AME Cardiovascular Evaluation & Electrocardiography 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: At what age is a resting ECG first required for an initial First Class medical certificate applicant under FAA guidelines?
- Age 30
- Age 35 (Correct answer)
- Age 40
- Age 45
Correct answer: Age 35
FAA guidelines require a resting ECG for initial First Class certification at age 35, with annual ECGs required from age 40 onward.
Question 2: An AME measures a First Class applicant's blood pressure at 162/98 mmHg after two readings. What is the most appropriate action?
- Issue the certificate with a limitation note
- Defer the application to the AMCD for further evaluation (Correct answer)
- Recheck in 30 days and issue if reading normalizes
- Deny the certificate outright without deferral
Correct answer: Defer the application to the AMCD for further evaluation
Blood pressure at or above 155/95 mmHg warrants deferral to the Aerospace Medical Certification Division for further cardiovascular evaluation.
Question 3: Which of the following is a CACI (Condition AMEs Can Issue) condition that allows an AME to certify without mandatory AMCD deferral if criteria are met?
- History of coronary artery bypass graft surgery
- Controlled hypertension on antihypertensive medication (Correct answer)
- Implanted permanent cardiac pacemaker
- History of myocardial infarction within 5 years
Correct answer: Controlled hypertension on antihypertensive medication
Hypertension is a CACI condition that an AME may certify without AMCD deferral if blood pressure is controlled and the applicant meets all specified criteria.
Question 4: A pilot reports a history of paroxysmal atrial fibrillation currently in normal sinus rhythm with rate-control medication. What certification pathway typically applies?
- Automatic disqualification for all certificate classes
- Standard issuance without additional cardiovascular workup
- Special Issuance Authorization following comprehensive cardiologic evaluation (Correct answer)
- Third Class certification only, permanently restricted
Correct answer: Special Issuance Authorization following comprehensive cardiologic evaluation
Atrial fibrillation typically requires Special Issuance Authorization following comprehensive cardiovascular evaluation demonstrating rhythm stability and adequate rate control.
Question 5: Which ECG finding would most likely require immediate deferral and cardiology referral for a pilot applicant?
- Sinus bradycardia at 54 beats per minute
- Incomplete right bundle branch block
- New complete left bundle branch block (LBBB) (Correct answer)
- First-degree atrioventricular block
Correct answer: New complete left bundle branch block (LBBB)
Complete left bundle branch block requires deferral because it may indicate significant underlying structural heart disease necessitating further cardiovascular evaluation.
Question 6: What minimum left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) is generally required by the FAA for Special Issuance consideration after myocardial infarction?
- 30% or greater
- 40% or greater
- 50% or greater (Correct answer)
- 60% or greater
Correct answer: 50% or greater
FAA guidelines generally require LVEF of 50% or greater (normal systolic function) for Special Issuance following myocardial infarction to ensure safe performance of pilot duties.
Question 7: Starting at age 40, at what interval must a resting ECG be obtained for First Class medical certificate renewal?
- Every 24 months
- Every 18 months
- Every 12 months (annually) (Correct answer)
- Every 6 months
Correct answer: Every 12 months (annually)
First Class medical certificates require annual renewal after age 40, with a resting ECG obtained at each examination cycle.
AME Cardiovascular Evaluation & Electrocardiography 1
At what age is a resting ECG first required for an initial First Class medical certificate applicant under FAA guidelines?