Market Intelligence: -Flight School

US Based National Flight Training Alliance Salutes Work of FAA’s ARC Committee; Welcomes New Approach to Handling Mental Health Issues in the Aviation Industry

The Washington, D.C., United States based National Flight Training Alliance (NFTA), an organization working to unify, promote and protect America’s flight training industry, is honored to have served since December 2023 on the FAA’s Aviation Rulemaking Committee on Pilot Mental Health Rulemaking Committee (ARC), formed to break down barriers that prevent pilots from reporting mental health issues to the agency, and fully supports the ARC report recommendations provided to the FAA and announced by the agency on April 1, 2024.

As noted in the report, which can be viewed here, the summary of the ARC recommendations are to:

  • Create a non-punitive pathway for disclosing mental health conditions and treatments;
  • Revise and evaluate the requirements for reporting and certification/qualification of psychotherapy (talk therapy), depression/anxiety; attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, and post-traumatic stress disorder;
  • Ensure that aeromedical screening protocols and requirements are based on Safety Management System principles (i.e., proportionate, relevant, and risk-based), and appropriately communicated to applicants;
  • Expand the use and promotion of Peer Support Programs;
  • Develop mental health literacy, education, and awareness campaigns;
  • Increase mental health training and improve quality assurance for Aviation Medical Examiners (AMEs);
  • Modernize the FAA’s information management system/Aviation Medical Certification Subsystem.

“The flight training industry is the gateway to the aviation industry, and the first place where a culture change can truly take place among the future generation of aspiring pilots and air traffic controllers,” Captain Lee Collins, CEO of NFTA and an ARC committee member, said. “For far too long, earlier generations of pilots were fearful of reporting any kind of physical or mental health challenge for fear of job loss and related stigma. With these recommended changes, a culture shift supporting overall physical and mental health is a realistic and attainable goal. NFTA and our member organizations possess the collective knowledge, information and educational opportunities to impart positive change within the aviation community at the training level and are committed to doing so in cooperation with other aviation stakeholders and the FAA.”

Collins said that NFTA will continue to monitor the status of these recommendations as the FAA reviews for next steps.

About National Flight Training Alliance

Working to unify, promote and protect America’s flight training industry, the National Flight Training Alliance (NFTA) is comprised of American flight training providers and industry-wide aviation stakeholders committed to producing the finest professional pilots in the world. We represent the future of aviation, meeting the strong demand for pilots by embracing new technologies and methodologies and using our collective membership voice to form policy positions that directly and positively impact industry governance.

Source: National Flight Training Alliance
Photo Credit: National Flight Training Alliance

Related Posts

Major US Airline’s Cadet Pilot Program in Partnership with Hillsboro Aero Academy Opens April 2024 Application Window

Alaska Airlines’ Ascend Pilot Academy application period will be open from April 1st – April 7th, 2024. Ascend Pilot Academy, in partnership with Hillsboro Aero Academy, aims to provide aspiring pilots a simpler, more financially accessible path to becoming a student pilot. Enrolled cadets will be eligible for access to financial aid, and a stipend up to $27,000 upon signing on to work for Horizon Air and eventually Alaska Airlines.

Academy Application Requirements:

  • Valid driver’s license
  • Hold a First Class Medical (required at time of application)
  • Ability to work a variety of schedules to include nights, weekends, and holidays.
  • Ability to communicate in English
  • High school diploma or equivalent
  • Minimum age of 18
  • Authorization to work in the U.S.
  • Hold a valid passport allowing unrestricted travel to and from the US

Source: Hillsboro Aero Academy
Photo Credit: Hillsboro Aero Academy

Related Posts

US University Southern Illinois University Carbondale to Support Flight Training Activities for People with Physical Disabilities

The Southern Illinois University Carbondale School of Aviation recently entered into a partnership with Able Flight, an aviation nonprofit for people with physical disabilities to receive intensive flight training from SIU Aviation instructors starting in late May 2024. The agreement continues the university’s longstanding commitment to providing accessibility for people with disabilities.

Reporters, photographers and news crews met with SIU officials and Charles Stites, the executive director of Able Flight, on Friday, March 29, at the Glenn Poshard Transportation Education Center at the Southern Illinois Airport to discuss the unique program that makes it possible for people with physical disabilities to become licensed pilots.

The five student pilots who have received Able Flight Scholarships to learn to fly at SIU will train in the new specially adapted Vashon Ranger Light Sport Aircraft, which arrived on March 28, with formal training on the aircraft for SIU aviation faculty, which began on the following day. The special controls to be used on the planes will be installed in late April before the students arrive in May.

Among SIU officials present were Robert D. Morgan, dean, College of Health and Human Sciences; Matthew Giblin, interim director, School of Aviation, and Steven Goetz, chief flight instructor and associate professor in the SIU Aviation program. Stites founded the incorporated nonprofit Able Flight in 2006.

Source: Southern Illinois University Carbondale
Photo Credit: Southern Illinois University Carbondale

Related Posts

Greek Pilot Training Organisation Egnatia Aviation Signs MoU with Dubai University

United Arab Emirates based Amity University Dubai has recently announced that it has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Egnatia Aviation, one of Greece’s largest flight training organisations headquartered in Kavala.

“Cooperation related to Student training and learning on Aviation technologies, Onsite student internship opportunities, Student industry visits –Flight test experience, Airport operations and planning, Teaching Faculty Exchange on Aerospace Engineering” shared Dr. Sathish Kannan, Dean of Engineering.

The signing was attended by Egnatia’s CEO and Chief Commercial Officer, Mr. George Zografakis and Mr. George Triantafyllidis, along with representatives from Amity University: Dr. Vajahat Hussain, CEO, Prof. Fazal Malik, Pro Vice Chancellor, and Dr. Efstratios, Associate Professor in Aerospace Engineering.

Source: Dr. Sathish Kannan (Amity University Dubai)
Photo Credit: Dr. Sathish Kannan

Related Posts