Family Medicine Aviation Medicine Services

 THE AVIATION MEDICAL EXAM

Our goal is to make your Aviation Medical Exams as efficient and professional as possible, while adhering to the standards established by the FAA.  We provide First, Second and Third class medical exams in a professional environment, and will gladly work with your private physician and other medical provider(s) to expedite issuance when current status reports are needed or an Authorization for Special Issuance have been issued.

We have found the F A A   M e d X P r e s s  program to be very helpful in expediting issuance, avoiding errors, and improving pilot security, so we actively encourage its use.  Wherever possible we would like pilots to leave our office with medical certificate in hand, and all documentation complete.

 

PILOT CENTERED MEDICAL CONSULTATION

At times unforeseen medical problems are found during your medical certification process. This can be a disappointment for any of us as pilots, but is a particularly acute problem for those who earn their living as professional pilots. Such challenges deserve "special handling".

As Family Physicians, we have a broad knowledge of medical care and disease processes, and vast experience in addressing those problems in our day to day practice. We are skilled at interacting with other health care providers and consultants. We take our patient care personally as we 'specialize in you'.

In our Aviation Medicine consultation, we feel strongly about our role as pilot advocates, and will work with pilots to ensure all the medical documentation is in order for FAA review. We actively interact with either the Seattle Regional Flight Surgeon or Oklahoma City to expedite issuance of certificates when medical challenges are encountered.

Often student pilots or prospective pilots have concern about medical issues that might impede certification. "Should I just fly Light Sport?" "Will my medical problem disqualify me from flying?" "Should I spend the money and time on flying lessons?"  We can help you define answers for these and other questions due to our years of experience with the Aerospace Medical Certification Division of the FAA.

Aviation Brochure

ABOUT DR. STEVEN WAHLS

Steven A. Wahls, MD, FAAFP holds a private pilot certificate.  He has provided medical exams for Oregon pilots since 1999, and is a Senior Aviation Medical Examiner.

Dr. Wahls completed his medical training at Rush University in Chicago, and was board certified in Family Medicine following the completion of his specialty training. He practiced in the Roseburg area from 1984 to 2008 prior to joining the Family Medicine department at Oregon Health & Science University. Dr. Wahls is active in the Family Medicine residency program at the university. He has special interests in aviation physiology, heart and lung diseases and preventive health care.

Dr. Wahls enjoys his wife, three daughters, and his growing extended family.  In addition to aviation, he likes bicycling, snow skiing, and construction projects.