A Structured Program for Pilots and Traffic Controllers with Mental Issues.

Abstract

Verbatim from Embry-Riddle Scholarly Commons. Not paraphrased, not summarized.

A Structured Program for Pilots and Traffic Controllers with Mental Issues. by Ian Blair Fries, M.D. Senior HIMS AME, MRO, SAP. Many pilots and controllers are avoiding appropriate mental care that would have to be reported to the FAA, or omitting required notification of mental care they have received. Either option is detrimental to air safety and personal health. I propose a structured aviation program to handle mental issues similar to the HIMS Program for pilots with alcohol and/or drug abuse and dependence. The HIMS Program is extremely successful with about 85 percent of pilots who participate recovering and returning to the cockpit. That is the carrot that encourages pilots to comply with HIMS requirements. The same should apply to mental diagnoses. A parallel program I title Aviation Mental Health (AMH) begins with trained AME’s. HIMS AME’s are already expected to handle pilot requiring antidepressant medications, and to help pilots navigate certification if they have a mental condition. Their role should be expanded. Parallels to Alcoholics Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous, group meetings, sponsors, airline and regional ATC committees, and random testing need to be constructed. These will be detailed. Pilots and air traffic controls with mental conditions need support not currently available.

Author

• Fries, Ian Blair, M.D. Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University

Keywords

• mental health
• HIMS Program
• HIMS AME
• sponsors
• AA and NA.
• Aviation Mental Health
• Mental and Social Health
• Psychiatric and Mental Health