AME Profile: Dr. Petra Illig

Flight Physical Doctor – Featured AMEs

As previously discussed, the main goal of Pilot Doctors is to help you find an AME.  When you search the internet for “FAA physical near me” or “find an AME near me,” you want to get the best AME for you. Some doctors may no longer be practicing; some aren’t “near” you. On the other hand, others may not be the right fit for your individual needs. Finding an AME and conducting an FAA physical can be stressful, so we created the most up-to-date premier Aviation Medical Examiners directory.

One of our goals is to develop relationships with AMEs nationwide to provide recommendations for your FAA physical. In today’s article, we want to introduce you to one of our featured AMEs.

Petra Illig MD, Senior AME, HIMS AME

Flight physical doctor Dr. Petra Illig has extensive aviation medicine experience working with Delta, the FAA, and SpaceX. She has been a private pilot since 1981 and flies a home-built tailwheel Christavia Mk 1.

Dr. Illig’s Background

Dr. Illig graduated from the University of Washington School of Medicine in 1981 and initially trained in Emergency Medicine, spending 15 years in that specialty. She first became a FAA Aviation Medical Examiner (AME) in 1984. In 1998 Dr. Illig was a Regional Medical Director for Delta Airlines and helped shape commercial aviation medical policies. Since 2001, Dr. Illig has been exclusive to aviation medicine with her practice in Anchorage, AK. She is a Fellow of the Aerospace Medicine Association and the Civil Aviation Medicine Association. 

AME Practice

Aviation Medical Services is a multi-physician aviation-focused practice owned and operated by Dr. Illig in Anchorage, AK. Dr. Illig and her associates, Dr. David Hemry and Dr. Raymond Legenza, makes one of the largest aviation medicine practices in Alaska. 

Senior AME, HIMS AME

With all three physicians in practice benign Senior AMEs and Dr. Illig herself being a HIMS AME, they can handle virtually any case a pilot may have. Having interacted with Dr. Illig at length, her practice is one that Wingman Med recommends as we are confident they know how to handle complicated cases. 

Personal Information

Dr. Illig enjoys flying her airplane and speaking for local aviation groups. She also has a class B camper van for terrestrial-based exploration.