NTSB Chair on FAA Mental Health Policy: ‘It’s Like Back to the 1950s’

Homendy calls for overhaul of certification process, saying the current system creates a stigma for pilots.

Ryan Ewing

Friday, July 25, 2025 at 10:00 AM ET

Verified

Edited By:

Travis Tingle

NTSB Chair Jennifer Homendy joins Oshkosh Live.[FLYING/Kaylee Nix]

Key Takeaways:

NTSB Chair Jennifer Homendy is calling for a "complete overhaul" of the FAA's outdated pilot mental health policies, stating the current system deters pilots from seeking care.
Homendy emphasizes that mental health is healthcare and criticizes the FAA's medical certification process for creating stigma that could lead pilots to conceal issues.
While the NTSB supports recommendations from a 2023 FAA mental health committee, Homendy criticizes the FAA's slow progress and believes congressional intervention is necessary for meaningful reform.
She also highlights the lack of mental health support for general aviation pilots and urges the U.S. to lead in modernizing aviation mental health standards.

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National Transportation Safety Board Chair Jennifer Homendy is urging sweeping reforms to the FAA’s approach to pilot mental health, saying the current system is outdated and deters pilots from seeking care.

Speaking during a live interview at EAA AirVenture on FLYING’s Oshkosh Live show, Homendy said the agency’s medical certification process needs a “complete overhaul,” particularly in how it handles mental health issues.