Dr. Audie W. Davis

Former medical certification manager advanced FAA policies
 

Dr. Audie W. Davis, former manager of the FAA Aerospace Medical Certification Division, died Oct. 25 at the age of 80. 

Davis was the manager of the Medical Certification Division in Oklahoma City for 36 years and was instrumental in advancing the FAA's airman medical certification policies and procedures. He was recognized internationally as an aerospace medicine authority on civil aviation medical certification, and provided his expertise to aviation regulatory bodies in many countries.

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Born in Camden, Ala., Davis graduated Phi Beta Kappa from the University of Alabama where he earned both his bachelor’s and medical degrees. He also received a second degree from the Harvard School of Public Health in Cambridge, Mass. He served in the U.S. Air Force, and achieved the rank of colonel.

Davis was a key player in the development during the early 1970s of the Human Intervention and Motivation Study (HIMS), a cooperative effort between the FAA and the Air Line Pilots Association that provided for rehabilitation and return to duty of airline pilots suffering from alcohol abuse and dependence. This highly successful program continues today and has resulted in more than 4,500 pilots being requalified for flight duties after diagnosis and treatment for alcohol abuse or dependence.

He was a member of AOPA, a longtime member of the Aerospace Medical Association, and served for many years on the AOPA Board of Aviation Medical Advisors. He was a frequent lecturer at FAA aviation medical examiner seminars and the National Aircraft Accident Investigation Schools; and received many honors during his career, including the John A. Tamisea Award for contributions "to the advancement of the art and science of aviation medicine in its application to general aviation," and the Booth-Edward Award for "outstanding research and/or clinical practice directed at the promotion of health and prevention of disease in professional airline pilots," both given by the Aerospace Medical Association. Davis was credited with numerous published papers on a wide variety of medical subjects.
Following his retirement from the FAA, Davis served as the medical director for Harvey Watt, a provider of pilot disability insurance.
 

NORMAN — Services for Audie White Davis, M.D., 80, of Norman, will be 10 a.m. Saturday at the Primrose Chapel, with Dr. Lavonn Brown and Dr. Wade Smith officiating. Dr. Davis died Tuesday, Oct. 25, 2011, in Norman.
He was born Jan. 28, 1931, to Audie White and Ina Pearl (Waren) Davis in Camden, Ala. He graduated Phi Beta Kappa from the University of Alabama, earning his medical degree. He then received a second degree from the Harvard School of Public Health in Cambridge, Mass. He retired after 36 years as chief of the aeromedical certification division of the FAA. Under his tenure at the FAA, his signature had to be on every pilot’s medical certification for their pilot’s license in the U.S.A. Dr. Davis was a colonel in the United States Air Force. He was a member of the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association, the Aerospace Medical Association and the Board of Directors of the Referral Center and Norman Alcohol Information Center. He was a member of the First Baptist Church in Norman. He also worked with NASA astronauts and the monkey, Ham, who flew into space with them.
Dr. Davis had a beautiful singing voice and sang may solos in his hometown church, Enon Baptist Church, in Alabama. He also sang and performed for many years in Norman’s Red Stocking Follies. Dr. Davis was an avid tennis player and played many times with movie and TV actor Robert Cummings. He was also a great bowler, an accomplished cook and he loved gardening. Dr. Davis was one of the lucky ones in that he knew as a small boy he wanted to be a doctor. He enjoyed traveling the world. He adored and cherished his entire family and was a doting grandfather over his grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents, his sister, Sara Davis Harvey, and her husband Cap Harvey.
Dr. Davis is survived by his wife Bernice of the home; a daughter, Cheri Lynne Johnson and her husband Tommy of Norman, a daughter, Kristi Lynn Davis of Peoria, Ill.; a son, Bryson White Davis of Norman; his brother, Pete Davis and his wife Theus of Demopolis, Ala.; his sister, Linda Coker and her husband Stan of Evergreen, Ala.; six grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren.
Burial will be at Sunset Memorial Park, under the direction of Primrose Funeral Service. Visitation will be from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Friday.
Visit primrosefuneralservice.com.

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