Aviation Physicals

Class 1 (only available at Sigourney), 2 (Commercial Pilot) and Class 3 (Private) Flight Physicals are available at the Sigourney and Hedrick Clinics. Please call (641) 622-1170 (Sigourney) or 653-2437 (Hedrick) to make your appointment.

How to prepare and what to expect at your Aviation Medical Examination: PowerPoint by Dr. Frost

Getting Ready for Your Physical

You will need to fill out an application form at the FAA MedExpress website: https://medxpress.faa.gov. The application will ask for basic questions about your health history. If you don’t know the answer or are unsure how to answer, you can call Dr. Frost at (641) 653-2437. At any point, you can exit and return later to complete. Upon completion of the application, you will be provided a confirmation number. You will need to bring that number to your appointment. After you complete the MedExpress form, you will have 60 days to get your aviation physical.

Make your appointment by calling the Sigourney Clinic at (641) 622-1170 or Hedrick Clinic at (641) 653-2437. Cost: $175.00.

Bring any pertinant medical records (or have them forwarded from your regular provider) and a list of any current medications and dosages with you to your physical.

Andrew Frost, DO, has taken a fairly colorful path to the position of medicine that he holds today. Before entering college, he was an accomplished metal fabricator, mechanic and volunteer paramedic. He attended Loras College in Dubuque Iowa for his undergraduate degree in biology and chemistry . He is a 1997 graduate of the University of Osteopathic Medicine and Health Sciences in Des Moines and completed his Family Practice residency at Trinity Health in Davenport Iowa.

Dr. Frost holds a position as an affiliate professor at Des Moines University and for the past 17 years has trained third and fourth year medical students. He comes to Keokuk County Hospital and Clinics with 22 years of experience. In addition to working in the emergency room, Dr. Frost will also practice rural family medicine at the Hedrick clinic and osteopathy at the Sigourney Medical Clinic.

He prefers to take a wholistic approach with his patients and believes that exercise and good nutrition play a vital role in your health. He believes good nutrition in conjunction with osteopathic adjustments can help diminish pain, improve your immune system and ultimately help you achieve your goals to optimize your health.

Classes and Requirements of Aviation Physicals

Class 1 Medical Certificate

·         Purpose: This is the highest level of medical certification and is required for pilots who exercise Airline Transport Pilot (ATP) privileges, such as flying scheduled airliners.

·         Requirements: Includes a comprehensive medical exam, vision and hearing testing, and evaluation of cardiovascular health, among others. The vision standard is 20/20 in each eye with or without correction, according to AOPA. Pilots over 35 applying for a first-class medical for the first time, or over 40 annually, require an electrocardiogram (ECG).

·         Duration: Valid for ATP privileges for 12 months for pilots under 40, and 6 months for pilots 40 and over. 

Class 2 Medical Certificate

·         Purpose: Required for pilots who fly commercially but not as airline captains (e.g., crop dusting, cargo transportation, flight instructors, or other commercial roles).

·         Requirements: Includes a physical and vision test. The vision standard is 20/20 in each eye with or without correction, according to AOPA.

·         Duration: Valid for commercial privileges for 12 months, regardless of age. 

Class 3 Medical Certificate

·         Purpose: Required for student pilots, private pilots, and recreational pilots who fly for pleasure or personal business.

·         Requirements: The exam is less stringent than Class 1 or 2. The vision standard is 20/40 in each eye with or without correction, according to AOPA.

·         Duration: Valid for 60 months for pilots under 40 and 24 months for pilots 40 and over. 

In summary

Class 1 is for airline pilots. Class 2 is for commercial pilots. Class 3 is for private, student, and recreational pilots.

DOT Physicals

A DOT physical, required for commercial drivers, assesses physical and mental fitness for safe vehicle operation. Key requirements include vision, hearing, blood pressure, and a general physical exam, with specific standards for each. Drivers also need to disclose medical history, medications, and any relevant specialist reports. 

Vision: Drivers must have 20/40 vision in each eye, with or without correction, and a 70-degree peripheral field of vision. 

Hearing: Drivers need to be able to perceive a forced whisper at 5 feet, with or without a hearing aid, which translates to an average hearing loss of less than 40 dB in the better ear. 

Blood Pressure: Blood pressure must be below 140/90 during the examination, according to Agile Occupational Medicine. 

General Physical Exam: This includes checks for: 

  • Height and weight.
  • Overall appearance.
  • Skin.
  • Eyes, ears, mouth, and throat.
  • Heart, lungs, and chest.
  • Abdomen and spine.
  • Genital and urinary system.
  • Extremities and joints.
  • Nervous system (reflexes, gait).
  • Circulatory system.

Other Important Considerations:

  • Urinalysis:.A urine sample is typically collected to test for underlying conditions like diabetes. 
  • Medical History:.Drivers need to disclose any relevant past or current medical conditions, including medications, and provide medical records from specialists if needed. 
  • Specific Conditions:.Drivers with conditions like diabetes, sleep apnea, or heart conditions may need to meet additional standards and provide additional documentation from specialists