title: The international standardization of the medical certification of civil aircrew.
abstract: The extremely heterogeneous nature of the various peoples and states of today's world makes the development of a satisfactory set of medical standards for the certification of civil aircrew extremely difficult. This difficulty is compounded by the varying roles aviation plays in different parts of the world. Essential to the understanding of this difficulty is a comprehension of the concept of the sovereignty of nations. Emphasis on aviation medical standards is affected by the variation in health care priorities seen amongst the worldwide community of nations. Annex 1 to the Convention on International Civil Aviation sets regulations and recommendations for aircrew licensure. The capability of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) to enforce regulations is restricted by the same factors which restrict the power of any supernational organization. Nonetheless ICAO remains the most effective means available for achieving the diplomatic consensus so essential to the development of international standards.
mesh_terms: D000337:Aerospace Medicine; D001359:Aviation / Q000592:standards*; D006801:Humans; D007390:International Agencies; D007391:International Cooperation