Who takes a Class 4 flight physical?

• A. Air traffic controllers, UAV operators, & are annual FDMEs for DAC and ATC personnel
• B. Pilots
• C. Aeromedical psychologists
• D. Flight medics

Answer: (A)

Class 4 flight physicals cover aviation personnel who support flight operations but do not fly as crewmembers. The idea is to ensure those in safety‑critical, ground-based roles remain medically fit for the aviation environment. Air traffic controllers and UAV operators fall into this category because their duties directly affect flight safety, require quick decision‑making under stress, and involve exposure to the same aviation stresses (g, hypoxia risk in the environment, even if not piloting) as other aircrew. They undergo an annual Flying Duty Medical Examination to verify they meet the minimum health standards needed to perform their duties safely.

Pilots, by contrast, are held to higher medical standards and typically require Class 1 or 2 certifications. Aeromedical psychologists and flight medics engage in different roles with distinct medical considerations, so they aren’t designated for the Class 4 FDME in the same way as air traffic controllers and UAV operators.