Aviation Medicine Unit

The Aviation Medicine Unit (AMU) delivers aviation medicine expertise to the Royal New Zealand Air Force through aviation medicine and aeromedical evacuation training, research and development and assistance with aviation medicine policy, in support of military air operations.

Training

The AMU offers a full training curriculum including topics on altitude physiology, spatial disorientation, fitness to fly, acceleration, night vision and alertness management. It provides classroom space and a variety of training systems including an altitude chamber for hypoxia and rapid decompression training.

The AMU altitude chamber allows aircrew to explore the edges of the flight envelope in a safe and controlled environment. Through hands-on training aircrew are able to learn the necessary techniques to react and survive in the high altitude environment.

Effective militaries must continue to train for and maintain an around-the-clock, all weather, and operational capability with great emphasis on night operations. However, training forces to function effectively at night using unaided and image-intensifying devices is a concern of the operational and aviation medicine communities. The AMU prepares forces for this operational challenge.

Aviation Medicine training programmes are offered on a commercial basis. For a complete list of Aviation Medicine training programmes or to learn more about the AMU please contact Aviation Medicine.

Research

The AMU manages the Human Performance Committee, a group dedicated to undertaking specific research projects to enhance the operational effectiveness of the Royal New Zealand Air Force. Projects and research range from test and evaluation of life support equipment, altitude physiology and training, fatigue risk management , Human Machine Interface and Human Factors. Graduate research projects are available. Please contact Aviation Medicine for more information.

Policy

The AMU provides expertise in development of medical policy for aviation in the NZDF. The AMU is also a key member of the Air and Space Interoperability Council (ASIC) (previously known as Air Standardization Coordinating Committee (ASCC) made up of member nations Australia, Canada, the United Kingdom and the United States of America. Its principal objective is to ensure member nations are able to fight side-by-side as airmen in joint and combined operations. The ASIC objectives are achieved by the standardisation of doctrine, operational procedures, material and equipment.

ASIC also exchanges technical information and arranges the free loan of equipment between member nations for test and evaluation purposes.

Medical Assessments 

The AMU undertakes the assessment of all medicals for those entering the RNZAF as ground or aircrew. About 1,200 medical assessments are carried out each year, including annual reviews of individual aircrew.