Survey of Medically Disqualified Airline Pilots in Korea: 2015~2019

Abstract

This study aimed to quantify the causes of Korean airline pilots' medical disqualification during 2015~2019. The airline pilot disqualification data is important for grasping what health problems are common to pilots and establishing preventive health care programs. We were able to obtain data from official sources at the Korean Civil Aviation Authority during 2015~2019. The total number of pilots was 29,095, and the number of disqualified professional pilots in Korea was 36. Looking at airline pilots' status by age group, the 40s were the highest with 38%. However, the disqualification rate per 1,000 pilots was the highest in the 60s, at 4.6. When the different diagnostic categories classified the disqualification results, cardiovascular disease was the highest with 12 cases (33.3%), followed by eye disease, malignancy, neurology, psychiatry, otorhinolaryngology, and respiratory disease. The total number of pilots during 2015~2019 was 29,095, and the overall disqualification rate of 1.6/1,000 pilots.