title: Asthma in military aviators: safe flying is possible.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Asthma is considered relatively incompatible with aviation. Firstly, due to the risk of sudden incapacitation, and secondly, due to cold and dry air and other asthmogenic factors characteristic of the aviation environment. The medical requirements for flying fitness of asthmatic aviators are inconsistent between different air services, and many flight surgeons are unfamiliar with the recent developments in asthma management. This study aims to describe our experience with asthmatic aviators and to discuss the medical standards required for flying fitness in chronic asthma.
  
  
  METHODS
  The records of all aviators diagnosed with asthma between January 1988 and September 2005 were reviewed. Pulmonary function tests and examination by a pulmonary disease specialist and flight surgeon were performed at least annually.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Nineteen Israeli Air Force aviators with asthma were studied. Most were treated with inhaled long-acting beta agonists and corticosteroids. Disease control was satisfactory in more then 90%, with significant worsening in only one case. We had no cases of sudden incapacitation or any other safety breach. One aviator was grounded 23 yr after diagnosis due to deterioration in the severity of the disease, and another aviator was permanently grounded 1 yr after diagnosis.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Adequate asthma control is readily feasible, even in the aviation environment. Long-term inhaled corticosteroids are effective and have few side effects in aviators. Our management approach to aviators with asthma appears to be safe and effective.
authors.affiliation: Israel Air Force Aeromedical Center, Tel Hashomer, Israel. carterd@zahav.net.il
authors.forename: Dan
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Carter
authors.forename: Russell
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Pokroy
authors.forename: Bella
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Azaria
authors.forename: Erez
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Barenboim
authors.forename: Yehuda
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Swhartz
authors.forename: Liav
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Goldstein
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000337:Aerospace Medicine / Q000592:standards; D000465:Algorithms; D001249:Asthma / Q000145:classification / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000517:prevention & control; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007557:Israel; D008297:Male; D008889:Military Personnel; D012720:Severity of Illness Index