Aviation Medical Officers for the Civil Aviation Medicine Branch of Transport Canada

The Civil Aviation Medicine Branch (CAM) of Transport Canada (TC) is responsible for all aspects of aviation health and advises on many issues in aviation safety. This includes assessment of aeromedical fitness for aircrew and air traffic controllers, development of medical standards, education and training for Civil Aviation Medical Examiners (CAMEs).CAM Branch involvement in the aeromedical certification of aviation personnel traces its origins to Canada’s decision to become a signatory to the Convention on International Civil Aviation on 7 December 1944. Under the regulatory framework that followed, physicians with specialized training in aviation medicine became essential for providing informed, rational, and reasonable aeromedical decisions in support of aviation safety. The assessment the medical fitness of civilian aircrew requires the provision of an “accredited medical conclusion,” in accordance with International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO). The ICAO Manual of Civil Aviation Medicine section 1.2.4.9 defines an “accredited medical conclusion” as “[t]he conclusion reached by one or more medical experts acceptable to the Licensing Authority for the purposes of the case concerned, in consultation with flight operations or other experts as necessary.”Physicians with additional medical specialization assist the CAM aeromedical decision-making process by providing information and recommendations. This process is undertaken through the Aviation Medical Review Board (AMRB). The AMRB came into existence as a forum for aeromedical certification decision makers to review and provide recommendations relating to Medical Certificate (MC) applications. In addition to aviation medicine physicians, clinical consultants are key participants in the AMRB as subject matter experts providing additional medical and risk assessment information.