NATA Statement on FAA’s Mental Health and Aviation Medical Clearances Rulemaking Committee Recommendations

NATA (National Air Transportation Association) issued the following statement on the Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) release of the Mental Health and Aviation Medical Clearances Rulemaking Committee’s recommendations.

The committee, comprised of representatives from industry trade associations, pilot and air traffic controller organizations, academia, and medical professionals, focused on priorities and pathways for addressing barriers that discourage pilots and air traffic controllers from reporting and seeking care for mental health issues. NATA’s Education Success Manager Suz Viljoen represented the Association and its members on the rulemaking committee.

“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. As we continue to analyze the data and educate our members, we look forward to enhancing the environment for our workforce by removing barriers and improving trust to keep our skies safe,” said Suz Viljoen, NATA’s Education Success Manager and Mental Health and Aviation Medical Clearances Rulemaking Committee Representative.

“This is just the beginning of a critical conversation, but a meaningful and welcomed start. 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,” added NATA President and CEO Curt Castagna. “We greatly appreciate Suz’s time and industry expertise in ensuring our members’ perspective was considered in the drafting of these recommendations.”

The FAA will review the recommendations to determine the next steps in mitigating potential risks and enhancing overall safety.