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Since its emergence in Wuhan, China, COVID-19 has spread and had a profound effect on the lives and health of people around the globe. Most people who develop COVID-19 fully recover, but current evidence suggests approximately 10% to 20% of people experience a variety of mid- and long-term effects after they recover from their initial illness. These mid- and long-term effects are collectively known as post covid-19 condition or “long COVID”. Studies have shown that a significant number of patients complain of multiple symptoms over a period of several months or longer. The symptoms of long covid include fatigue or muscle weakness, dyspnea, cognitive impairment, and depression or anxiety. These chronic symptoms can also negatively affect aviation safety. Therefore, this review summarizes studies of the long-term effects of COVID-19, and aeromedical implications of long COVID.

Since its emergence in Wuhan, China, COVID-19 has spread and had a profound effect on the lives and health of people around the globe. Most people who develop COVID-19 fully recover, but current evidence suggests approximately 10% to 20% of people experience a variety of mid- and long-term effects after they recover from their initial illness. These mid- and long-term effects are collectively known as post covid-19 condition or "long COVID". Studies have shown that a significant number of patients complain of multiple symptoms over a period of several months or longer. The symptoms of long covid include fatigue or muscle weakness, dyspnea, cognitive impairment, and depression or anxiety. These chronic symptoms can also negatively affect aviation safety. Therefore, this review summarizes studies of the long-term effects of COVID-19, and aeromedical implications of long COVID. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pilot fatigue is a great hazard to aviation safety. In recent years, long-distance fights have been increasing and flight hours have been increasing, which has made fatigue issues important. International organizations in the aviation sectors (ICAO, FAA, IATA etc.) recommend management of fatigue within the SMS (Safety Management System) framework. A scientific and systematic approach to measuring fatigue is required as a prerequisite to preparing safety management measures for pilot’s fatigue. Therefore, in this study, I would like to consider recent trends and implications for fatigue measurement. First, I aimed to consider recent the accident cases related to fatigue. Second, I also considered how to measure the pilot’s fatigue. Finally, the direction of the countermeasures against fatigue through fatigue measurement was developed and suggested.

Pilot fatigue is a great hazard to aviation safety. In recent years, longdistance fights have been increasing and flight hours have been increasing, which has made fatigue issues important. International organizations in the aviation sectors (ICAO, FAA, IATA etc.) recommend management of fatigue within the SMS (Safety Management System) framework. A scientific and systematic approach to measuring fatigue is required as a prerequisite to preparing safety management measures for pilot's fatigue. Therefore, in this study, I would like to consider recent trends and implications for fatigue measurement. First, I aimed to consider recent the accident cases related to fatigue. Second, I also considered how to measure the pilot's fatigue. Finally, the direction of the countermeasures against fatigue through fatigue measurement was developed and suggested. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aims to address the long-term efficacy and safety of laser refractive surgery performed on Republic of Korea Air Force pilot with low-moderate myopia. This retrospective study included 178 eyes of 89 patients who were treated with laser refractive surgery from 2007 to 2014. Follow-up visits were made at 3 months, 6 months, 1 year, 3 years, 5 years, and 7 years. The main outcome measures were stability of visual acuity, refraction, and postoperative complications. Visual acuity and refraction were point. 91.7% patients achieved visual acuity of 20/25 or better, and 91.3% patients obtained refractive error within ±1.00 D. Laser refractive surgery for pilot is a effective and safe procedure in the long-term. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The fatigue is the highest physiological factors that cause the flight accident and also accidental damage is very severe. For this reason, it is encouraged to be included in 'National priority actions list' for managing strictly. International aviation organizations such as ICAO, FAA and EASA conduct different angles of review and apply FRMS (Fatigue Risk Management System) and international standards for fatigue management. This is also considered in the military field like US Air Force. In this study, we investigate the trends and measures for the fatigue management of pilots in aviation safety management into a multi-faceted perspective. First, we study causes, symptoms and phenomena about pilot fatigue and examined approaches for pilot fatigue management in civil/military aviation areas through various regulations. One investigates FLT (Flight Time Limitation), FRMS and information of fatigue measurement system on the organizational side as countermeasures for fatigue. Moreover, on the personal side, sleep management, napping, drug treatment for alertness maintain, caffeine intake, exercise and relaxation methods, etc. were considered. The awareness of fatigue, fatigue management development, integrating SMS (Safety Management System) and ORM (Operation Risk Management) into fatigue management, fatigue voluntary reporting system and fatigue management by FOQA/LOSA should be considered for effective and progressive fatigue management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Over-the-counter (OTC) drugs are usually approved for use in flight while some are not. The laboratory results showed that pilots are often motivated to consider the use of OTC medications. But those who do not have enough knowledge or have inappropriate information sometimes have to make proper decisions on OTC drug usage under more complicated constraints of a safety-critical job. To better understand how pilots come to use OTC drugs, this paper provides a summing-up suggestion for pilots' decisions about using OTC drug products. In this paper factors were discussed that could influence drug trends and some guidance for safe medication were presented. In addition, the author argues that pilots should be provided with additional guidance when making decisions about OTC drug use. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) is characterized by repetitive episodes of partial or complete airway collapse during sleep leading to various signs and symptoms including loud or habitual snoring, non-restorative sleep, excessive daytime sleepiness, decreased concentration, memory loss, personality change, etc. If left untreated, OSAS can result in significant cardiovascular or other medical complications and life-threatening consequences such as automobile or industrial accidents. Therefore, OSAS should be diagnosed and treated promptly. The prevalence of OSAS is generally estimated to be 4-5% in men and 2-3% in women and it can affect anyone including pilot and air-traffic controller. The relationship between OSAS and driver is relatively well known. However, there is little study identifying the relationship between OSAS and pilot. Further investigation and policy for pilot with OSAS should be required. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]