Methods of Aircraft Disinfection to Reduce Airborne Infectious Disease Transmission.

Introduction: This review aims to assess the safety and efficacy of the use of ultraviolet-C technology for disinfecting aircraft and compare it with other methods currently used in the aviation industry.

Methods: The authors conducted a comprehensive, systematic review of the literature on disinfection of aircraft. Independent double reviews were conducted and consultations with a third reviewer were performed in the event of disagreements.

Safety and Effectiveness Assessment of Ultraviolet-C Disinfection in Aircraft Cabins.

Aircraft cabins, susceptible to disease transmission, require effective strategies to minimize the spread of airborne diseases. This paper reviews the James Reason Swiss Cheese Theory in mitigating these risks, as implemented by the International Civil Aviation Organization during the COVID-19 pandemic. It also evaluates the use of airborne ultraviolet-C (UV-C) light as an additional protective measure.

Drug Use Reported by U.S. Pilots, 2009-2014.

There is a growing trend in the use of drugs, which could increase the likelihood of an aircraft accident. Evidence exists that pilots do not report all medications to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). The purpose of this study was to compare medications discovered by postaccident toxicology testing to those reported to the FAA to determine the veracity of pilot reported medications.

Safety Implications of 6-Month vs. 1-Year First-Class Aeromedical Certificates.

This study explores the safety risk due to delayed detection of hazardous health conditions that would result from increasing the duration of U.S. first-class aeromedical certificates from 6 mo to 12 mo for pilots ages 40 yr old through 60 yr old.

Cardiac Inflight Incapacitations of U.S. Airline Pilots: 1995-2015.

Introduction: Inflight medical incapacitations are rare events that can result in the loss of lives and aircraft. The potential for an in-flight medical event deserves the attention of certification authorities. Cardiac emergencies are among the most common serious events.

Glaucoma in U.S. Civil Aviation: 2005-2014.

Introduction: Until recently, glaucoma requiring treatment was disqualifying for U.S. pilots and required an aeromedical special issuance waiver.

The U.S. Experience with Waivers for Insulin-Treated Pilots.

Introduction: This study explores the U.S. experience with waivers for insulin treatment for third-class medical certificates.

Prognostic Factors for Outcomes of In-Flight Sudden Cardiac Arrest on Commercial Airlines.

Background: In-flight cardiac arrest (IFCA) is a relatively rare but challenging event. Outcomes and prognostic factors are not entirely understood for victims of IFCAs in commercial aviation.

Methods: This was a retrospective cohort study of airline passengers who experienced IFCA.

Personal Flying Accident Rates of Selected Light Sport Aircraft Compared with General Aviation Aircraft.

Background: The issue of expanding flight privileges that do not require medical oversight is currently an important topic, especially in the United States. We compared personal flying accident rates in aircraft with special light sport aircraft (SLSA) and experimental light sport aircraft (ELSA) airworthiness certificates to accident rates for personal flying in other general aviation (GA) aircraft.

Methods: To calculate accident rates, personal flying hours were obtained from the annual FAA General Aviation and Part 135 Activity Surveys, and numbers of personal flying accidents were obtained from the NTSB accident database.

Aeromedical Hazard Comparison of FAA Medically Certified Third-Class and Medically Uncertified Pilots.

Background: Since 2004, in the United States, light sport aircraft (LSA) and some aircraft with standard airworthiness certificates can be operated for recreational purposes with a valid state driver's license rather than a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)-issued aeromedical certificate. There have been recent efforts to allow operation of much larger, heavier, faster, and more complex aircraft without requiring a medical certificate. The primary objective of this research was to compare hazards to flight safety identified in fatally injured pilots required to possess a valid FAA third-class medical certificate to hazards in fatally injured pilots who were not required to possess a valid medical certificate.

In-flight medical incapacitation and impairment of airline pilots.

Medical incapacitation in the cockpit is rare, although it is a concern that has been the subject of several investigations over the years. With recent heightened interest in this problem, it seemed worthwhile to review all relevant scientific literature on the topic. Medline, PsychLit, the Aerospace Database, and other online databases were searched for studies of pilot in-flight medical incapacitation and impairment.

An evaluation of in-flight medical care in the U.S.

Background: In-flight medical care has been studied for many years. In an effort to evaluate in-flight medical care delivery on U.S.

An evaluation of the U.S. in-flight medical kit.

Background: In-flight medical care and the FAA mandated medical kit have been studied for many years. This study includes a correlation between medical kit use and patient response in-flight, in an effort to reevaluate the FAA-mandated medical kit required on U.S.