FAA Committee: Pilots Shouldn’t Have to Report ‘Talk Therapy’ Sessions

The Aviation Medical Clearances Rulemaking Committee is recommending the agency eliminate the fear pilots have of losing their tickets due to actually trying to fix a medical problem.

Russ Niles

Wednesday, April 03, 2024 at 10:59 AM ET

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The FAA said it is reviewing the Aviation Medical Clearances Rulemaking Committee's recommendations that are aimed at breaking down barriers that prevent pilots and air traffic controllers from reporting mental health issues. [Credit: Shutterstock]

Key Takeaways:

An FAA expert committee recommends that pilots be allowed to receive "talk therapy" from mental health professionals without having to disclose it on their flight medicals.
This recommendation aims to remove the fear pilots have of losing their licenses by seeking mental health support for common issues like depression or anxiety.
The committee asserts that seeking non-pharmacological mental health help does not make a pilot unsafe, advocating for "non-punitive pathways" for pilots with mental health struggles.
The FAA has received the committee's 69-page report, which includes 24 recommendations, and is currently reviewing its contents to determine next steps.

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An expert committee struck by the FAA on pilot mental health is recommending that pilots be allowed to get “talk therapy” from mental health professionals without having to disclose it in their flight medical.

The Aviation Medical Clearances Rulemaking Committee has submitted its 69-page report to the agency and its first recommendation (of 24) is aimed at eliminating the fear pilots have of losing their tickets due to actually trying to fix a medical problem.