Fit to Fly

A fit-to-fly assessment is signed by a physician — typically the treating doctor in coordination with a flight physician — and considers cardiovascular stability, oxygenation, infection control, post-surgical timing and gas-law effects on injuries (pneumothorax, bowel obstruction, recent eye surgery).

Fit-to-fly does not mean fit for commercial travel. A patient may be fit to fly by air ambulance with ICU support but not on a scheduled airline. The assessment is mission-specific.