Principles of Aerospace Medicine for Medical Professionals
Overview
This course serves as a comprehensive introduction to aerospace medicine, including the aeromedical certification of pilots and air traffic controllers. It is designed for all medical practitioners across various disciplines. Prior exposure to aviation medicine is not required.
This professional education course provides an introduction to the specialty area of aerospace medicine and an overview of the process of aeromedical certification of applicants for a CASA Aviation Medical Certificates. It includes the environmental physiology of flight, the operational aspects of flying, the medical regulatory system, the impact of clinical conditions on flight safety, and fitness to fly, from both an aircrew and passenger point of view. It will equip you with the essential knowledge and skills required to critically evaluate medical conditions and environmental stressors and advise on fitness for flight. This course does not qualify you as a Designated Aviation Medical Examiner (DAME); however, for non-GP specialists, completion of the course will entitle you to be listed with CASA, who might call on your expertise in future.
Developed collaboratively by academic experts from the ANU and CASA, this course promises a thorough exploration of the vital principles underpinning aerospace medicine, ensuring a safer sky for all.
Key facts
- 2 days
- In-person
- $2,830
- Certificate + Gain CPD points
Course details
Learning outcomes
The aim of this short course is to equip participants with a knowledge of the fundamentals of aerospace medicine, and to apply Australian regulatory standards to aeromedical certification, assess risks and environmental stressors, evaluate aircraft-related health and safety concerns, determine fitness for flight, and analyse the impact of medical conditions on flight safety.
By completing this course, participants will be able to:
- Understand the stressors of flight
- Critically evaluate the impact of environmental stressors of flight on human physiology and medical conditions.
- Apply Australian regulatory principles and procedures when assessing applicants for aeromedical certification.
- Apply principles of aeromedical decision making and risk assessment when providing opinions on medical certificate applicants.
- Advise on fitness of crew and passengers for flight in the context of the unique operating environment of the individual.
- Critically evaluate how various medical conditions may affect fitness for flight and degrade flight safety.
- Apply for listing as a CASA credentialed specialist (if applicable).
Who should enrol
The Principles of Aerospace Medicine for Medical Professionals is ideal for all medical practitioners in Australia and the region who are interested in knowing more about this exciting area of medicine. To meet the course requirements, you must be a medical doctor with:
- Undergraduate or Postgraduate degree in Medicine; and
- Current medical registration with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA)
Delivery
The course will provide approximately 14 hours of face-to-face engagement delivered as workshops, team activities, lectures, and case studies.
The areas covered include:
Day 1: Regulatory Aviation Medicine, Aeromedical Decision Making, Environmental Physiology, Operating Environments, Human Factors
Day 2: Health and Fitness Standards, Passenger health, Clinical Aviation Medicine Workshops relevant to the discipline of the participants
Self-directed learning by reading the prescribed CASA Guidelines and writing a post course clinical reflection will be expected. In addition, materials such as case studies, online resources, and journal articles will be provided as an online resource to participants, inclusive of the course tuition. It is expected that the course materials will provide approximately six hours of additional independent learning time.
Location: Canberra or Sydney
Dates and locations
Course dates for 2025 are as follows:
- Course 1/25 – CASA Offices, Sydney, 16-17 August 2025
- Course 2/25 - November or December 2025 – location TBA
Fees & inclusions
Fees
$2,830 (inclusive of GST)
Inclusions
- Course materials, including pre-reading.
- ANU Certificate of Participation.
- Access to Aerospace Medicine specialists from the Australian National University and the Civil Aviation Safety Authority.
- Administrative and teaching support.
- Catering: morning tea, lunch, and afternoon tea
NB – the optional course dinner is not included
Cancellation
The Australian National University and CASA reserve the right to cancel or modify the course details, dates, and venues. Registrations exceeding capacity or insufficient enrolments may result in cancellation, with participants notified promptly.
Refunds
Participants may be eligible for refunds under certain conditions:
- If ANU cancels the course.
- If a visa application is refused (proof required).
- If cancellation occurs six weeks before the start date.
No refunds for withdrawals within six weeks of the start date. Registration can be transferred to a substitute participant of to a later course.
Partner
Dr Kate Manderson, Principal Medical Officer, Civil Aviation Safety Authority
'CASA is excited to see the development of aviation medicine education opportunities by ANU. No matter what the specialty, every doctor in Australia is likely to provide care to pilots and air traffic controllers in their practice. Being able to understand the setting where their patient works (and plays), and how the care provided contributes to the aviation safety system, will help those doctors provide the best care possible. CASA also welcomes the opportunity to have initial and currency training for doctors who are designated within the Civil Aviation Safety Regulations provided by an academic institution of the calibre of ANU.'
Key people
Professor Gordon Cable AM, Professor in Space Medicine, Course Convenor, ANU School of Medicine and Psychology
Professor Cable is a Professor of Space Medicine at ANU, Fellow of the Australasian College of Aerospace Medicine, co-founder of Human Aerospace, longtime RAAF Institute of Aviation Medicine staff, was Space Medicine & Life Sciences Lead (2020–21) at the Australian Space Agency, and holds multiple aerospace Fellowships.
Professor Tracy Smart AO, Professor, Military and Aerospace Medicine, ANU School of Medicine and Psychology
Professor Smart is Professor of Military & Aerospace Medicine at ANU, focusing on health security, military service impacts, leadership, and as a Space Medicine Mission Specialist. A physician and retired RAAF senior officer, she served 35 years, including RAF/USAF exchanges, overseas deployments, and as ADF Surgeon General.
Dr Kate Manderson, Principal Medical Officer, Civil Aviation Safety Authority
Dr Manderson is Principal Medical Officer for Australia’s Civil Aviation Safety Authority. She specialized in aerospace medicine through the ADF (Royal Australian Navy) before joining the civil sector. She’s a Fellow of RAeS, AsMA, ACAsM, and RACGP, with broad experience in medical education, leadership, and governance, focusing on rural healthcare.
Dr Tony Hochberg, Deputy Principal Medical Officer, Civil Aviation Safety Authority
Dr Hochberg is Deputy Principal Medical Officer at CASA, with a background as an Aviation Doctor for CAA NZ/CASA and Corporate Physician, managing aeromedical retrievals, hyperbaric repatriation, and travel health. He taught aviation medicine (postgrad) and occupational medicine at ECU, Otago, and Curtin.