Definition
A physician designated by the Federal Aviation Administration to perform the medical examinations required for pilots to obtain or renew an FAA medical certificate. Only a designated AME — not a regular doctor — can issue an FAA medical certificate.
Plain English
A doctor approved by the FAA to examine pilots and issue the medical certificate they need in order to fly.
Context Anchor
You will encounter AMEs when applying for or renewing an FAA medical certificate, especially before or during flight training.
Derivation
From Latin medicus (physician) and examinare (to weigh or test). The 'aviation' qualifier signals that this is a doctor specifically authorized by the FAA for pilot medicals — not just any medical professional.
Why Pilots Care
A pilot cannot legally exercise the privileges of a pilot certificate without a current medical certificate issued by an AME.
Intuition Check
Do not assume an AME is just any doctor who knows aviation. In this context, an AME is a doctor specifically authorized by the FAA to handle pilot medical certification exams.
Example Sentence 1
Before her checkride, she scheduled an appointment with a local AME to renew her third class medical certificate.
Example Sentence 2
After a recent health issue, the pilot returned to the same AME for a follow-up exam to reinstate the medical certificate.