Welcome to the OU Office of Aerospace Medicine

We are glad you found our webpage and hope you will consider visiting us for your FAA flight evaluations. At the OU Office of Aerospace Medicine (OUOAM), we strive to be a leader in aerospace medicine, offering comprehensive services to support the health and safety of aircrew and spaceflight personnel.

Our Services Include:

• Class 1, 2, and 3 FAA Airman Medical Evaluations

• HIMS Aviation Medical Examiner (AME) Evaluations

• HIMS Psychiatric Evaluations

• Consultation and evaluation for private and commercial spaceflight

We are committed to providing the highest level of service to our aviators, the community, and the state of Oklahoma.

What Is Aerospace Medicine?

Aerospace medicine, also known as flight medicine, is a branch of preventive and occupational medicine that focuses on individuals involved in aviation and spaceflight. This includes pilots, aircrew members, astronauts, and operators of uncrewed aerial vehicles (UAVs).

Aerospace medicine physicians apply clinical knowledge to address human factors in aviation and space environments, playing a crucial role in ensuring flight safety and optimal operational performance.

What Is Aerospace Psychiatry?

Aerospace psychiatry integrates the principles of aerospace medicine into psychiatric practice across three domains:

• Civil Aviation

• Military Aviation

• Space Medicine

This subspecialty addresses mental health and cognitive readiness in high-performance and high-risk flight environments, including FAA-certified psychiatric evaluations for aircrew and astronauts.

Charles H. Dukes, M.D., FAPA 

Dr. Charles Dukes is a retired United States Army Colonel, Psychiatrist, Flight Surgeon, and Reserve Psychiatric Consultant to the surgeon general. He has served in four combat deployments, both as a flight surgeon and a psychiatrist. He works with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) as a Senior Aviation Medical Examiner, HIMS AME, HIMS psychiatrist, and psychiatric consultant to the Federal Air Surgeon. Dr. Dukes was employed as an Aerospace Psychiatrist at the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) in the Behavioral Health and Performance Operations group from 2021 to 2024. He provided mission-critical support to astronauts and NASA mission controllers, divers, and other personnel. Additionally, Dr. Dukes has been serving the medical community as a medical educator. He has remained on the faculty at the University of Oklahoma, where he has served as the psychiatry residency training director and Director of Consultation Psychiatry Services in the past.  

ACCOLADES: 

• Retired U.S. Army Colonel 

• Retired U.S. Army psychiatrist and Flight Surgeon 

• Retired Reserve Psychiatric Consultant to the Surgeon General 

• American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology, Psychiatry Certification 

• American Psychiatric Association Fellow 

• Federal Aviation Administration, Senior Aviation Medical Examiner 

• Federal Aviation Administration, HIMS AME 

• Federal Aviation Administration, HIMS Psychiatrist 

• Federal Aviation Administration, Psychiatric Consultant to the Federal Air Surgeon 

• Co-Founder and First President Aerospace Psychiatric Association 

• National Aeronautics and Space Administration, Past Aerospace Psychiatrist 

• Peer reviewer for the Journal of Aerospace Medicine and Human Performance 

CLINICAL APPOINTMENTS & AFFILIATIONS: 

•  Founder and Director of the Oklahoma Office of Aerospace Medicine 

• Vast Space, Consultant Aerospace Psychiatrist 

• University of Oklahoma College of Medicine, Clinical Associate Professor 

• Aerospace Medicine Association 

• Society of NASA Flight Surgeons 

• Society of U.S. Army Flight Surgeons 

• Aerospace Psychiatric Association 

• FAA Lecturer for Psychiatry. Aviation Medical Examiner Course 

• American Psychiatric Association

Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Medical Examinations

Our FAA-designated Aviation Medical Examiners (AMEs) provide certified medical evaluations required for pilots and aircrew.

First Class Medical Certificate

• Valid for 6 months if over age 40

• Valid for 1 year if under age 40

• First ECG required at age 35

• ECG required at age 40+ or if previous ECGs were abnormal

• An additional cost applies for ECG

Second Class Medical Certificate

• Valid for 1 year

Third Class Medical Certificate

• Valid for 5 years if under age 40

• Valid for 2 years if age 40 or older

Condition AME Can Issue (CACI)

• Certain conditions may be certified by an AME if FAA criteria are met

• Additional cost per CACI
  FAA CACI Guidelines

AME-Assisted Special Issuance (AASI)

• For disqualifying conditions that may be eligible for special medical certification

• Additional cost per AASI
  FAA AASI Information

Electrocardiogram (ECG)

• Measures the electrical activity of the heart
  More on FAA ECG Requirements

Computerized Color Vision Test

• Conducted using FAA-approved testing protocols
  FAA Color Vision Testing Info

Frequently Asked Questions by Aircrew
View FAA Medical Certification FAQs

FAA Aviation Psychiatric Evaluations

HIMS Psychiatrist Consultation

• Evaluation for aircrew in the Human Intervention Motivation Study (HIMS), a substance use treatment and monitoring program

• May include assessments for FAA antidepressant programs and other psychiatric concerns

• Conducted by FAA-trained psychiatrists with expertise in aviation and addiction

HIMS Aviation Medical Examiner (HIMS AME)

• FAA-authorized medical examiner who conducts evaluations and provides required monitoring and documentation for pilots participating in the HIMS program

Office Hours

Tuesdays ONLY: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Please arrive at least 15 minutes prior to your scheduled appointment time.

What to Bring to Your Appointment

• Government-issued photo ID (e.g., Driver’s License)

• Payment: cash, check*, money order, or cashier’s check

• HIMS Evaluation: All required documents listed in your confirmation email

• Completed forms (e.g., medical history, consent)

*Note: Personal checks with insufficient funds may delay the delivery of your report.

Directions & Parking

Download our parking map and step-by-step instructions for getting to our office:
Parking Map & Instructions (PDF)

Cancellation and Fee Policies

Cancellations made less than 24 hours prior to your scheduled appointment are subject to a $100 cancellation fee.

Additional Resources

Frequently Asked Questions by Aircrew on HIMS Evaluations & Certification
View HIMS FAQs (PDF)