Becoming a doctor was never just a career choice for me — it was a calling, shaped by a lifelong passion for aviation medicine. In this podcast, I take you behind the scenes of one of the most specialized and critical fields in healthcare: keeping pilots fit to fly.
Drawing from my years of service in the Indian Air Force and my current practice dedicated exclusively to pilots, I share hard-won insights into the medical requirements every aspiring and established pilot must understand. Whether you're just beginning your journey or navigating a mid-career health challenge, this episode is for you.
We cover the full landscape of aviation medicine — from Class 1 and Class 2 medicals and the CA-35 form, to the specific tests involved, the costs you can expect, and the centers authorized to conduct these assessments. We also tackle the questions pilots are often afraid to ask: What happens if you're overweight? Can tattoos affect your eligibility? What about mental health?
I make the case that mental and physical wellbeing are inseparable in aviation — and that understanding the medical system early is one of the smartest investments an aspiring pilot can make. I also share my Six Commandments of Health for Pilots: a practical framework I've developed over decades to help aviators stay in the cockpit for the long haul.
If you find this valuable, please like, subscribe, and share it with anyone navigating the path to becoming a pilot.
| 00:00:00 | Introduction | | 00:01:06 | Guest Introduction: Dr. Sanjeev Sood | | 00:03:55 | Medical Requirements for Aspiring Pilots | | 00:04:19 | The Class 2 Medical Process | | 00:05:37 | The Class 1 Medical Process | | 00:06:15 | The CA-35 Form & Medical Assessment | | 00:11:59 | Authorized Class 1 Medical Centers | | 00:15:04 | Tests in Class 2 & Class 1 Medicals | | 00:15:56 | Additional Medical Examinations | | 00:16:37 | Cost of Class 2 & Class 1 Medicals | | 00:17:53 | How Being Overweight Affects Your Medical | | 00:22:30 | When to Get Your Medical — Timing Advice | | 00:23:45 | Common Causes of Unfitness in Medicals | | 00:29:54 | Managing Health Issues as an Established Pilot | | 00:31:47 | Why DGCA Medicals Are Demanding | | 00:34:25 | When Medical Unfitness Is Temporary | | 00:36:53 | Recovering from Serious Illness & Returning to Flight | | 00:42:12 | Medications Permitted for Pilots | | 00:45:04 | Mental Health in Aviation — Why It Matters | | 00:46:56 | Managing Stress as a Pilot | | 00:48:23 | What Airlines & DGCA Are Doing on Mental Health | | 00:51:45 | Understanding & Managing Pilot Fatigue | | 00:58:41 | Tattoos & Their Implications in Aviation | | 01:01:47 | The Six Commandments of Stress | | 01:02:27 | The Six Commandments of Health for Pilots | | 01:04:17 | Validity & Frequency of Regular Medicals | | 01:05:11 | Personal Experiences with Routine Medicals | | 01:05:59 | Demystifying the Medical Examination Process | | 01:06:29 | Why Open Communication with Your Doctor Matters | | 01:08:17 | Closing Remarks & Acknowledgements |
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