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
53 episodes since 2022
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...
September 13, 2024
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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...
September 06, 2024
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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...
August 30, 2024
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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...
August 23, 2024
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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...
August 16, 2024
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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...
August 02, 2024
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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.
July 26, 2024
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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...
July 19, 2024
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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...
July 12, 2024
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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...
June 07, 2024
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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...
May 31, 2024
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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...
May 24, 2024
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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...
May 17, 2024
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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...
May 10, 2024
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13:04
Wheeze Bad
Asthma is a common condition in the general population and is often worse during allergy seasons in the spring and fall. Is being diagnosed with asthma a significant barrier to obtaining a medical certificate? We discuss stages of asthma ...
May 03, 2024
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15:15
Got rhythm? Atrial Fibrillation and How To Maintain Your Medical Certificate
Atrial fibrillation is the most prevalent treated heart arrhythmia. We meet with a cardiology expert to discuss assessment, treatment, and new trends in taking care of the condition -- and then review your pathway to aeromedical certification.
April 26, 2024
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31:33
Thyroid Disease: Does this "Black Box" Gland "Box" Your Medical?
The thyroid is often considered the "black box" gland -- not only to patients and pilots, but also to their providers. In this episode, an expert in thyroid disease helps navigate common thyroid conditions, and we discuss the resulting ae...
April 19, 2024
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18:47
The ARC Sails Into New Waters of Mental Health Awareness
On this episode we review current events -- from three new antidepressant medications announced by the FAA as allowable for aeromedical certification to a recent report released by the Aviation Rulemaking Committee (ARC) regarding ...
April 12, 2024
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12:27
Pour Some Sugar on Me
Diabetes is a condition that not only can affect your health, but also your FAA aeromedical certification. On this episode we interview an expert in diabetes who is also a pilot to learn more about detection, treatment, and ultimately, ho...
April 05, 2024
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20:11
What's That Sound? Drone on...........
Operation of remote unmanned aircraft, otherwise known as drone operation, has become the fastest growing segment of aviation in the country. What does it take to become a drone pilot and do you have to have a medical certificate to fly o...
March 29, 2024
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8:45
The Eyes Have It
One of the most common issues affecting pilots is that of visual acuity. On this episode, a Mayo Clinic optometrist covers the most common eye issues facing pilots. Are those aviator shades worth it? Should pilots be worried about c...
March 22, 2024
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26:40
Getting Inside A HIMS Psychiatrist's Head
Although almost everyone experiences ups and downs of mood and attitude, some pilots encounter mental health conditions that require detailed assessments and testing in order to qualify for their medical certificate. In this episode, we v...
March 15, 2024
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12:32
The Ups and Downs of Hot Air Ballooning
On this episode we dust off things in the hangar, get ready for the prime of flying season, and discuss hot air ballooning ups and downs -- from what's required in an annual inspection to the angst of "aeronauts" having to obtain a Class II med...
March 08, 2024
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16:05
Things That Go Bump in the Night: A Pilot's Primer on Sleep Apnea
Obstructive sleep apnea and other sleep-related disorders are some of the most common conditions requiring Special Issuance Authorization clearance from the FAA. On this episode, we hear from a sleep disorders expert followed by discussio...
March 01, 2024
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21:56