Do flight surgeons have to fly?
Do flight surgeons have to fly? Consequently, to this day, their successor U.S. Air Force Flight Surgeons are considered aeronautically rated aircrew members who receive flight pay and who are required to fly a certain number of hours monthly.
Are flight surgeons actual surgeons?
The title “flight surgeon” is a bit confusing, because most of these doctors are not pilots, nor do they perform surgery. However, they do work to help crew members navigate extreme stress and medical problems they face while working in the air or in space.
Is there a doctor on every flight?
A doctor may not always be seated in the cabin on your flight, but most commercial airlines are aware that in-flight medical emergencies can happen (I've written about one or two such instances myself in my time at USA TODAY). Most carriers contract with on-the-ground experts in emergency medicine at altitude.