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.
Episodes
64 episodes
There's a New Kid in Town (and it Isn't Santa!)
Mayo Clinic's Section of Transportation Medicine was joined recently by U.S. Air Force flight surgeon and FAA Senior AME Dr. Sheyna Gifford. On this episode of the podcast, she discusses her philosophies and approaches to a successful flight ph...
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18:00
The Eyes Have It -- Part 2
On this episode, we review changes coming to color vision screening for pilots after January 1, 2025, plus chat with Mayo Clinic optometrist Dr. Muriel Schornack to learn more about everything eyes -- from glaucoma suspects to aviators with coo...
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24:40
Color Vision Testing Changes Are Coming Soon (and Expect More Denial Letters From the FAA on the Horizon)
This week the FAA announced significant changes in screening for color vision deficiency, and also declared a change in how the agency will interface with pilots in the future -- expect more denial letters coming in the mail after the first of ...
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19:42
Is Basic Med Really That Basic?
On this episode we take a look at the current updates on Basic Med announced this past week by the FAA, and also look at a new "fast track" process for adjustment disorder that may allow pilots originally having to go through an extended mental...
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11:40
An "Ironic" Liver Condition
Hemochromatosis is an iron storage disease that affects not only the liver, but also the heart, kidneys, and central nervous system. Although not the most common condition, it is often associated with a genetic abnormality -- and those wi...
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13:47
How to Keep Your Medical When You Are Diagnosed With Low T
Male hypogonadism, otherwise known as "low T" is a common diagnosis received by adult males, including those who operate aircraft. Many medical providers who prescribe testosterone supplements do not "speak airplane," making aeromedical c...
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12:25
The Pet Peeves of AMEs
Ever wonder what can be annoying to your aviation medical examiner? On this episode, we pick a few favorites and jokingly review the top "pet peeves" on the list.
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15:49
Cancer Where It Counts
Although a relatively rare type of cancer, testicular carcinoma affects thousands of individuals each year. On this episode, we discuss what it is and what is required for aeromedical certification.
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13:40
Breast Cancer and Aeromedical Certification
Although breast cancer can be devastating for any individual being diagnosed with the disease, the aeromedical certification process has come full circle and allowed for pilots to obtain their medical certificates relatively easily with appropr...
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16:15
Funnel Chest and Speech Impediments: Autumn has Arrived!
On this episode, we discuss a couple of conditions not commonly seen in pilots but which can make a difference in terms of aeromedical certification. We look at pectus excavatum, otherwise known as "funnel chest," and how pilots with spee...
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15:34
Whole LADA Shakin' Goin' On
LADA, or latent autoimmune diabetes of adults, is often misdiagnosed and is sometimes called "diabetes 1.5." On this episode, we'll review what LADA is, what to look for, and how it affects aeromedical certification.
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16:06
Pace Yourself
Pacemakers are amazing devices that can help regulate heart rhythms, synchronize arrhythmias, and can be career saving for certain pilots. On this episode, we discuss certification requirements for aviators who will need Special Issuance...
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12:56
On Track to Stop the Plaque: Psoriasis and Aeromedical Certification
Psoriasis is a chronic and incurable condition involving the skin that is sometime associated with arthritis and other autoimmune conditions. There are a variety of treatments for this disease and we discuss aeromedical implications to mi...
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21:25
Headscratching Anecdotes Solved for You
In the process of conducting dozens of flight physicals, there are questions that periodically come up when filling out the medical application form. On this episode, we review some of those head-scratching anecdotes and how to efficientl...
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18:02
Ironman Pilots
On this episode, we review aeromedical certification requirements for a relatively uncommon disease called hemochromatosis -- a condition that involves elevated iron levels in the blood that can result in liver failure and may affect mult...
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13:50
Time for a valve job?
In this episode, we go single pilot and cover one of the most common valvular heart issues -- mitral valve regurgitation. For stable established cases of mild severity, a pilot might not even need Special Issuance Authorization. CACI qual...
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12:01
Drones to Stones
Drones, love 'em or hate 'em, are here to stay. The FAA announced groundbreaking approvals this week for commercial drone operations of delivery packages involving unmanned aircraft outside the sight line of drone operators -- paving the way fo...
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26:41
Walking Through AirVenture, the Future of Aviation, and Hepatitis C
On this episode, we reflect on EAA's AirVenture 2024, Boeing's forecast for the future of personnel needs in the field of aviation, and CACI qualification criteria for chronic Hepatitis C.
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16:10
Don't Let High Blood Pressure Bring You Down
One of the most common medical conditions encountered by pilots is elevated blood pressure. On this episode we discuss what is allowed for maximum blood pressure levels, what medications are approved, and the options available to pilots w...
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11:55
Back on Track
Mitch and Clay return from vacation and step back up to the Clear Approach podcast microphone. On this episode, they discuss updates to the FAA's approach to "uncomplicated" anxiety and depression, review the FAA streamlining efforts for re-cer...
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14:58
Protect Your Beans -- Getting Certified With Chronic Kidney Disease
Most of us take for granted the bean-shaped organs located along our flanks that are responsible for filtering the blood and maintaining fluid balance in the body. But what happens when things go wrong with the beans? How will this...
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13:24
Change is in the Air! Streamlining is Coming to the Certification Process
Several announcements this week to FAA aviation medical examiners by the agency will significantly decrease the burden on pilots with certain uncomplicated mental health conditions, eliminate the need for exercise stress tests for renewal...
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13:51
Is it a Shakedown -- or Just Essential Tremor?
The presence of a tremor has, in the past, delayed efforts of pilots to become medically certified. Use of CACI criteria now streamlines the process. In this episode, we review what is required and touch base on the new FAA reauthor...
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13:21
Ouch! The Aches and Pains of Arthritis on the FAA Medical Application
Pilots often forget to report arthritis or musculoskeletal injuries on their FAA medical application. On this episode, we walk.....er, tiptoe....through the process of reporting these common conditions and what is allowed by the FAA to ma...
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10:46
Whisperings at ASMA and Updates on Weight Loss Drugs
The Aerospace Medical Association (ASMA) is the largest gathering of aviation and aerospace experts in the country with its recent annual meeting concluding in Chicago this week. We discuss some of the highlights and then review recent FA...
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13:04