This table contains an overview of the physical requirements to meet the Flying Class I (pilot) and Flying Class IA (navigator) standards.  We've put stuff like the dental and cholesterol requirements into the chart because that's something you can get checked out on your own and correct if there are any problems (e.g. get your cavities filled before your physical and don't cause yourself any unnecessary delays!)  There are a fairly large number of medical conditions which are disqualifying, so we've only covered some common ones here.  Check out AFI 48-123v3, Medical Examinations and Standards (Flying and Special Operational Duty), Section 1.3 and Attachment 4 for more detailed requirements or post your question here.  If you don't meet these standards, don't despair! Bear in mind that many of these items may be waiverable - we've noted the waiver standard where it was simple, but just because we don't list it doesn't mean it's not waiverable.  See the Waivers, Waivers, Waivers section below for more information. 

KEY: U-C=Uncorrected-Corrected
Item	FC I	FC IA
Vision (Distant, U-C)	20/70-20/20	20/200-20/20
Vision (Near, U-C)	20/30-20/20	20/40-20/20
Vision (Color)	Must be normal; 5 out of 14 incorrect is disqualifying	Same
Vision (Depth Perception)	Must be normal	Same
Height (Standing)	64"-77"	Same
Height (Sitting)	34"-40"	33"-40"
Weight	Normal height/weight applies plus cannot be greater than 240 for UPT (ejection seat aircraft)	Height/weight applies; Fighter track UNT no greater than 240
Dental	Cavities (etc) disqualifying until corrected	Same
Speech	Must pass Read Aloud Test (RAT); No stutter, etc	Same
Blood Pressure	No greater than 140/90	Same
Cholesterol	Cannot be higher than 230 with HDL less than 15% of total or LDL greater than 170	Same
Migraines (or similar non-tension headaches)	Disqualifying (waiverable if asymptomatic for previous year)	Same
Chronic "hay fever" or sinus problems	Possible issue (waiverable if allergies controllable by medication)	Same
Asthma	Disqualifying (if "reliably diagnosed" at any age)	Same

While the standards are the same regardless of when, where and how you receive your medical exams to qualify you for UPT, we thought we'd attempt to detangle the variety of ways in which medical screening is accomplished based on your UPT application path.

KEY:

• MTF - Military Treatment Facility (e.g. a base hospital or clinic)
• DODMERB - Department of Defense Medical Exam Review Board (DODMErB is the agency that determines the medical qualification of applicants for service academies and ROTC 4-year scholarship programs. DODMERB physicals may be conducted at civilian facilities under contract or at MTFs).
• MEPS - Military Entrance Processing Station (Facilities that screen applicants for enlistment/commissioning in a number of ways, including medical).

Physical Type	USAFA	AFROTC	OTS	ANG	Active Duty
Entry	When: As part of application process Where: DODMERB contract facility (civilian) or MTF How: Scheduled by USAFA Admissions	When: Prior to going on contract (usually your sophomore year) Where: Scholarship applicants DODMERB (4-yr) or MTF (others) Non-scholarship MEPS or MTF How: Scheduled by HQ ROTC (4-yr) or ROTC Detachment (all others) NOTE: This physical will be used to pre-screen you for pilot qualification	N/A	It differs by unit, but many units request copies of any military physicals (if available), or copies of the Airman Medical Certificate (FAA) for those with private pilot's licenses.	N/A (Previously completed)
Commissioning	N/A (Combined with Flying Class I for pilot candidates)	N/A (Combined with Flying Class I for pilot candidates)	When: During application process Where: MEPS How: Scheduled by recruiter NOTE: Current enlisted applicants just need a medical records review at local MTF	N/A (Combined with Flying Class I for those selected for UPT.)	N/A (Previously completed)
Flying Class I	When: Sophomore year Where: At the Academy How: Scheduled by USAFA	When: After selection (categorization) but prior to commissioning Where: MTF (Air Force only) or Brooks AFB, TX How: Scheduled by HQ ROTC (work through Detachment)	When: After selection but prior to attending OTS Where: MTF (Air Force only) How: Scheduled by recruiter or base education office. NOTE: Applicants age 28 1/2 or older, or those whose MEPS physicals do not appear to meet pilot standards will complete this prior to submitting their application.	When: After selection for UPT. Where: MTF (Air Force only) or Brooks AFB, TX How: Scheduled by guard unit.	When: Prior to submitting application Where: Local MTF How: Schedule yourself via your local aerospace medicine shop
Medical Flight Screening	When: Sophomore year (combined with FC1) Where: At the Academy How: Scheduled by USAFA	When: After commissioning but prior to entering UPT Where: Brooks AFB, TX How: Scheduled by HQ ROTC (work through Detachment) NOTE: ROTC cadets whose Flying Class I physicals are scheduled for Brooks will undergo Medical Flight Screening at the same time.	When: After OTS but prior to entering UPT Where: Brooks AFB, TX How: Scheduled by AFOATS.	When: After commissioning but prior to entering UPT Where: Brooks AFB, TX How: Scheduled by guard unit. NOTE: Those whose Flying Class I physicals are scheduled for Brooks will undergo Medical Flight Screening at the same time.	When: After selection but prior to entering UPT Where: Brooks AFB, TX How: Scheduled by Special Flying Training folks at AFPC.

If you take away only one thing from this page, remember this: There is a waiver for almost anything.  (This is especially true if you're heading into the Guard, of course).  To be sure, there are some medical issues that you cannot overcome, but you will do well to make researching waivers a habit whenever you hear "no."  It might always work out, but it certainly won't hurt to ask.

Flight docs are generally knowledgeable about which conditions are waiverable and which aren't, but you should make it a point to research the guidelines for waivers for any medical issue you know of. (Review AFI 48-123 Attachment 4 thoroughly to try to identify anything in your medical history that might be a problem.)  The Waiver Guide should be your first stop for research.  Because it can be written in 'medicalese' you might want to consult the family physician before your Flying Class physical to see if you fall within the guidelines for a waiver.  Only the opinion of the flight doc counts, of course, but if you have documentation showing you were previously examined and fell within the guidelines and bring that up, you might at least get a re-examination or second opinion.

Most flight docs are happy to help you - they're not trying to arbitrarily keep you from flying duty.  We're working to bring a flight doc on board to provide more specific tips on getting the waiver you need, but in the meantime users who have received waivers have shared their information below!