4th European Conference in Aerospace Medicine

Novotel Bucarest City Center Hotel, Bucharest, Romania.
5th - 7th September 2014

ECAM 2014 Bucharest Programme (PDF)

ECAM 2014 Bucharest Summary (PDF)

The 4th European Conference in Aerospace Medicine will be held on 5th, 6th and 7th September 2014 at the Novotel Bucarest City Center Hotel, Bucharest.

Read more

3rd European Conference in Aerospace Medicine

Sheraton Skyline Hotel, Heathrow, London
ECAM 2012 was held with great success the 9th - 11th November 2012
Many thanks to all attendees!

---

www.ecam2012.eu

The 3rd European Conference in Aerospace Medicine will be held on 9th,10th and 11th November 2012 at the Sheraton Skyline Hotel, Heathrow, London.

The theme is Medicine in the Extreme Environment, and will include clinical sessions on the challenges of illness in remote situations, the physiology of extremes, and the aeromedical aspects of space tourism. There will be presentations of scientific papers throughout the weekend, and poster displays.

A gala dinner will take place on Saturday evening, and there will be a programme for accompanying persons, including transport into the city of London.

Full details will be on www.esam.aero & www.aame.co.uk in late 2011. Booking will be available from Spring 2012, with big discounts for early booking packages.

The organising committee from ESAM and AAME look forward to welcoming you to London in Olympic year for what we hope will be a world class conference.

Download leaflet (PDF)

ECAM 2008 Abstracs & Presentations
13-14th November 2008

ECAM NOV. 13-14- 2008, BUDAPEST (PAST EVENT)

Dear visitors of the ESAM homepage,
We are happy to announce the preliminary program for the meeting of the European Society of Aerospace Medicine and the draft for the program of the scientific meeting ECAM (European Conference of Aerospace Medicine). If you plan to join Scientific Meeting and the General Assembly please use the reservation form. The organization team under the guidance of Dr. Gabor Hardicsay at Budapest would highly appreciate if you could do your registration before end of September to have more time to make the necessary planning arrangements.
Looking forward seeing you all at Budapest
Hans Pongratz

ECAM Budapest Registration/Reservation Form (PDF)

ECAM Budapest Program (PDF)

Final ECAM Budapest Time Schedule (PDF)

On Saturday Nov 15, 2008 the General Assembly of ESAM and the selection of the new Executive Committee will take place.

ECAM-2
2nd European Conference of Aerospace Medicine
5th Panhellenic Conference in Aviation & Space Medicine

We thank you all for joining us in Athens for the 2nd European Conference of Aerospace Medicine (ECAM). Presentations and documents from the event will later be available on this website.

ASMA - After-action report on ECAM 2010 (PDF)

Abstracts and Presentations

1. Title: THE USE OF ADVANCED HUMAN-CENTERED TECHNOLOGIES IN THE REDUCTION OF AIRCRAFT MISHAPS: PROBLEM OR PANACEA Author(s) Name: A. Bellenkes Presentation (not yet available) Abstract (PDF)

2. Title: LIFE STRESS. IMPACT IN AIR CREW PERFORMANCE Author(s) Name: . D. Rikos Presentation (not yet available) Abstract (not yet available)

3. Title: THE EXISTING TRAINING ON HUMAN LIMITATIONS IN AVIATION – IS IT USEFUL ENOUGH? Author(s) Name: E.A. Cataman Presentation (PDF) Abstract (PDF)

4. Title: HUMAN FACTORS ANALYSIS AND CLASSIFICATION SYSTEM (HFACS) APPLIED TO THE HELIOS 5B-DBY ACCIDENT Author(s) Name: Ph. Christophides, G. Athanasiou Presentation (PDF) Abstract (PDF)

5. Title: EXTENDED FLIGHT DUTY PERIODS AND ALERTNESS-RELATED FLIGHT SAFETY Author(s) Name: R. Simons, E.S. Wilschut, P.J.L. Valk Presentation (PDF) Presentation - FATIGUE RISK MANAGEMENT (PDF) Abstract (PDF)

6. Title: THE INFLUENCE OF SLEEPINESS ON PILOT PERFORMANCE IN A FLIGHT SIMULATOR Author(s) Name: P. Kousoulis, Visimopoulou, D. Bouchorikos, Z. Rammos, K. Pouloupatis, G.Alevetsovitis, V.Moutevelis Presentation (not yet available) Abstract (PDF)

7. Title: STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURES (SOPS) Author(s) Name: S. Filippidis Presentation (not yet available) Abstract (not yet available)

8. Title: ORTHOKERATOLOGY AS AN ALTERNATIVE TO REFRACTIVE SURGERY FOR PILOTS Author(s) Name: Aslanides Ioannis, Toliou Georgia, Padroni Sara, Selimis Vassileios Presentation (not yet available) Abstract (PDF)

9. Title: VISUAL CONTRAST SENSITIVITY CHANGES DURING ORTHOSTATIC LOAD Author(s) Name: P. Dosel, J. Petricek, J. Hanousek Poster presentation (PDF) Abstract (PDF)

10. Title: STANDARDIZATION PROJECT FOR SPEECH DISCRIMINATION TESTING Author(s) Name: M. Polet Presentation (not yet available) Abstract (PDF)

11. Title: A LABORATORY MODEL FOR THE STUDY OF THE EFFECT OF +Gz FORCES ON THE CERVICAL SPINE OF FIGHTER PILOTS Author(s) Name: O Paxinos, M Zindrick, L Voronov, R Havey, G Garandang, A Patwardhan Presentation (not yet available) Abstract (PDF)

12. Title: SIMULTANEITY AND RECOVERY PATTERNS, OF CO2 AND O2 PULMONARY GAS EXCHANGE MODELS, FOR EXTREME ENVIRONMENTAL PREDICTIONS Author(s) Name: J. D. Sharma Presentation (not yet available) Abstract (PDF)

13. Title: DIABETES MELLITUS: AN AVIATION MEDICINE POINT OF VIEW Author(s) Name: Felice Strollo, Paolo Tosco, Concetta Dentico, Enrico Tomao Presentation (PDF) Abstract (PDF)

14. Title: ANTICOAGULATON AND FITNESS TO FLY Author(s) Name: R. Maire, S. Muff Presentation (not yet available) Abstract (PDF)

15. Title: MELATONIN FOR COMMERCIAL AIRCREW? Author(s) Name: R. Simons, P.J.L. Valk Presentation (PDF) Abstract (PDF)

16. Title: MEDICAL REASONS FOR DEFINITIVE UNFITNESS FOR WORK OF AIR TRAFFIC CONTROLLERS AT EUROCONTROL Author(s) Name: R. Vermeiren Presentation (PDF) Abstract (PDF)

17. Title: THE SITE OF EJECTION (LAND OR SEA) AFFECTS PILOT MORTALITY AND MORBIDITY Author(s) Name: P. Kousoulis, V.Zisimopoulou, G.Alevetsovitis, V.Moutevelis Presentation (not yet available) Abstract (PDF)

18. Title: NECK AND BACK PAIN IN CYPRUS HELICOPTER PILOTS Author(s) Name: G. Stylianides Presentation (not yet available) Abstract (not yet available)

19. Title: USE OF LUMBAR SUPPORTS BY CYPRUS AIR FORCE HELICOPTER PILOTS Author(s) Name: G. Stylianides Presentation (not yet available) Abstract (not yet available)

20. Title: MEDICAL CERTIFICATION OF PILOTS IN RUSSIA Author(s) Name: K. Elena Presentation (PDF) Abstract (PDF)

21. Title: INVESTIGATION AND ASSESSMENT OF ATYPICAL PATHOLOGICAL EEG FINDINGS IN PILOT CANDIDATED AT LOW PRESSURE CHAMBER Author(s) Name: D. Naoumis Presentation (not yet available) Abstract (not yet available)

22. Title: STRESS RELATED SYNDROMES IN AIRCREW: DOES THE PHARMACOLOGICAL TREATMENT AFFECT THE PERFORMANCE? Author(s) Name: S. Izzo, G. Arduino, P. Calanna Presentation (PDF) Abstract (PDF)

23. Title: SEAT VIBRATION IN MILITARY HELICOPTERS IN SERVICE WITH CYPRUS AIR FORCE: CHARACTERIZATION, AND EXPOSURE ASSESSMENT Author(s) Name: G. Stylianides Presentation (not yet available) Abstract (not yet available)

24. Title: NON-INVASIVE CARDIOVASCULAR DIAGNOSTICS IN HUMAN-USE CENTRIFUGE CLASSICAL METHODS IN NEW CONTEXT Author(s) Name: C. Ledderhos Presentation (not yet available) Abstract (not yet available)

25. Title: LEFT BUNDLE-BRANCH BLOCK WITH UNFAVOURABLE OUTCOMES REPORT OF TWO CASES AND REVIEW OF THE AEROMEDICAL DECISION MAKING Author(s) Name: G. Hardicsay and Á. Wolkóber Presentation (PDF) Abstract (PDF)

26. Title: STRESS RELATED DISORDERS IN FLIGHT ATTENDANTS Author(s) Name: V. BALOESCU, A. BALOESCU, G. CROITORU, I. PANAIT Presentation (not yet available) Abstract (PDF)

27. Title: REDUCING RISK FAKTORS OF HUNGARIAN OBES PILOTS WITH BODY COMPOSITION MONITOR Author(s) Name: P. Vaskó, I. Melles, L. Ungváry Poster presentation (PDF) Abstract (PDF)

28. Title: ACCELERATION SYMPTOMS IN MILITARY PILOT TRAINEES Author(s) Name: P.Kousoulis, N.Kritsimas, A.Christodoulou, G.Alevetsovitis, V.Moutevelis Presentation (not yet available) Abstract (PDF)

29. Title: DOES G FORCE INCREASE THE INCIDENCE OF VARICOCELE IN AIR FORCE PILOT CADETS? Author(s) Name: P. Kousoulis, K. Skrepetis, G. Athanasiades Presentation (not yet available) Abstract (PDF)

30. Title: MEDICAL SUPPORT OF A MILITARY AIR SHOW IN GREECE Author(s) Name: O. Paxinos Presentation (not yet available) Abstract (PDF)

• 
• 
• 
• 
•  

Program September 15 to 18

Poster sessions will be in SAGA HALL C both Friday and Saturday 08.30 until 18:00.

ECAM 2016 has been granted 15 European CME credits (ECMEC) by the European Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (EACCME) - according to the principles given by the The European Accreditation Council for CME (EACCME®)

Thursday - 15 September

18:00: Reception. The Conference will open with a reception in the Oslo City Hall by kind invitation of the Mayor of Oslo. This will be followed by a guided tour of the City Hall.
LEAVING THE HOTEL AT 1700 BY BUS

Friday - 16 September
Place: SAGA HALL A+B

09:00 Opening ceremony: Presidents of ESAM, AsMA and NAAM

Why have a pilot?

The morning session will question whether the human being is always the weak link in a safety management system. Presentations and discussions will discuss the medical and human performance factors related to pilot performance and aviation mishaps.
09:30 - 10:15: Key note: Safety management systems in aviation. : Stein Eric Nodeland, Director General of Norwegian Civil Aviation Authority. Former fighter pilot and Inspector General Norwegian Air Force.
10:15 - 11:00: Presentation of abstracts
10:15-10:30 Is There an Aerospace Medicine Specialist On-Board? – Eilis Boudreau
10:30-10:45 Possible spatial disorientation during a short field landing approach in Northern Norway –J. Sandvik
10:45-11:00 Remote Pilot Aircraft (RPA-UAVs) Medical Requirements – Francisco Rios de Tejeda
11:00 - 11:30: Morning coffee/tea break
11:30 - 12:00: Do we need the lift (elevator)boy? Wim Huson, Master in aeronautical engineering, experienced test pilot.
There are many things that are taken for granted, for example in the past the presence of an attendant in every elevator. This concept will be explored within the context of future pilotless commercial aircraft, and the role of the human being in complex systems.
12:00 - 12:30: UAVs, The solution? Paul Young, MD, Colonel, United States Air Force, Command Surgeon.
This presentation will discuss the practicalities of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles operations in a military setting, and in particular the psychological problems of the remote operator. As commercial aviation considers pilotless aircraft, similar human-based problems must be anticipated and properly considered.
12:30 - 13:00: Panel discussion
13:00-14:00 Lunch

It is too cold outside for angels to fly. Aspects of cold weather aviation.

The title of the presentation is a quotation. The session will cover the challenges of aviation operations in extreme cold. The impact of extreme cold on aircrew health and performance as well as ground support personnel will be considered.
14:00- 14:40: Extreme challenges in polar areas, Borge Ousland, world famous explorer and adventurer.
A first-hand account of the challenges to human physiology and psychology of polar exploration.
14:45 -15:15: Presentation abstracts 14:45-15:00 Norwegian NATO winter survival course – Martinsen - RNoAF 15:00-15:15 Can thermography identify subjects under high risk of cold injury? Arne Johan Norheim
15:20-16:00: ''No one is dead until they are warm and dead'. Human thermal physiology. Professor Hein Daanen.
16:00 Afternoon tea break.

16:20-18:20: ESAM General Assembly. Place: Bergmann

16:15 – 19:00 CMO AME training session. Place: Saga Hall A+B

16:30-18:15: Abstract session for those not involved in GA or AME training Place: Auditorium A and B

Abstract session 1 -16:30 to 18:15.
16:30-16:45 Risk stratification and call for declaration of acceptable risks – R. Maire
16:45-17:00 Use of modern cardiovascular risk scoring methods in aeromedical assessment of professional Pilots – H.Bauer
17:00-17:15 Delayed myocardial enhancement in MRI scan: Role in aeromedical decisions – F. Palumbo
17:15-17:30 Cardiac Pacemaker due to Progressive AV-Block – C. Wonhas
17:30-17:45 Increased cerebral blood flow in routine hypobaric training – P. Sherman
17:45-18:00 Loss of axonal integrity following repetitive hypobaric exposure – S. McGuire
18:00-18:15 Management of Atypical Chamber Induced DCS – J. Gentry

Abstract session 2 -16:30 to 18:15
16:30-16:45 Military aviation accidents in Norway from 1946 to 2016: Questioning the see-and-avoid principle – A. Meland
16:45-17:00 Experiences on military pilots physical training – P. Luhtala-Deimel/H. Rintala
17:00-17:15 Prediction of physical fitness of military pilots after 10 years of service in the Finnish Air Force – T. Honkanen
17:15-17:30 Effects of training on flight related transient Low Back Pain among helicopter pilots- K.Andersen
17:30-17:45 General Aviation Pilots over 70 years old: a challenge for AMEs – A. Vuorio
17:45-18:00 Commercial Spaceflight Crew Medical Certification concerning Pneumothorax – V. Modi
18:00-18:15 Mental health of pilots and the current regulatory environment – J. Siedenburg

Friday evening: No pre-arranged events.

Saturday - 17 September
Place: Saga A+B

'Mad, bad or just dangerous to know' Aerospace specialists and mental health.

This session will cover many of the aspects brought to light following the German Wings tragedy in Europe.
08:30-08:45 ‘Secrets and lies. Aeromedical Specialists, pilot mental health and confidentiality. Kevin Herbert. President ESAM.
This presentation will review the problems related to the balance between medical confidentiality and public safety that were highlighted in the German Wings enquiry, and consider the methods by which a relationship of trust can exist.
08:45-09:45: Presentation of abstracts.
08:45-09:00 The Pilot-AME Relationship: Developing Trust and Working Alliance Strategies – Trang Dao
09:00-09:15 The role of aeromedical experts in the screening of borderline medico-psychological situations – Olivier Manen
09:15-09:30 Medico-psychological assessment of aircrew members: the role of the psychiatrist and psychologist expert in France- M. Colas
09:30-09:45 Psychoactive substance screening in French aircrew members – J. Monin
09:45 to 10:15. Pilots, doctors and psychologists 'of one mind' The ESAM, ECA,EAAP collaboration. Andre Droog, President European Association of Aviation Psychologists.
This presentation will discuss the unprecedented collaboration between pilot representatives, medical specialists and aviation psychologists
10:15 to 11:00 Presentation of abstracts

10:15-10:30 Psychological evaluation: input for safety – E. Cataman
10:30-10:45 ”Pilot-in-the-Loop” aeromedical decision making – A systematic Norwegian approach. Hedy Ranfelt
10:45-11:00 Guidelines for aeromedical decision making in psychiatry, eg. Depression – F. Weber, GAFCAM
11:00 -11:30: Morning tea coffee break.
11:30- 12:00: 11:30-12:00 ' Does every pilot need a Wingman ' Quay Snyder, MD, Aeromedical Advisor to the Airline Pilots Association
This presentation will review the experience of establishing a pilot peer support programme for pilots.
12:00 -12:30: 'Does every doctor need a wingman' Vivienne Fonne, Senior Advisor Aviation Psychology, Norwegian Armed Forces (RNoAF), Institute of Aviation Medicine.
This presentation will consider the potential benefits of peer support for aeromedical specialists.
12:30--13:00: Panel discussion.
13:00-14:00 Lunch.
Does regulation make a difference in Aerospace Medicine?.
14:00-14:30: : Regulation in the 21st century….and beyond. Speaker: Ansa Jordaan, Chief of the Aviation Medicine Section at the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO)
This presentation will review the challenges and opportunities for aerospace regulation in the future.
14:30-15:45: Presentation of abstracts
14:30-14:45 The German Approach after EUROWINGS – F. Grell
14:45-15:00 Proposal to Implement the AsMA Mental Health Working Group Recommendations: Mental Health Evaluation – L. Van Osdell III
15:00-15:15 A Review of Unannounced Drug and Alcohol testing amongst aircrews - Nomy Ahmed
15:15-15:30 Negative-life events as a screening tool for mental health risks – D. de Rooy
15:30-15:45 Cumulative fatigue among pilots and cabin crew – E. Goffeng
15:45 -16:15 Regulating the 'low risk aviator' the challenge to FAA Class 3. Dr Mike Berry. MD, Deputy Federal Air Surgeon, Office of Aerospace Medicine, FAA
This presentation will review a number of initiatives in the US which challenge the concept of routine medical screening of aviators. The concept of ‘low risk’ will be discussed.
16:15-16:45: Afternoon tea/coffee
16:30-17:00: 16:45-17:15 Different approaches to MH assessment. Dan Danczyk, MD, Fellow in aerospace medicine at Mayo Clinic and board-certified psychiatrist.
The preliminary results of an international survey exploring the approach to mental illness in aviators amongst medical specialists will be presented.
17:15-17:40: Panel discussion.

19:00: Drinks reception.
19:30: Gala dinner. Place: SAGA Hall A - C. With recital, handover of ESAM badge of office.
Dress code. ‘Black tie’, national costume, military uniform or simply ‘dress to impress’
Sunday - 18 September.
Place: Saga Hall A+B

 

Commercial Space travel. Really?

08:30-09:10 Is it worth the cost? Joan Vernikos, Ph.D, was Director of Life Sciences at NASA Headquarters from 1993 until September, 2000.
This presentation will review the potential financial and human cost as mankind embarks upon commercial space travel.
09:15 - 09:45: Presentation of abstracts
09:15-09:30 A marathon in Space: Timothy Peake’s London Marathon on the ISS – F. de Jong, ESA
09:30-09:45 ESA Medical Operations meets Science – K. Rosenquist, ESA
109:45-10:15 Do we have the vision for a mission to Mars.? Claudia Stern, MD, Ophthalmologist, Head of the DLR (Deutsches Zentrum für Luft- und Raumfahrt) -Flight Medicine Clinic.
This presentation will review the latest research into visual problems, and other physiological challenges, associated with long duration space travel.
10:15-11:15 Presentation of abstracts.
10:15-10:30 Radiation monitoring for human spaceflight – European current and future activities U. Straube, ESA
10:30-10:45 Arrhythmias in candidate scientist astronauts – E. Seedhouse, Embry-Riddle
10:45-11:00 Bone mass gain in the skull during spaceflight – M. Gallagher
11:00-11:15 Improving medical cosmonauts selection – Y. Voronkov
11:15 - 11:45: Morning coffee/tea break
11:45 - 12:15: 'This year, next year, sometime never' An overview. Ries Simons, MD, Chair of ESAM Advisory Board.
This presentation will cover the history of commercial space travel to date, and the human factors which may be an impediment to it in the future.
12:15 - 12:45 Panel discussion
12:45 -13:00: Conference close. President ESAM/AsMA/NAAM

13:00 - 14:00: Lunch

In a joint initiative to strengthen the relationship between aviation medical examiners and pilots, the European associations ESAM, EAAP and ECA have issued today their joint approach to medical and mental fitness assessments of pilots. It endorses a key set of guidelines developed by the Aerospace Medical Association (AsMA). This step constitutes a milestone in strengthening aeromedical assessments, taking into account the increasing relevance of psychosocial stressors, mental health aspects, and the changing working environment that pilots are exposed to. Read more

Joint statement by the European Society of Aerospace Medicine (ESAM), the European Association for Aviation Psychology (EAAP) and the European Cockpit Association (ECA) on the Aerospace Medical Association (AsMA) Pilot Mental Health: Expert Working Group Recommendations – Revised 2015

The three organisations have individually, and jointly, reviewed the latest AsMA pilot mental health recommendations of Sept. 2015 and wish to endorse them as a valuable guidance for assessing pilot health, and – more generally – for raising awareness of mental health issues.

Read more

I am a European Englishman who spent 25 years working as a General Practitioner in the NHS. There followed a few years on the 'dark side' as Chief Executive of an NHS Health Trust, during which I built a hospital. My Private Pilots Licence led to an interest in Aviation medicine, leading to a six month sabbatical in 1999, for the Diploma in Aviation Medicine.

Secretary, since 2006, and Chairman, from April 2011, of the Association of Aviation Medicine Examiners and a member of the ESAM executive since 2008, I split my time between my thriving AME practice, the AAME, ESAM, and a bit of ornamental farming. I ride a Harley...when dry.

There is one nominee for the post of President elect:

Dr. Anthony S. Wagstaff has been active in the field of Aviation Medicine for over 20 years, both in Clinical Aviation Medicine, Research and Teaching, as well as a Civilian and Military advisor. Read more

Dear Presidents of the Member Organisations of ESAM,

The Nomination Committee is making the preliminary arrangements for the election of the President Elect at the General Assembly on Sunday 20th September 2015. Read more

1. Due to economic pressure, requiring maximal aircraft and aircrew utilization, aircrew is increasingly confronted with irregular duties, long flight duty periods, early starts, late arrivals, night flying, and circadian disruption.
2. This may lead to impaired sleep and cumulative sleep debt, lowered alertness, and fatigue, which may affect flight safety and health.
3. Within the existing flight time limitations it may be possible to construct schedules where a combination of factors gives rise to high levels of fatigue, discontented aircrew, and/or high sick leave rates.
4. Aircrew fatigue should be prevented as much as practically possible (ALARP principle).
5. The fact that no accidents attributable to fatigue have occurred within an airline should not be used as evidence that the fatigue-related safety risk is acceptable or that the operations are optimally safe.
6. Instead, airlines should adopt a ‘just’ culture.i in which fatigue reports of aircrew should be used to identify and analyze unacceptably fatiguing rotations and take appropriate action in order to reduce the safety risk.
7. ESAM recommends implementing Fatigue Risk Management Systems in combination with Basic Flight and Duty Time Rules, based on scientific evidence and best operational practice.

Definition of a Just Culture: ‘Individuals are not punished for actions, omissions or decisions taken by them that are commensurate with their experience and training but which result in a reportable event; but gross negligence, wilful violations and destructive acts are not tolerated’ (source Civil Aviation Authority, UK).