The FAA Got Feedback on Pilot Mental Health. Now What?
Photo Credit: Pilot mental health was at the center of a recent committee. Unsplash / Caleb Woods
Skift Take
April’s recommendations to the FAA on mental health address many of pilots’ concerns. How the FAA sees them through is another story.
If a pilot is grounded for mental health reasons, how long should it take for them to get medical approval? Do pilots need to tell the FAA every time they go to therapy? Should pilots on ADHD medication be able to fly?
The FAA established a committee to tackle these questions and review its mental health policies in December. Last month, the committee — composed of medical experts, advocacy groups, and other voices in aviation — published its recommendations. Now, the FAA is reviewing them.
“We’re trying to break down barriers and develop pathways where pilots want to come forward with some of their issues and break down those stigmas,” said Jim Coon, a committee member and the senior VP of government affairs at the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association.
The recent push for reform comes after an Alaska Airlines pilot almost brought down a plane last fall. But this isn’t a standalone incident in aviation history. The Germanwings crash and t
