AIR FORCE FLYING WHILE PREGNANT POLICY REVIEWED, PILOTS NOW GROUNDED
The Air Force has updated its flight rules for pregnant aircrew in an effort to reduce the risk of miscarriage for service members. Pilots and crew are no longer allowed to fly if they’re pregnant during their first trimester; however, there are still waivers available for some. Learn more about these changes and additional restrictions aiming to help warfighters and their children remain safe.
Air Force No Longer Allows Flying While Pregnant During the First Trimester
The Air Force has changed its rules for flying while pregnant yet again to help avoid risks associated with the first trimester and miscarriages.
Pilots and crewmembers are now barred from flying when pregnant during their first trimester, even though there were no specific cases involving pregnant airmen prompting the change.
Rose Riley works as an Air Force spokeswoman and announced that the new guidelines in the USAF are more in line with what other branches follow when it comes to restricting pregnant service members from flying.
New USAF Guidelines for Pregnant Airmen
Despite changes under the Biden administration, new data is prompting a change in how pregnant Airmen fly to reduce complications with their pregnancies. Here’s how the new guidelines break down by trimester:
First Trimester (Weeks 1–12)
Airmen can’t fly when pregnant in any capacity due to the higher risk of miscarriage. No waivers are allowed.
Second Trimester (Weeks 13–27)
Flying is allowed with a waiver, but only in aircraft without ejection seats. This includes cargo planes, helicopters, and tankers.
Third Trimester (Weeks 28–32)
Flying is still allowed with a waiver in non-ejection seat aircraft. New regulations have extended the previous cutoff from 28 to 32 weeks, as the data found no extra risk for airmen during this period. However, after week 32, flying is not permitted for anyone pregnant.
The Waiver Process for Flying While Pregnant in the Air Force
If you’re a pregnant Airman, you can receive a waiver under the right circumstances, between weeks 13 and 32.
Air Force major commands will be in charge of approving the waivers rather than local flight surgeons. This includes the following:
- Air Combat Command
- Air Education and Training Command
- Air Force Global Strike Command
- Air Force Materiel Command
- Air Force Reserve Command
- Air Force Special Operations Command
- Air Mobility Command
- Pacific Air Forces
- United States Air Forces in Europe – Air Forces Africa.
The shift is going to allow people with more experience to make the decision on whether or not there is a health risk for everyone involved.
A big emphasis is being put on the ban for flying in aircraft with ejection seats while pregnant, as they can generate between 15Gs and 25Gs of force when used. A significant increase from the 3Gs experienced during normal flight operations.
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