we’ve shared from our incredible archive of 140 Flying Doctor yarns! It is lovely to have you along on the journey with us …

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Alphabet Soup of Aeromedical Certification Acronyms 24:12

5M ago24:12

24:12

Send us a text 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 those terms so you can impress friends and family at the hangar or pilot domicile.By Mayo Clinic Aerospace Medicine

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Our Favourites: #23 How did an experienced horse rider find herself in a life or death situation? 37:22

5M ago37:22

37:22

Gladstone warmth. Blue, blue day. Dogs, birds, horses and kids. Rachael is out for a pleasant ride with a friend but the unexpected occurs. **** We hope you enjoyed this special episode, which we’ve shared from our incredible archive of 140 Flying Doctor yarns! It is lovely to have you along on the journey with us and we look forward to bringing yo…

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EAA's AirVenture Highlights and Hosting an FAA AME Refresher Seminar 11:26

5M ago11:26

11:26

Send us a text 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 -- along with outlining the framework for an upcoming AME refresher seminar to be held by the FAA Education Division on the Mayo Clinic campus.…

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Our Favourites: #9 How did David do CPR on himself to stay alive? 45:34

5M ago45:34

45:34

Immense stands of Iron-Bark. Crisp sunny morning. 16 yr old David Donavon is checking for storm damage along the 15km boundaries of a remote property, but has no idea that shortly he will be gasping for oxygen and on a dash to save his own life… **** We hope you enjoyed this special episode, which we’ve shared from our incredible archive of 140 Fly…

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Our Favourites: #5 When crocodiles attack, but no-one is around to help you.. 28:19

6M ago28:19

28:19

Hot and sticky. Experienced Ranger is fishing in the Cape when a crocodile launches out of the water and mauls him, hundreds of kilometres from a hospital… Katrina Starmer, RFDS Medical Officer recalls the retrieval. **** We hope you enjoyed this special episode, which we’ve shared from our incredible archive of 140 Flying Doctor yarns! It is lovel…

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Our Favourites: #4 How pregnant Michelle dealt with such a life-changing injury 21:43

6M ago21:43

21:43

Young mother of two Michelle Dowsett suffered a shocking and confronting accident that stunned first responders. Michelle’s rare and life-threatening scalp injury required fast action to save not just her, but her unborn baby’s life as well! **** We hope you enjoyed this special episode, which we’ve shared from our incredible archive of 140 Flying …

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#140 New Mum Lil was Bleeding Out on her Bathroom Floor 1:01:32

6M ago1:01:32

1:01:32

After the safe arrival of her second baby, Poppy, Lil Bryant was anxious to return home from hospital to the peace and sanctuary of Mount Doreen Station - some 400km northwest of Alice Springs. Eagerly awaiting her return was her toddler son Dawson and hubbie Sam, along with Lil's beloved outback 'station family' of employees. But just nine days af…

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What Happens When an AME is the Patient/Pilot? 17:30

6M ago17:30

17:30

Send us a text 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 how to best prepare for undergoing a flight physical before showing up.By Mayo Clinic Aerospace Medicine

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#139 Ben Brooksby Bares All - Meet Australia's Naked Farmer! 39:01

6M ago39:01

39:01

Ben Brooksby is in a good place. The fifth generation SA farmer - and founder of the Naked Farmer social media phenomenon - and his partner have just welcomed a beautiful baby girl into their family. And their passion and commitment to sustainable farming is literally blossoming before their eyes! But life wasn't always this good. As a young rural …

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Dark Pee? Think Hep C! Navigating FAA Certification with Hepatitis 12:47

7M ago12:47

12:47

Send us a text 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 pilots who contract this sneaky virus.By Mayo Clinic Aerospace Medicine

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#138 Fergus's Fight to Survive - after Flipping his 4WD 35:25

7M ago35:25

35:25

New Zealand’s Fergus Gunn considers himself a very lucky man. He is still working in a job he loves, he has a great bunch of friends and a loving, close-knit family…and he’s alive! Because on the day he rolled a 4WD while checking fences on the remote NT property of Brunette Downs, back in October 2015, it was only thanks to a series of ‘lucky’ inc…

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#137 Camille Overcame Anorexia as an Outback Teenager 33:29

7M ago33:29

33:29

The stunning images and videos that WA cattle farmer Camille McClymont shares with her Instagram followers each week, perfectly capture the epic landscapes, red dust sunsets and daily farm chores of remote station life. Camille and her husband Jack, along with their young son Lachlan, manage some 16,000 head of cattle over many thousands of hectare…

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#136 Having a Ball in Broken Hill! 38:19

7M ago38:19

38:19

In this very special episode of the Flying Doctor Podcast, we're taking you on a remote rural road trip to the famous outback community of Broken Hill. And we have a Golden Ticket to one of the region's premier events! From Priscilla, Queen of the Desert to Mad Max, the remote red dirt region made world-famous on the silver screen is known as outba…

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Leading for the Future of Aerospace Medicine 29:25

7M ago29:25

29:25

Send us a text 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 Force along with 15 additional years guiding the leading specialty organization for Aerospace Medicine culminate with the annual Scientific Meeting sche…

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#135 Remote Rescues & Red Dust Runways. Meet RFDS Pilot Dave Rogers. 31:08

7M ago31:08

31:08

When Melbourne-born Dave Rogers first caught the flying bug as a teenager, he wasn't even sure where a pilot's license might take him. But after honing his skills and flight hours as an instructor - and then spending three years flying small aircraft over (and onto!) the most remote and treacherous landscapes of Papua New Guinea - today Dave is a h…

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#134 No Time for Makeup. A Magical Outback Medical Memoir. 48:46

8M ago48:46

48:46

From childhood memories of travelling the remote Kimberley landscapes of the 1960's, to arriving in a skirt and heels onto a remote WA airstrip in Kalgoorlie as a freshly minted RFDS Doctor, Dr Elizabeth Green's new memoir is an engaging, time-travelling treat. While Elizabeth was only 'officially' with the RFDS for two and a half years in the last…

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Cheating on the FAA Medical Application Form 8500-8 (or Just an Oversight)?? 24:59

8M ago24:59

24:59

Send us a text 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 or fines. How does one balance the need to be complete with that of unnecessary worry about missing a non-relevant medical visit?…

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#133 The Wild and Wonderful World of One Tree Island 33:06

8M ago33:06

33:06

Many of us have probably dreamed of running away to a deserted island! But what if you actually lived on one, 365 days of the year? Ruby and Heinrich (and their toddler Lucas) are the full-time caretakers of Qld's remote One Tree Island. But as well as dealing with the daily and often extreme 'remote work' challenges of keeping an island - and all …

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Spring Brings Pollen and a Push for Supercharging ATC Hiring 14:53

8M ago14:53

14:53

Send us a text 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 navigate using antihistamines and other medications without jeopardizing their medical certificate.By Mayo Clinic Aerospace Medicine

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#132 Finding a Rhyme and a Reason for Every Season 31:44

8M ago31:44

31:44

Trigger Warning: This episode contains content about suicide. "The black dog follows you...and hangs close on your flying skirts with hungry fangs". So said the ancient Roman poet Horace some 2000 years ago, as he struggled with his own 'inner demons'. Yet even today, despite our growing understanding around the science and prevalence of mental hea…

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The FAA is Listening: Do You Know About the "3Es?" 20:53

8M ago20:53

20:53

Send us a text 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 into how the FAA's medical divisions could improve -- and they're listening. On this episode, we review the updates from the latest information session…

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#131 Sean Survived a Shark Attack. Now he's Snowboarding for Australia 42:40

8M ago42:40

42:40

When Sean Pollard felt something 'bump' his leg while surfing off the Esperance coastline back in 2014, he had no idea what had hit him. Until the 3.5 meter Great White Shark that was attacking him, came back for another bite. Seconds later, having lost an arm and his other hand, Sean realised his only chance of survival was to swim some 100 meters…

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FAA Certification for the "Baby Brother of Diabetes" -- Pre-Diabetes 13:24

8M ago13:24

13:24

Send us a text 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 require Special Issuance Authorization. What are the newer drugs allowed and what is required to obtain or keep your medical certificate?…

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#130 A Rare Tumour was Strangling Simon's Spine 24:07

8M ago24:07

24:07

Simon Green isn't the first country bloke to put off going to the Doctor. But when an extremely rare and sinister tumour began snaking its way down his spine, time was not on the father of three's side. In less than four weeks, his symptoms morphed from mild discomfort to nerve tingling to full-blown paralysis of his lower body. With Simon's condit…

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HIMS -- Not just a Pronoun! 12:52

9M ago12:52

12:52

Send us a text 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 or flight deck. HIMS-trained AMEs, neuropsychologists, and psychiatrists in conjunction with employers, union representatives, and other support organ…

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#129 From Boots to Scrubs - Chloe's Coo-ee to Country Girls 41:48

9M ago41:48

41:48

For many remote and rural country kids, the dream of one day becoming a Doctor is just that. A dream. Because the challenges of vast distances to school and study, a lack of mentors and the often-daunting University entry pathways can all seem insurmountable. But the founder of the Boots to Scrubs scholarship and mentoring program for young rural w…

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#128 Bull dust, chandelier skies and a whiff of wombat 41:13

9M ago41:13

41:13

After experiencing a childhood filled with outback road trips, RFDS Policy and Advocacy Advisor Doug Wyllie carries the red dust of a million miles of the Australian outback in his veins. From the stories of wearing swimming goggles while his parents negotiated driving along an outback road without a windscreen, to the real-life RFDS rescue mission…

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"I passed out and I have no idea what happened." Now what? 20:18

9M ago20:18

20:18

Send us a text 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 testing required for FAA purposes can be critical. On this episode, we discuss the aeromedical implications of syncope and stand down times depending on t…