Business aviation groups embraced a series of recommendations released last week by the Mental Health & Aviation Medical Clearances Aviation Rulemaking Committee (ARC), calling them a good step forward in tackling the barriers for pilots and other aviation professionals in need of help.
The ARC on April 1 released two dozen recommendations on the issue, just four months after the panel was established. “If fully implemented, these recommendations would help ensure those in the aviation community seek out appropriate resources and treatment to address mental health concerns,” said Mark Larsen, NBAA’s director for safety and flight operations and an ARC member.
NBAA pointed to the recommendation of identifying factors that discourage disclosure of mental health concerns as one of the key items highlighted by the ARC. Culture, trust, fear, stigma, knowledge, and financial issues “often stand in the way of pilots and controllers seeking mental health help,” Larsen added, saying that the recommendations show “a deep understanding and broad desire from the aviation community to reduce the barriers that keep pilots, air traffic controllers, and others from seeking mental health care.”
Also on the ARC was Suz Viljoen, education success manager for the National Air Transportation Association. “NATA appreciates this collaborative effort to unite the aviation industry across all segments to address this vital issue. Many industry leaders’ voices and views were heard from across the globe in developing this comprehensive set of recommendations,” Viljoen said.
The committee included representatives from industry trade associations, pilot and air traffic controller organizations, academia, and medical professionals.
“This is just the beginning of a critical conversation, but a meaningful and welcomed start,” said NATA president and CEO Curt Castagna. “NATA will continue the collaborative dialogue and work with the FAA and our industry partners to modernize the approach to mental health in the aviation industry and make the necessary culture shift to encourage aviation professionals to seek the help they need.”