Who must authorize flight clearance after decompression sickness treatment?

Who must authorize flight clearance after decompression sickness treatment?

• A. Chief Medical Officer (or delegate)
• B. Captain
• C. Safety Officer
• D. Operations Manager

Answer: (A)

After decompression sickness treatment, returning to flight requires a medical decision by a qualified aviation medical authority. The Chief Medical Officer, or a delegate appointed by the CMO, assesses the patient’s recovery, confirms there are no lingering symptoms or risks of recurrence with in-flight pressure changes, and then grants flight clearance if it’s safe. This medical review is essential because it directly concerns the individual’s health and passenger safety in the unique environment of flight. Operators’ captains, safety officers, or operations managers handle non-medical duties and do not have the authority to approve medical clearance for flying after DCS.

After decompression sickness treatment, returning to flight requires a medical decision by a qualified aviation medical authority. The Chief Medical Officer, or a delegate appointed by the CMO, assesses the patient’s recovery, confirms there are no lingering symptoms or risks of recurrence with in-flight pressure changes, and then grants flight clearance if it’s safe. This medical review is essential because it directly concerns the individual’s health and passenger safety in the unique environment of flight. Operators’ captains, safety officers, or operations managers handle non-medical duties and do not have the authority to approve medical clearance for flying after DCS.