President’s Corner 4th Quarter Issue 2025
Working Together to Advance Aviation Safety & Well Being
The past quarter presented significant challenges to the aviation industry. The government shutdown caused travel uncertainty and flight disruptions for passengers, forced safety and security personnel to work without pay and cost the airlines substantial losses among other widespread negative effects on many of our citizens. The safety of our national airspace was called into question.
Despite the challenges, there were numerous aviation professionals whose efforts to provide continued outstanding services kept our national airspace safe and running efficiently. I want to highlight groups that our organization interacts with for their professionalism during this time.
Pilots and cabin crews flew safely, often with disrupted schedules, frustrated passengers and congested airport operations. The airline pilot unions supported their unpaid brothers and sisters in air traffic control facilities by delivering meals to air traffic control while educating Congress as to the negative safety impact of forcing ATC professionals to work extended hours without pay and uncertainty as to how and when this would be resolved. The mental health peer support programs were there to help their fellow pilots and flight attendants in times of increased stress. The FAA reduced flight operations to manage workload for ATC. Safe operations continued despite these challenges.
The FAA’s Office of Aerospace Medicine continued to function well to keep pilot certificates and ATC medical clearances current. Dr. Susan Northrup, the Federal Air Surgeon, fought hard to keep her office’s professionals as completely staffed as possible. There was even a reduction in the processing times for cases requiring review at the Aeromedical Certification Division and FAA Headquarters during this period due to process improvements. Her commitment to minimize any delays in certification decisions continues to show a steady trend in reaching these goals. Additionally, medical policy changes, updates to the Guide to Aviation Medical Examiners and routine communication with pilots and AMEs have also led to significant improvements. The FAA’s education efforts along with its industry partners to “Preflight Your Medical Application” resulted in a significant reduction in deferred medical applications by AMEs.
What does the new year hold for this process? I am encouraged by the work of the FAA Reauthorization Act Section 411 and 413 Task Groups. The pilot and aerospace medicine professionals are meeting regularly to recommend changes to FAA physical and mental health policies and processes to improve transparency, make safety-focused, operational-based certification policy updates and aid in implementing the recommendations of the 2024 Aviation Rulemaking Committee on Mental Health and Aviation Medical Clearances. Reports to Congress are made on a regular basis. Recent updates from the 411/413 Task Group leads show significant and substantial visions for improvement in over 20 different policy areas.
The Mental Health in Aviation Act is before Congress with bipartisan support which would result in increased funding for the FAA’s medical certification initiative. The Pilot Mental Health Coalition is leading this effort with support from airline pilot unions. The HIMS program supporting pilots with substance use disorders has substantially revised AME training with competency-based testing and education. Many other countries are adopting HIMS-like programs and looking to the US for leadership. Likewise, Peer Support Programs for all aviation professions, both above and below the wing, are developing globally, again based on the programs developed in the US and several other countries. These global efforts for aviation professionals both above and below the wing are led by the International Peer Assist Aviation Coalition which had its largest 4-day meeting in Montreal with over 200 participants from all aviation disciplines. Future integration with Safety Management Systems is being pursued by the MITRE Aviation Safety Coalition as well as IPAAC and other groups. The Safe Haven Project in Australia and New Zealand is led by their regulators. ICAO is supporting the integration of wellness education into safety programs.
The net effect of these efforts will be improved health and welfare for all aviation professionals and enthusiasts and improved safety in our National Airspace and around the world. I am looking forward to a safer, healthier and happier 2026 for all involved in aviation.
Have a safe and fulfilling holiday season and a wonderful New Year.
Quay
N321QS