UPDATED MENTAL HEALTH EVALUATION CRITERIA UNDER FEDERAL AVIATION ADMINISTRATION
July 18, 2024
The FAA has updated its guidelines regarding agency participation in mental health evaluations, providing Aviation Medical Examiners (“AMEs”) with more discretion when determining a pilot’s fitness to fly. Specifically, after the AMEs issue a questionnaire to pilots facing “uncomplicated anxiety, depression and related conditions,” the FAA will not get involved in the process if the following criteria are met:
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The pilot has not been prescribed medication for two years,
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The questionnaire raises no concerns, and
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The AME has no concerns.
Notwithstanding, if any item of the questionnaire that addresses suicidal thoughts and self-harm ideations is selected as “YES,” then the FAA requires further evaluation, and the AME must defer to the FAA. Absent a concerning questionnaire, this update could enable pilots who were grounded due to minor medical issues to obtain their medical certificates with no objection from the FAA.
If you have any questions, please contact Evelyn Sahr at 202.659.6622 or esahr@eckertseamans.com; Drew Derco at 202-659-6665 or dderco@eckertseamans.com; Jay Julien at 202.659.6648 or jjulien@eckertseamans.com, or any other attorney at Eckert Seamans with whom you have been working.
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