Aviation Medical Examiner
Class 2 and 3 FAA Medicals
Dr. J.William Groves, Jr.
Welcome! I’m Dr. William Groves. I am a local obstetrician/gynecologist, private pilot, and Aviation Medical Examiner. I have been in practice as an ob/gyn locally since 2007.
I earned my private pilot certificate in 2015 and added a single engine sea rating in 2016. I completed my AME training in the fall of 2021, and I am excited to be serving the local aviation community in this capacity.
Flying is a huge privilege and responsibility at the same time, and I hope to be able to help improve aviation safety by being a source of aeromedical knowledge and counseling to you.
Although, I am an obstetrician/gynecologist by specialty, I was always taught and have thought of myself as a physician first and as a specialist second. As such, I am happy to be working with you to help you with your exam and any aeromedical questions you have.
We will make it our priority to make your visit efficient and useful. I am currently able to process applications for Class 2 and 3 FAA medicals.
The FAA medical expiration timeframe is:
Class 2: Last day of month 12 months from issuance
Class 3: Last day of the month 24 months from issuance if at or above age 40. Last day of the month 60 months from issuance if < age 40 at time of issuance.
Thank you for consulting with me as your Aviation Medical Examiner
The following conditions are generally disqualifying for a flight medical:
- Diabetes mellitus requiring hypoglycemic medications
- Angina pectoris
- Coronary heart disease that has been treated or if untreated has been symptomatic or clinically significant
- Myocardial infarction
- Cardiac valve replacement
- Permanent cardiac pacemaker
- Heart transplant
- Psychosis
- Bipolar disease
- Personality disorders severe enough to have been repeatedly manifested
- Substance dependence
- Substance abuse within the last 2 years
- Epilepsy
- Unexplained loss of consciousness
- Transient loss of control of nervous system function without satisfactory explanation
If you have any of these conditions you may contact me through my office to discuss options. For straightforward counseling we can use email or telephone, and if more detailed counseling is necessary, it can be arranged through my office manager. There are times the FAA regional flight surgeon may be able to issue a medical after obtaining further information, testing, and records.
If you have previously been issued a “Special Issuance” medical – please follow the Flight Surgeons orders on your SI letter and bring in all the required testing to your medical visit.
As an AME I can help with an “AASI” – AME assisted special issuance – but, I will need all the information as spelled out in your letter.
If you have been previously issued a “CACI” medical – Conditions and AME Can Issue – please bring in the information/testing required on the FAA website. This information is typically easily found by doing a google search such as “FAA and CACI and (list medical condition)”. The CACI tables can be found listing the requirements. If you are unsure, check with me ahead of time.
If you take any medications or have any health conditions, let us know upon scheduling your appointment.
Feel free to consult AOPA (Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association) at 1-800-USA-AOPA (872-2672) or schedule a telephone or in person consultation with me prior to beginning the MedEx exam process if you have questions about any chronic conditions or medications you take. Once the MedEx process has begun on your end – the information cannot be changed.
Basic Med is available as an option to some pilots not desiring to carry passengers for hire. An initial FAA medical must be or have been issued to participate in the Basic Med program. Please review the FAA website (www.faa.gov) or search “Basic Med” in your web browser for further information.