Career in Aerospace Medicine

Let’s put our thinking caps on for a minute, sit back, relax and imagine how we feel about flying high above the vast Indian skyline with a wireless headset on, going on numerous journeys, and assisting people in travelling? Doesn’t it sound amazing? Flying worldwide and helping people in need in times of distress? Well, that might be you, if you decide to pursue and specialise in aerospace medicine!

Although the possibilities may appeal to many of you high-energy individuals who want to live a life full of adventure and choose emergency medicine, what about the daily life it portends and the career options you get to enjoy? In addition, would it remain captivating and pay you back after many years of intense study? Well, that’s exactly what our motto is today! By the end of this blog, we will provide you with some practical considerations when choosing to specialise in aerospace medicine.

What is Aerospace Medicine?

Whenever you travel somewhere on a flight, have you noticed the sudden difference your body feels when the plane takes off? Or journeying in the air up in the middle of the clouds? Likewise, the cabin temperature might seem strange to our body, so whenever medical emergencies happen during an airplane flight, their seriousness is at another level. In this situation, aerospace medicine experts will help.

As an area of study, Aerospace Medicine examines and studies a space environment’s physiological and psychological impact on people. Following these two parameters, it formulates effective preventative and medicinal measures that can help lessen the result of an airborne environment in our body. In simpler terms, it aims to maintain the well-being and safety of the flying crew and their passengers. To prepare for a program in this field, the candidates need to get an MBBS degree with qualifying marks, varying from college to college. 

What to Study? 

To pursue a career in aerospace medicine, you will be provided with a more in-depth insight into the implications observed by a human body in a space or flying environment. That’s not it, and then they are provided with several clinical training in the following areas of study:

• Radiation health
• Flight Medicine
• Hypobaric and Hyperbaric Therapy
• Space medicine: Basic Flight Surgeon Training 
• Military and Civilian Aviation
• Elective subjects like travel medicine, administration, etc. 
• Flight Familiarisation

Courses in Aerospace Medicine

Since you’re planning to study and pursue a career in aerospace medicine,

We have listed some of the favoured courses in the field of aerospace medicine that you can opt for. We have divided the section into two halves, master’s degree courses and certificate courses, so it’s convenient for you to choose whichever course you wish to pursue!

• MD in Aerospace Medicine:

Time duration: 2 years. 

This MBBS programme aims to gain specialised expertise in Aerospace Medicine.

• MD Aeromedical Retrieval and Transport: 

Time duration: 2 years.  

In this master’s programme, the candidates concentrate on advanced training in Retrieval medicine and Aeromedical evacuation.

• MD Aviation Medicine: 

Time duration: 2 years.  

MD Aviation Medicine provides students with the knowledge and technique to maintain the aircrew’s optimum health in aviation and space environments.

• MD Health Science Endorsed in Aeromedical Retrieval and Transport:

Time duration: 2 years.

A master’s degree course that examines aeromedical transport and how medical emergencies are managed during a flight.

• MD Oral Health: 

Time duration: 3 years.

During a flight, there’s constant change in the pressure that can affect the human body in different ways. This course aims to train medical professionals to tackle situations concerning oral problems in aviation and space environments.

• MSc Aerospace Medicine: 

Time duration: 2 years.

This advanced-level degree program studies thorough advanced aviation’s theoretical and practical teachings and instructions. 

• Civil Aviation Medicine (Certificate):

This short-term course gives students the knowledge to perform a detailed and thorough check-up of the cabin crew and if they are healthy enough to manage the airborne environment. 

• Aeromedical Retrieval and Transport (Diploma): 

Like the other Aerospace Medicine programmes, this course provides detailed and practical knowledge of aeromedical evacuation and retrieval medicine.

• Aerospace Medicine (Diploma): 

While pursuing this diploma course, students are introduced to various aspects of flight medicine such as pathology, clinical, psychology, physiology and other operation aviation medicine.

What is the Eligibility Criteria?

Are you wondering whether you’re eligible to enrol in Aerospace Medicine courses? Well, there are specific prerequisites that you need to fulfil to pursue a career in aerospace medicine both here in India and abroad, which are as follows:

• Since most aerospace medicine courses are available at the master’s level, you must have completed your MBBS degree or equivalent medical science courses with the minimum percentage specified by your chosen university.
• Most universities also demand that applicants clear NEET PG to pursue an aerospace medicine degree.
• If you’re planning to move out and study aerospace or aviation medicine abroad, you will have to provide MCAT scores and other language proficiency scores such as IELTS, TOEFL, PTE, etc. At the same time, you’ll also have to submit a lucrative SOP (Statement of Purpose) and LORs (Letters of Recommendation).

Which are the Top Universities?

Since aerospace medicine is still evolving as a pivotal sub-field of medical science, multiple medical institutions in India and worldwide offer a plethora of courses in this field. In addition, the following are some key universities here in India and abroad providing a huge range of degree and diploma courses in aerospace medicine.

Universities in India.

• Institute Of Aerospace Medicine Indian Air Force Bangalore, Bangalore.
• AKU Patna – Aryabhatta Knowledge University.
• Sri Sarada College for Women, Tirunelveli.

Universities Abroad

• King’s College London
• The University of Sydney
• University of Pretoria
• University of Otago
• University of North Dakota
• Wright State University
• Auckland University of Technology

Career Opportunities in Aerospace Medicine

Now that you have a clear idea of what aerospace medicine is, how to pursue a career in aerospace medicine, plus colleges that offer you the course. It is time to dive deep and discover the career opportunities that aerospace medicine has to offer!

Combining the massive spectrum of Medical Science with Aerospace and Aviation, there is an array of sectors offering career prospects in aerospace medicine. Here is a list of a few career options you can choose from after completing a degree in Aerospace Medicine:

• NASA
• Federal Aviation Administration 
• National Transport and Safety Board
• Airline Medical department
• Airline Medical clinic
• Aerospace Manufacturing
• Commercial Spaceflight Operations
• Military

How Much will you Earn?

Aerospace medicine has several companies worldwide that are dedicated and connected to making space-related medicines and other medications. Several career positions are available for students who have successfully completed their training in aerospace medicine! Their average salary package for aerospace medicine in India starts from Rs. ₹21,17,712 (INR)/yr!

What’s in Store for the Future?

The field of Aerospace Medicine is growing and developing each passing day with the advent of biotechnology and inventions in aviation as well. Further, it has grown into a varied array of domains such as,

• Space Medicine 
• Clinical/Civil/Military Aerospace Medicine
• Emergency Aerospace Medicine
• Operational Medicine
• Research and Development 
• Interplanetary & Space Station Medicine
• Gerontology & Geriatric Aerospace Medicine 
• Industrial Aerospace Medicine 

So it’s safe to say you’re in excellent hands when it comes to securing a steady and solid future after pursuing a career in aerospace medicine!

If aerospace medicine is your call, let Mentoria help make your dreams a reality! Or even if you’re still unclear about whether you should pursue a career in aerospace medicine? We are here for you as well! 

Contact Mentoria and get the answers and solutions to all your questions right away!