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1 day ago · Newly updated guidance to AMEs now allows the examiner more latitude to determine the flight fitness of pilots who report “uncomplicated anxiety, depression, and related conditions.”. The agency said doctors may issue medical certificates to pilots with histories of up to two mental health diagnoses without FAA review under certain ...
- FAA easing mental health barriers for pilots - AOPA
Federal Air Surgeon Dr. Susan Northrup wants to get pilots...
- FAA publishes mental health recommendations - AOPA
The FAA formed a Mental Health and Aviation Medical...
- FAA easing mental health barriers for pilots - AOPA
- Pilot Medical Certifications and How Mental Health Is Assessed
- Additional FAA Oversight
- How The FAA Is Reducing The Stigma of Mental Health, Helping Pilots Receive Care
- Additional Background
The FAA’s regulationsrequire airline pilots to undergo a medical exam with an Aviation Medical Examiner (AME) every six months to five years, depending on the type of flying they do and their age.Aviation Medical Examiners are trained to determine the pilot’s mental health and fitness to fly.Based on the answers on the form and the examination, an AME may ask further questions about mental health conditions or symptoms.The AME can request additional psychological testing, or defer the application to the Office of Aerospace Medicine if he or she is concerned that further evaluation is necessary. Commercial airline...If the FAA receives information from another source that a pilot may have a mental health condition, the Office of Aerospace Medicine can direct the pilot to provide specific documentation and/or a...If a pilot experiences an incident that appears medically related, the FAA will request additional medical information.In 2016, the Pilot Fitness Aviation Rulemaking Committee (ARC) provided several recommendations to the FAA about pilot medical fitness. The ARC was established to evaluate pilot mental health, afte...The FAA encourages pilots to seek help if they have a mental health condition since most, if treated, do not disqualify a pilot from flying.During the last several years, the FAA has invested a number of resources to eliminate the stigma around mental health in the aviation community so pilots seek treatment. This includes:The FAA developed a plan to support individuals on special issuance for substance dependence. The plan allows the agency to provide long-term support for pilots in recovery.Listen to a recent FAA podcast about pilot mental health featuring Dr. Northrup, the FAA's Federal Air Surgeon here.View the FAA fact sheet on pilot mental health oversight here.Dec 6, 2023 · At a summit on mental health in aviation, pilots and safety experts urged regulators to reform rules that discourage people from seeking treatment because they're afraid of losing clearance to...
Dec 15, 2023 · A recent incident in which an off-duty Alaska Airlines pilot tried to take down a plane has pushed federal officials to address the flaws in their mental health system.
Dec 5, 2023 · The ARC will provide recommendations on ways to identify and break down any remaining barriers that discourage pilots and controllers from reporting and seeking care for mental health issues.
