The Institute of Aerospace Medicine (IAM) is a premier Institute of the IAF with a glorious past, a very promising future and is at present the hub of aerospace medicine activities in the country The Institute of Aerospace Medicine was established as a centre for aeromedical activities related to military and civil aviation in the late 50's. Aeromedical evaluation and indoctrination of military and civilian doctors, aircraft design, promotion of flight safety, human factor analysis of aircraft accidents and aeromedical research form the major activities of this premier institute.
 
Flashback     

The need for a fullfledged Institute for imparting training in Aviation Medicine was fully realised with the advent of the jet age. This led to setting up of School of Aviation Medicine at Bangalore on 29th May, 1957. By the pioneering efforts of dedicated aeromedical experts, the activities of the School increased which was redesignated as the Institute of Aviation Medicine (IAM) in 1968.

The Institute provided medical support to the Indo-Soviet Manned Space Flight programme from 1982. With its increased involvement in Space Medicine, the institute was redesignated as Institute of Aerospace Medicine (IAM) in 1989. Today, the Institute is the nodal agency in India for providing the best solutions in the fields of Aerospace Medicine. Recongnised by the US and Russian Space Agencies, IAM has become the premier aeromedical centre in this part of the world. The Institute has a dedicated and qualified faculty that is involved in high quality education in aerospace medicine to aircrew and medical officers

Role of IAM  

The changing needs of modern aerospace applications have fueled a tremendous increase in the aero-medical activities of IAM. Some of the key areas of expertise are:

(a)   Training

(b)   Aeromedical Evaluation

(c)    Aeromedical Research

Milestones

1968    Redesignated as Institute of Aviation Medicine.

1968    Affiliated to the Bangalore University for post graduate Diploma in Aviation Medicine (discontinued since 1984).

1978    Post graduate Degree, MD (Aviation Medicine) recognised by the Bangalore University.

1980    Recognised by National Board of Examination for Training and Examination for the Diplomats of National Board Examination.

1982    Selection of candidates for joint Indo-Soviet Manned space flight.

1984    Participated in the Joint Indo Soviet Manned Space Flight with Indian Cosmonaut as member of the team. Medical monitoring of the cosmonaut and medical experiments on board.

1985    Recognition by NASA for selection of Astronauts/pay load specialists.

1986    Joint cooperation in the field of Aerospace Medicine with Soviet Union under the aegis of ICMR.

1989    Re-designated as the Institute of Aerospace Medicine.

1997    Institute affiliated to Rajiv Gandhi University of Health Sciences, Bangalore.

2005   Institution conferred with Presidential Colours by honorable President of India. 

2006   Hosted International Congress of Aviation & Space Medicine in Sep 2006 at Bengaluru. 

2009   State-of-the-Art High performance Human Centrifuge inaugurated by Chief of the Air Staff. 

Former Commandants