Aerospace Physiology Society (AsPS)

Welcome to the Aerospace Physiology Society’s (AsPS) Website!

We continue to update on the site regularly and hope that you will find navigation through this site intuitive as well as informative.

If you are thinking about becoming an AsPS member, please navigate to our Membership pages to find information on how to become a member and what Aerospace Medical Association and Aerospace Physiology Society membership are all about.

If you missed the last Annual Scientific Meeting of the AsMA, please take a moment to update your membership and biographical information by sending an email to the attention of the AsPS Membership Chair.

Thank you!

About the AsPS

The Aerospace Physiology Society

As a Constituent Organization of AsMA the, the AsPS:

Aerospace Physiology Society (AsPS) Objectives and Purpose:

  1. To encourage, promote, and advance the science and practice of aerospace physiology by:
  1. To enhance the professional stature of Aerospace Physiologists and associated disciplines within the Aerospace Medical Association, and

  1. To provide a single unified voice within the Aerospace Medical Association (AsMA) to present the views of the Society.

To achieve these objectives, the Society:

  1. Participates in the world’s largest and most comprehensive single annual scientific meeting dedicated to aviation, moon exploration, space and environmental medicine as a constituent organization of the Aerospace Medical Association.
  2. Recognizes outstanding leadership, research and educational achievements and research contributions with four annual awards.
  3. Promotes and participates in the administration of the Aerospace Medical Association’s Aerospace Physiology Certification Examination increasing the visibility of and interest in aerospace physiology, as well as promoting a standard of academic achievement amongst physiologists.
  4. Provides an opportunity for meaningful professional dialogue and easy exchange of information with scientists and engineers in the field of aerospace medicine with an interest in aerospace physiology, worldwide.
  5. Performs a public awareness service for the field of aerospace physiology through information on the Society’s website and social media.

About Aerospace Physiology

The Aerospace Physiology profession

Aerospace physiologists study the changes in physiological parameters associated with the aerospace environment. Their expertise is employed in the training of aviators and support staff, to encourage the anticipation of the physical challenges associated with aviation and space travel challenges such as acceleration, ejection, spatial disorientation, and hypoxia. They are knowledgeable regarding life support systems, night vision goggles, flight suits, etc., and they train aviators regarding their proper use and limitations. These specialists also incorporate practical aspects of human factors into mission preparation to ensure that aviators and mission specific staff are aware of the impact of issues like fatigue, stress, nutrition, and circadian rhythms.

Universities, the military, private industry, and government agencies use aerospace physiologists to conduct research, instruct pilots, and provide advice regarding the incorporation of human factors in system designs. They are represented in these settings with a range of educational backgrounds and practical experiences. Although there are opportunities for physiologists with Bachelor’s degrees, higher levels of education are encouraged.

The AsMA has offered certification in this vital field since 1977 through a one-day written examination administered prior to the annual scientific meeting of the Association to candidates possessing at least a baccalaureate degree in physiology and substantial experience. To prepare for this examination, a combination of texts in general physiology, as well aerospace and diving medicine, is recommended. The applicant will need to demonstrate competency in the characteristics of the atmosphere, acceleration, spatial disorientation, and the physiology of decompression, thermo-regulation, hyperbarics, respiration, and cardiovascular function. Additionally, operational topics such as positive pressure breathing, noise, and LASER radiation are covered. The examination results are revealed during the annual meeting of AsMA. Each successful candidate receives a gold pO2 pin along with their certificate and may use the trademark CAsP.

The pO2 Lapel Pin

“The pO2 design, representing the partial pressure of oxygen, was selected as the emblem or lapel pin. It was considered unique and appropriate as the essential element common to all animal physiological functions. The President of the Section, who was the pin’s designer, pursued sponsors for production of several hundred of these unique pO2 pins that would be used as a lapel pin, tie tack or fashioned into a ring or charm. Through the efforts of Bob McLaughlin and M. R. “Jim” Kaletta, President of Scott Aviation, the pO2 pin was produced in sterling silver. The pO2 pins were presented with a membership card to all members attending the following general meeting in New Orleans, LA in 1978. The generous grant from Scott Aviation made sufficient sterling silver pO2 pins available for distribution to all members of the Aerospace Physiology Section for several years. The advent of certification in aerospace physiology again raised the question of recognition and identification. Thus, the pO2 pin turned to gold for those certified in aerospace physiology beginning in 1978 and remains today as a badge of achievement with an accompanying handsome and distinctive wall certificate.”

Excerpt from The History of the Aerospace Physiology Society—Part II
Aviation, Space, and Environmental Medicine • Vol. 75, No. 1• Jan

Why Join the AsPS?

Board of Governors

Aerospace Physiology Board of Governors

The interim governing body of the Society is the Board of Governors which consists of eleven (11) voting members. The membership shall consists of the President of the Society, who serves as Chairman of the Board, the Secretary of the Society, who serves as Recorder for the Board, the Treasurer, the President-elect, the Bibliographer, the two immediate past presidents of the Society, and the four at-large members. A quorum for the Board of Governors consists of a minimum of six Board members.

Click here to view the current Aerospace Physiology Board of Governors & Committee Chairs

President:

The President shall develop the agenda for and chair the annual meetings of the Society. The President shall chair the Board of Governors and is empowered to call Board of Governors special meetings. The President shall appoint three members of the Society to the Nominations Committee, which will be supplemented by the Immediate Past President and 1-year removed Past President, and shall appoint all standing committees and any special committees at his discretion. In the event that the President elect is unable to succeed the President, the President shall continue in office for a second term, if able and willing. Otherwise, the senior member in terms of service on the Board of Governors shall be designated Chairman pro tempore and preside over the Society until a new President-elect is elected. The President remains a voting member of the Board of Governors for 2 years post term.

President Elect:

The President elect shall serve as President in Society activities in the President’s absence and complete the term of office of the President in the event that the President is unable to complete the term for which he/she was elected. The President-Elect typically assumes the responsibilities of the President in the year following his/her election.

Secretary:

The Secretary shall prepare the minutes for all Society meetings. The minutes shall be made available to the general membership by the Secretary by the next appropriate meeting. The Secretary shall deal with all Society correspondence, as directed by the President. The Secretary will maintain copies of all Society correspondence during the Secretary’s current tenure. At the close of the elected term of office, the Secretary will direct all past Society correspondence to the Society Bibliographer.

Treasurer:

The Treasurer shall be responsible for the financial accounting for the Society and shall be authorized to disburse such funds as directed by the President of the Society for normal operating expenses. The financial accounting will be kept current using accepted procedures and will be made available to any Society member upon a formal written request. The Treasurer will prepare a formal, detailed financial report of the Society, which will be presented orally and defended by the Treasurer at the Society’s Annual Board of Governors Meeting. The Treasurer will serve as the membership chair. In this capacity, the Treasurer will solicit all membership dues, notify any members who are delinquent on dues, and receive and process membership applications. The Treasurer will maintain current membership records and will act as authorized in Article VII of these By-Laws.

Bibliographer:

The Bibliographer will maintain all of the Society’s historical files in an accepted order. These files will be composed of Society correspondence received from the Society Secretary, all annual written Society committee reports and copies of all published material pertinent to the Society which appears in print (primarily in Aviation, Space, and Environmental Medicine). In the absence of the Secretary, the Bibliographer shall prepare the minutes of the annual meetings of the Society.

Board of Governors At-Large Members:

Each At-Large member shall attend and participate in the annual and any special meetings of the Society Board of Governors as directed in Article V of the AsPS By-Laws.

Committees

AsPS Standing and Ad Hoc Committees

Awards and Recognition

For a list of past winners for each award, visit each award’s page via the links below or the drop down links on the menu above.

AsPS ACHIEVEMENT AWARDS

The Aerospace Physiology Society (AsPS) presents three major achievement awards to recognize individuals who perform extraordinary work within the Aerospace Physiology Community. The nominee must be a member in good standing of both the Aerospace Medical Association (AsMA) and the Aerospace Physiology Society (AsPS). Awards will be presented at the Aerospace Medical Association’s Annual Scientific Meeting during the annual luncheon program. These awards are presented for outstanding achievement in all areas of aerospace physiology: operational support training, research, and leadership. The descriptions of each award are:

Paul Bert Award

The Paul Bert Award recognizes outstanding research contributions in aerospace physiology. This award was established in 1969 and was originally given for achievement in operational physiology. It is named in honor of the famous French physiologist, Paul Bert, the “Father of Pressure Physiology.” Nominees will be considered for research covering the previous five year period. Limit the nomination to two or three major research contributions. The Award committee considers unrecognized nominations from the past 3 years, though it is strongly recommended that those nominations be updated annually in writing. Research areas may range from basic science to research in highly applied areas of aerospace physiology. Wyle currently sponsors the Paul Bert Award. For more information and to view a list of past award winners, see the AsPS Paul Bert Award page.

Fred A. Hitchcock Award

The Fred A. Hitchcock Award recognizes career contributions of senior aerospace physiologists for excellence in either operational aerospace physiology or aerospace physiology research. The award was established in 1972 and is named in honor of Fred A. Hitchcock, Ph.D., co-translator of Paul Bert’s classic work, “Barometric Pressure.” International ATMO of San Antonio, TX, sponsors the Fred A. Hitchcock Award with an honorarium, a plaque, and an edition of Paul Bert’s classic work, “Barometric Pressure.” The Award committee considers unrecognized nominations from the past 3 years, though it is strongly recommended that nominations be updated annually in writing. For more information and to view a list of past award winners, see the AsPS Fred A. Hitchcock Award page.

Wiley Post Award

The Wiley Post Award recognizes outstanding contributions in direct operational physiology and aeromedical training and education. In 1972, the Wiley Post Award replaced the Paul Bert Award for Operational Physiology. It is named in honor of the aviation pioneer Wiley Post and is presented for exceptional service and achievement in operational physiology, including education and physiological support of Dept. of Defense, FAA, NASA, or civilian aircrew. The Gentex Corp. of Carbondale, PA, sponsors the Wiley Post Award with an honorarium and a plaque. Nominees will be considered for the previous 12-month body of work in operational physiology. Unrecognized nominations from past years will not be considered. For more information and to view a list of past award winners, see the AsPS Wiley Post Award page.

AWARD SUBMISSION CRITERIA:

Award nominations are due no later than the posted deadline of 1 February each year. Late nominations will not be considered or carried over to the next year. Send nominations to the attention of the Awards Committee Chairman
Nominations may be submitted by anyone, regardless of AsMA or AsPS membership. Members are strongly encouraged to nominate and recognize outstanding contributions by professionals peers within the society. Chain of command endorsements are not required for military nominations, but may be considered by the committee.
Nominees must be a current member “in good standing” of both AsMA as well as AsPS.
The nomination should include:

  1. A citation (reason for the nomination) of 80 words or less,
  2. A summary of significant accomplishments (include dates and relevance) of less than 300 words,
  3. A one page professional biography of the nominee, and
  4. A portrait photograph of the nominee.
  5. Nominations should specify the time interval over which the nominee’s contributions were made.
The Awards Nomination Form shall be the standard format for nominations.
Award forms may be downloaded from the AsPS website (see link below) or obtained by contacting the Award Chair via email. Digital email submission of the award package is preferred. MS-Word for documents and TIF or JPEG files for graphics are the preferred file formats. Hard copy nominations will be accepted by mail (email Awards Chair for submission address). Awards not submitted on the AsPS Awards form will not be accepted.
AWARD NOMINATION FORM (click to download one of these file options)

Print & Fill-in document (.PDF file)
Print & Fill-in document (.DOC file)
Form-Fill document (.DOC file)

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AsPS PARTNERSHIP IN EDUCATION AWARD

The Partner in Education Award is awarded to a teacher in a school district of the host city for the current year’s AsMA Annual Scientific Meeting. Nominations are solicited from the local school districts and the winner is selected by the Partnership In Education Award Committee. The winner is recognized as an individual who has brought a unique approach to teaching science in the classroom and has inspired his or her students to an interest in science.

Activities and Events

Check the AsPS News Posts page or follow us on the AsPS Facebook Page for the latest Society information.

Annual Scientific Meeting of the AsMA

The Aerospace Medical Association, our parent Association, meets each year in the spring (usually in May) for its Annual Scientific Meeting & Exhibition. It is during this meeting that the AsPS convenes to conduct important business, conduct a Training & Education Panel session, present the annual Smith W. Ames Lecture, bestow the Society’s awards, and induct new Society officers. We also take the opportunity to engage in a variety of activities to network with other AsMA members and groups. For details on the AsPS events at the upcoming meeting watch for information on the AsPS News Posts page or follow us on the AsPS Facebook Page.
For the latest details on the upcoming meeting, see the AsMA website meeting page
Future Annual Scientific Meetings
For a preview of the dates & locations of future AsMA meetings, go to

AsPS Annual Board of Governors Elections

Nominations begin in the Fall - DETAILED INFORMATION will be posted on the NEWS POSTS page beginning with a call for officer nominations
Election information and ballot instructions are subsequently posted and emailed to eligible voting members of the Society.
For information on the elected positions in the Society, see the AsPS Board of Governors page.
For more information, or to make a nomination, send your email to the attention of the Nominations Chair
AsPS Training & Education Program

Work begins in late summer and early fall on selecting a topic and soliciting participants for the AsPS sponsored panel of presenters during the AsMA Annual Scientific Meeting in May.
Abstracts are due and must be submitted through the AsMA by the October deadline in preparation for review at the AsMA’s Scientific Program Meeting each November.
For more information on the Society’s “Training Day”panel, see the AsPS Training Day page.
To participate in the planning or to be a presenter, contact the Training & Education Program Committee Chair
AsPS Annual Award Selections

The Aeospace Physiology Society presents its 3 aerospace physiology achievement awards at the Society’s luncheon meeting each May.
Nominations begin in late fall and are due by 1 February.
For information about the individual awards, nominations and selection process, see the AsPS Awards & Recognition page.
For additional information, send your inquiry to the attention of the Awards Chair

AsPS Annual Smith W. Ames Memorial Lecture & Luncheon Program

Mark your AsMA meeting agenda and be sure to purchase your ticket(s) when you register for the conference.
Historically scheduled on the Wednesday of the conference week, this is the Society’s occasion to enjoy a unique lecture opportunity, honor award winners, network with aerospace physiology colleagues and inaugurate the newly elected AsPS officers.
For additional information, please see our Smith W. Ames Memorial Lecture & Annual Luncheon Program page.
AsP Certification Exam (CAsP)

The Council of the Aerospace Medical Association (AsMA), acting upon recommendations of the Aerospace Physiology Certification Board, grants certification in aerospace physiology. Board certification in aerospace physiology was established by the AsMA to encourage the study, improve the practice, and elevate the standards of excellence in aerospace physiology. Formal Board Certification provides an avenue for professional and peer recognition in aerospace medicine, and is a worthy goal for members to attain.
The certification examination is offered at the Annual Scientific Meeting of the Aerospace Medical Association in May of each year. The exam historically is administered on the Sunday at the beginning of the meeting week.
Eligible candidates interested in taking the board certification exam should begin study and review no later than the application deadline in March. Group study is encouraged. A balanced knowledge of human physiology is essential.
For additional information, please see our Certification in Aerospace Physiology information page.
AsPS Annual Social

Mark your calendar and be sure to purchase your ticket(s) at the AsPS table during the conference.
Traditionally scheduled on Wednesday night of the conference at a local establishment
Detailed information will be posted on the NEWS POSTS page in spring as plans develop for the May conference.
For additional information, or to assist in planning this event, send your email to the attention of the Social Chai

Board Certification in Aerospace Physiology (CAsP)

The Council of the Aerospace Medical Association (AsMA), acting upon recommendations of the Aerospace Physiology Certification Board, grants certification in aerospace physiology. Board certification in aerospace physiology was established by the AsMA to encourage the study, improve the practice, and elevate the standards of excellence in aerospace physiology. Formal Board Certification provides an avenue for professional and peer recognition in aerospace medicine, and is a worthy goal for members to attain.

The certification examination is offered at the Annual Scientific Meeting of the Aerospace Medical Association in May of each year.

Board certification is for professionals with an abiding interest and demonstrated productivity in the field of aerospace physiology. Applicants must possess, as a minimum, a baccalaureate degree either in physiology or a closely related science. A history of significant contributions to aerospace physiology is also required. Applicants should have 5 years of active professional experience in an aeromedical field. The 5-hour exam contains questions covering various areas relevant to aerospace physiology, including, but not limited to, general human physiology, acceleration physiology, decompression physiology, impact, hypoxia, vibration and noise, applied operational aspects, space physiology, and spatial orientation.