Pilots with missing fingers and/or foot components: contemporary certification

When an applicant with amputations presents to the Aviation Medical Examiner (AME) for Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) medical certification several potential "gates" must be passed. The first gate is the AME's impression of the applicant's reaction and adaptation to the loss. The second gate is the operational flight performance demonstration by the applicant, and/or, further clinical evaluation of the applicant's status, if necessary. Some applicants will pass gate one and become certified. Others may need to progress through the second gate. A few applicants will be unable to transit the gates and will not become certified.