In a big win for aspiring pilot Adam Harry who identifies as a transgender as well as the entire community, the aviation safety regulator has for the first time framed new medical guidelines that allow transgender persons who have completed their gender transition therapy or surgery to be declared fit to fly. An ongoing hormone therapy will also not be a ground for disqualification.
The Directorate General of Civil Aviation on August 10 issued guidelines for aeromedical evaluation of transgender persons for obtaining medical clearance for all categories of pilot’s license- private pilot’s license, student’s pilot license and commercial pilot license. These say that transgender candidates who have completed their hormone therapy and gender affirmation surgery more than five years back will be declared medically fit provided they clear screening for mental health in accordance with World Professional Association for Transgender Health.
If transgender applicants have completed the treatment within the past five years, they will have to undergo a psychological and psychiatric evaluation apart from a detailed report from their treating endocrinologist as well as a report from the surgeon, if there has been a surgery within the past one year. After an evaluation of these submissions, applicants can be declared fit.
