President’s Corner 4th Quarter Issue 2024
Gratitude
The 19th-century Swiss philosopher, Henri Frederick Amiel, is quoted as saying:
“Thankfulness is the beginning of Gratitude.
Gratitude is the completion of Thankfulness.
Thankfulness may consist of merely words.
Gratitude is shown in Acts.”
Dr. Paul Conti, a Stanford and Harvard University-trained psychiatrist, states that the keys to happiness and mental wellness are AGENCY and GRATITUDE. As I thought about this simple statement, it became more profound, especially if I added PURPOSE.
We have much to be grateful for in aviation. We also have great recent demonstrations of agency and purpose in the world of aviation safety and wellness.
First, we recognize the recent and ongoing efforts of the FAA to streamline the medical certification process and remove barriers for pilots and ATC’s in seeking healthcare. Following the NTSB’s Summit on Navigating Mental Health in Aviation, the FAA Aviation Rulemaking Committee on Mental Health and Aviation Medical Clearances met and quickly produced a report with 24 Recommendations. Many of those recommendations are being acted on and a few are considered closed. The 2024 FAA Reauthorization Act section 411 created an Aeromedical Innovation and Modernization Working Group with a Mental Health Working Group to be formed from the larger group in 2025. I am fortunate enough to be a member of this collection of experts, which Congress has given 2 years to develop ideas to improve the FAA aeromedical processes and safety. These projects have AGENCY and PURPOSE and many in the aviation world have GRATITUDE that their concerns are being addressed.
As part of the FAA’s follow-up to the ARC, aviators and AME’s alike can be grateful that many certification decisions previously reserved for the FAA to make have been delegated to AMEs. This allows pilots to consult the Guide to AMEs, know exactly what information the FAA requires to be providing to the AMEs, and bring it to an exam with the expectation to be issued a new medical. The pilot’s relationship with the AME can move to one of cooperation for a positive outcome.
AMEs can also be grateful for the regular and open communication by the entire FAA aeromedical leadership team monthly through the AME Grand Rounds program. Not only can AMEs gain CME credit for attending these monthly calls, but they can ask questions and have direct answers to evolving FAA policy changes published that month in the Guide to AMEs. Over 700 people attended December’s AME Grand Rounds.
International efforts around pilot and controller health are emerging in many areas. Peer Support Programs (PSP) have been created in Asian, European, African and South American countries. These PSPs include not only pilots, but also controllers, flight attendants and maintenance workers. The efforts of the International Peer Aviation Assist Coalition to bring these diverse aviation professional groups together to share best practices and mutual support was highlighted in a three-day conference in Osaka, Japan in November. Many of the attendees shared their GRATITUDE with our Japanese hosts, but also the organizers and other participants who unselfishly shared their expertise. Each left with a sense of AGENCY and PURPOSE in setting up and enhancing programs to better support their colleagues for safety.
Safety organizations have also produced guidance on mental health in aviation in the last two months. The Royal Aeronautical Society published its Consensus Paper on “Driving Progress on Mental Health and Psychosocial Safety in Global Aviation.” The Flight Safety Foundation published its white paper, “Path to Wellness: Charting a New Course for Mental Health in Aviation” and the Aerospace Medical Association journal, Aerospace Medicine and Human Performance, published the Mental Health Working Group paper, “Aerospace Medical Association Proposed Research Priorities for Mental Health and Safety in Aviation.” We are working on several other publications, primarily because we have AGENCY, GRATITUDE and PURPOSE in the effort to improve aviation safety and wellness for all of our professionals.
We can be grateful to those aviation professionals who are safely flying us over the holiday season, giving up time to be with their families and loved ones so we can be with ours. Pilots, flight attendants, controllers, gate agents, maintenance personnel, dispatchers and airport service personnel work around the clock to allow us to enjoy the meaningful times in life. If you are feeling distressed during these times, reach out for help as many volunteers and professionals are trained and willing to support you in your time of need.
In closing, my Christmas wish, and New Year’s resolution is to recognize the AGENCY we must improve others’ lives, the GRATITUDE to those who support us and give the opportunities to do so and the PURPOSE to carry out our efforts to help others.
Fly Safely, Be Well,
Quay