Many commercial airline pilots choose to hide their mental health problems rather than risk their careers by disclosing them. This can lead to safety risks, as pilots who need help may continue flying while those who have sought help face a lengthy and expensive process to regain their medical fitness. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is aware of the flaws in the current system and has begun implementing changes to address them. The recent incident involving an off-duty Alaska Airlines pilot attempting to take down a plane has highlighted the need for improvements. The FAA is committed to prioritizing the mental health of pilots and has taken steps to foster greater openness in the aviation community. However, the system is still considered broken by many pilots, who feel that the industry does not want the stigma of pilots with mental health issues still flying. Pilots face unique pressures, such as spending extended periods away from home and the requirement to undergo regular medical evaluations. The culture of silence and shame surrounding mental health in the industry needs to change in order to address the risk of accidents caused by pilots with untreated mental illnesses. The FAA’s current process for clearance involves multiple steps and can take months or even years to complete. Pilots must provide extensive medical documentation and undergo evaluations and treatments, all of which can be
https://www.washingtonpost.com/travel/2023/12/15/pilots-mental-health-faa-certification/