Resources & Articles
In an effort to promote pilot mental fitness and psychological well-being we have a number of articles that may be of assistance to you or someone you know in need.
Aerospace Medical Association
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Extend awareness to aircrew, civil and military organizations
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Create understanding
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What are the contributing factors
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Prevent
In December, 2016, as part of its action plan following the Germanwings 9525 accident, the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) mandated that all pilots working for European airlines will have access to a support programme. “2016 Proposal”
Then in July, 2018, EASA further specified what these support programmes should offer.
After the Germanwings 9525 disaster in March, 2015, the Pilot Fitness Aviation Rulemaking Committee (ARC) was chartered by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to consider specific objectives and tasks in a forum for the U.S. aviation community to discuss and provide recommendations to the FAA on pilot mental fitness for duty. One of the eight recommendations made by this committee was that air carriers should implement Pilot Assistance Programs.
“Masculinity and Barriers to Seeking Counseling: The Buffering Role of Self-Compassion.” One barrier to pilots seeking the assistance of a mental health professional is the perceived threat to their medical clearance. This article explores another barrier that exists specifically among males. This is relevant to the professional pilot population since most aviators are men.
Resilience is about focus and intention in the face of adversity. Often it is the reclaiming of self from identity theft. Always it is about self definition, excellence, and purpose.
“Airplane pilot mental health and suicidal thoughts: a cross-sectional descriptive study via anonymous web-based survey.” This is the first study to describe airline pilot mental health outside of the information derived from aircraft accident investigations, regulated health examinations, or identifiable self-reports.