Key facts
- The US Senate approved bipartisan legislation to modernize mental health guidance for pilots and air traffic controllers.
- The bill aims to encourage aviation professionals to seek mental health care by reducing stigma and the fear of losing their licenses.
- The legislation requires the FAA to update medical guidance, conduct annual reviews of mental health special issuances, and expand training for Aviation Medical Examiners.
- The bill allocates $15 million annually from fiscal years 2026 through 2029 for the FAA's Office of Aerospace Medicine to recruit and train examiners with psychiatric expertise.
- An additional $1.5 million per year is allocated for a public information campaign to reduce stigma and encourage care-seeking.
- The House passed its version of the Mental Health in Aviation Act in September.
The US Senate has passed bipartisan legislation designed to update the Federal Aviation Administration's (FAA) approach to mental health and medical certification for pilots and air traffic controllers. The bill, co-sponsored by Senators John Hoeven and Tammy Duckworth, aims to address concerns that current regulations discourage aviation professionals from seeking treatment due to fear of losing their licenses.
The legislation requires the FAA to modernize its medical guidance, conduct annual reviews of mental health-related special issuances, and expand training for Aviation Medical Examiners. It also directs the agency to consult with academic institutions, industry groups, and mental health professionals to ensure future policies align with current research and operational needs.
To bolster the FAA's Office of Aerospace Medicine, the bill allocates $15 million annually from fiscal years 2026 through 2029 for recruiting and training additional examiners, including those with psychiatric expertise. Furthermore, $1.5 million per year is designated for a public information campaign to reduce stigma and encourage pilots and controllers to seek care. The House previously passed its version of the Mental Health in Aviation Act in September.
The bill's introduction follows the sentencing of an ex-Alaska Airlines pilot who cited unaddressed mental health problems for an incident where he attempted to shut down an aircraft's engines mid-flight.