what is an aviation medical examiner?
Become an Aviation Medical Examiner Today! Aviation Medical Examiners are licensed medical physicians (either MD or DO) that are designated by the FAA and therefore permitted to issue medical certificates to civilian pilots after performing a thorough flight physical examination and review of the pilotâs medical history. A newly trained doctor is designated an AME. 1  After 3 years experience and accomplishing a specific minimum number of examinations, a standard AME can apply to be designated a âSenior AMEâ by the FAA. Once recognized as a senior AME, first class physicals can be performed for commercial pilots.