Aviation Medicine/Medical Officer
 

Hi All,

New here. My apologies if this isn't the best subfurum for this question...

Any posters here (ex) Medical Officers?

I'm ex RAF groundcrew. I was very fortunate to have a tour on the Reds which included lots of back seat flying. The trip down to the CAM at Henlow sparked off an interest in aviation medicine and changed the course of my life. I was going nowhere in the RAF and couldn't see that changing. I'd tried the commission route, considered NCA, but it wasn't the right path for me and didn't work out. One day I thought 'go big or go home'... so I walked out and, long story short, went from being a JT to Doctor (via many painful, expensive, med school years!). I've been working as a Doctor 2 years now.

I still find the world of aviation fascinating and miss parts of life in the RAF. I'm keen to find some way to direct my career back toward aviation whether that be military or civilian.

I'm just wondering if any you here are current or ex RAF Medics or close to those who are? I'd be very thankful for anyone who'd be willing to give me a bit of a steer in the right direction. It's an incredibly niche field, and my background's a bit unique, so could definitely use an expert opinion.

Many thanks.

I take it you have read, and welcome to the forums.

https://recruitment.raf.mod.uk/roles...edical-officer

Yes, I've had a good read of the recruitment website information. Unfortunately, career/training pathways for Doctors can be very complex and require careful navigation.

At the risk of opprobrium from some of the more sensitive members on this site...

It would seem that your first step must be to check your ethnicity and gender.

General path to aviation medicine has been primary care pathway then jumping across but this isn't universal and aviation and space medicine is now a CCT speciality in its own right. Suggest speaking to recruiting team in first instance - I will see if I can find anyone happy to chat

Thank you.

I have been in contact with the recruiters and have an phone + email contact now for the Medical & Dental recruitment team. I'll have a chat with them for sure to at least get some official line on if anything might get in the way of me looking at this route.

Civilian wise as an AME you can find details here

https://www.caa.co.uk/Aeromedical-Examiners/

If FAA stuff would be of any assistance, am happy to tell you whatever I can (senior Ame)

Ironically, if you want to be an MO and a qualified military pilot, only the Army offer you that opportunity.

I had some of the best times with the Avation medics in the Institute of Aviation Medicine at Farnborough in the late 60's early 70\s
I was a Cranwell Cadet who had been accepted unconditonally to go to the University of London to do a Human Biology degree ( Because of my Branch a medical degree was not permitted )
I spent every day I could at Farnborough before and during my Degree course.
Superb education!
Because of my Honours Degree I was exempt the first MB of a medical degree , A subject which was approached later when I was faced with a career change.

Thank you for the kind offer. Unfortunately, I don't think a move to the US would be on the cards. It's a real shame as there seems to be such a great number of opportunities over there. I joined ASMA (there isn't really a UK equivalent) and there seems to be a great support network for people wanting to get into Aviation Medicine.

Given it's such a niche area looking at research groups might offer some possibilities. This group at King's College London is likely the legacy of AVM John Ernsting who established a group there after his post as the last commandant of the RAF Institute of Aviation Medicine.
https://www.kcl.ac.uk/research/aeros...research-group

https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune....87b9c76de.jpeg

Norty Nutloose.

My ortho consultant son in law wrote "park rangers hat"
Widely interpreted as "pork rangers hut".

Known in the family as the Pork Ranger.

Apologies in advance. Naughty stair.

Thank you. I am aware of the work of KCL and their courses are certainly very highly regarded. I'm going to have a chat with someone from the CAM and I'll discuss the KCL courses (as they work so closely with the CAM).

If you are in London, try Prof Kevin Fong.

https://www.uclh.nhs.uk/our-services...sor-kevin-fong

You could contact Dr David Newman from Flight Medicine Systems. I am sorry but I can't post links yet.
He is ex RAAF.
Even though it is an Australian company Dave is "Visiting Professor of Aerospace Medicine at King’s College London, in the Centre for Human and Applied Physiological Sciences".
He is very approachable and a nice bloke. I think he could steer you towards some names in UK that may be able to help.
John

Whilst being a DR is very impressive, being a JT definitely carries more gravitas.

I am big fan. He certainly has a very impressive CV. I can imagine he does get a significant number of cold calls though... Something to think about.

Thank you kindly for the info. Another potential route for some info.