When are licensed physicians considered effective in aviation service as flight surgeons?

Licensed physicians become effective flight surgeons in aviation service after completing the Aerospace Medicine Primary Course. This specialized training is crucial because it equips doctors with the knowledge and skills specifically related to aerospace medicine, including the physiological challenges faced by aircrew and passengers at various altitudes, the impacts of flight on the human body, and the requirements for maintaining medical standards in aviation.

This course addresses unique factors such as depressurization, hypoxia, and the effects of high-G maneuvers, which are not typically covered in general medical training. By completing this program, flight surgeons gain insights into aeromedical evacuation, managing in-flight emergencies, and understanding the intersection between aviation operations and health care.

While other milestones, such as completion of specialized training or passing a board examination, are important for a physician's overall capabilities, they do not directly confer the specific readiness needed for the unique responsibilities encountered in aviation medicine. Thus, the completion of the Aerospace Medicine Primary Course is the key requirement that certifies a physician as effective in the role of a flight surgeon.