About The Flying Physician Association

Purpose

The primary purpose of the Flying Physicians Association is to promote safety, education, research and human interest projects relating to aviation.

Objectives

As physicians, with knowledge in the effects of Flying (physical, mental and emotional), we strive to increase safety and to preserve health by providing basic information through example and teaching to the medical profession, to aircrews and to the public at large, influencing members of the medical profession to fly and to develop expertise in the effects of Flying which will result in better utilization of aircraft for emergency services, better cooperation with state and federal aviation agencies, better qualified aviation medical examiners and more significant research.

History

The idea of a formal association of physician pilots was first discussed and the first steps taken to organize such a group, during the 1954 Philadelphia Jaycee Transcontinental Air Race. The doctors originally involved in the feasibility of an association were Herman A. Heise, Milwaukee, Wisconsin; S.D.Sullenberger, Dandridge, Tennessee; and H. D. Vickers, of Little Falls, New York. On June 5, 1955, during the American Medical Association's yearly convention, the first regular business meeting of the association was held. Dr. H. D. Vickers was elected the group's first President. The association was incorporated under the laws of New York State as a not-for-profit scientific and educational society in October, 1955. At the end of its first year the association had 795 members. Today the association's membership is comprised of physician pilots across the United States, as well as in Africa, Australia, Canada, England, Israel, Puerto Rico, South America, Germany, West Indies and Japan.