FAA would review mental health rules for aviation workers

The FAA would update rules and guidance to encourage aviation workers to seek help for mental health concerns and disclose them. This applies to people carrying out aviation activities who have mental health conditions or symptoms. The FAA would act within 18 months after enactment.

The FAA would review mental health medical clearance rules and consider updates, while implementing the aviation medical committee's recommendations as appropriate. The reviews cover mental health special clearances for pilots and air traffic controllers. The committee recommendations were submitted on April 1, 2024. The FAA may expand when medical examiners can issue certificates only if it considers that appropriate; those examiners must complete enhanced mental health training. The FAA must explain to Congress within 90 days if it decides not to implement a committee recommendation. Reviews would begin 180 days after the first required report, occur annually for two years, and then every three years. The FAA would implement committee recommendations within two years after enactment.

The FAA would have authority to use up to $15 million per year for specified aviation medical staffing, training, oversight, and review work. The funding is for the FAA's Office of Aerospace Medicine and related medical examiner work. The money may support hiring and training medical examiners, including psychiatrists; reviewing examiners; clearing pending special issuance requests; and related activities the FAA considers appropriate. The funding authority covers fiscal years 2026 through 2028.

The FAA would run a public information campaign or similar education effort about mental health in aviation. The campaign would address people in or interested in aviation, including pilots and air traffic controllers. The FAA would post information online and at medical examiner offices, and work with airlines, flight training organizations, and major airports to make it accessible. The FAA would brief Congress within 90 days after establishing the campaign and report on outreach within two years after implementing it. The campaign would run during fiscal years 2026 through 2028.