Which method is primarily used to assess pilot fitness?

The primary method used to assess pilot fitness is through medical examinations and proficiency checks. This approach is essential because it ensures that pilots meet the necessary health standards and possess the required skills to operate aircraft safely. Medical examinations evaluate a pilot's physical and mental health, identifying any conditions that may affect their ability to fly. Proficiency checks, often conducted in simulators, assess a pilot's flying skills and decision-making ability under various scenarios. Together, these measures provide a comprehensive assessment of a pilot’s overall fitness to safely perform their duties in a commercial aviation environment.

In contrast, while flight hours logged and flight experience reviews provide insights into a pilot’s experience level, they do not measure current health or skill proficiency directly. Simulator training sessions focus more on skill enhancement rather than assessing ongoing fitness, making them less relevant for determining a pilot's readiness to fly.