FALLS CHURCH, Va. -- Air Force oversight for risk assessment of pregnant aircrew is being raised to the Major Command level based on feedback from medical professionals across the service.
Updates to the aircrew pregnancy and voluntary acceptance of risk policy are based on medical recommendations to protect aircrew while equipping medical providers and commanding officers with the necessary time to establish medical care and complete operational risk assessments before clearing pregnant aircrew to fly.
The service remains focused on identifying, analyzing and appropriately mitigating flight safety hazards and exposures to facilitate the safe and successful accomplishment of the military mission. Updates to the policy include:
First trimester. Due to the increased risk of miscarriage during the first trimester, pregnant aircrew are restricted from flying up to the first 12 weeks of the gestational period. This change reverts back to the 2019 policy and aligns the Air Force policy with the rest of the Department of Defense. Once aware of a pregnancy, female aviators must report their change in medical status to their provider.
Increased flying window: Pregnant aircrew are authorized to fly during weeks 12-32 of the gestational window. This four-week increase from the original policy is supported by medical data indicating that there is no significant risk increase between weeks 28-32.
Aircraft restrictions. In a return to the 2019 policy, pregnant aircrew cannot fly high performance aircraft or aircraft with ejection seats at any time during pregnancy. Lacking definitive medical research on G-force impact, pregnant aircrew are restricted from flying in high performance aircraft.
Waiver authority. The review authority for waivers is being raised from the installation flight surgeon to the Major Command level. The higher review authority allows flight surgeons to review cases in the aggregate.
The overall impact of physical changes of pregnancy are unpredictable and vary between individuals. If medical professionals determine aircrew members cannot fly due to any medical reason, commanders have several options to help the aircrew member continue with career progression and maintain currency.
Pregnant aircrew have other options to maintain currencies to include simulator training, academic instruction, leadership positions, and many other training opportunities and duties.