Medical Support Systems (MSS)

Title 49 U.S.C. Section 44703 requires the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to medically certify all airmen initially and periodically thereafter to ensure that they are qualified and physically able to operate safely in the national airspace system. FAA Order 3930.3C requires that FAA workforce members with safety-related duties, such as Air Traffic Control Specialists (ATCSs) and applicants for ATCS positions, receive medical clearance before and while performing their duties. The FAA’s Office of Aerospace Medicine (AAM), located within the Office of Aviation Safety (AVS), owns and operates the Medical Support Systems (MSS). The MSS consists of a suite of subsystems that enable AVS to meet its statutory obligation to certify the health of both airmen, ATCS and ATCS applicants, referred to collectively as “applicants.” In addition, MSS manages the medical examination of those applicants performed by FAA Aviation Medical Examiners (AMEs) and FAA Flight Surgeons. “Medical certification” of airmen results in a certification of their medical readiness to operate safely in the national airspace. “Medical clearance” results in a designation of medical readiness to perform FAA safety duties.