Safety Newsletter

Issue 2 | Summer 2024

The Evolving Story of Mental Health in Aviation: The National Transportation Safety Board Round Table and the FAA Aviation Rulemaking Committee (ARC) - By William Hoffman, MD

This article examines the substantial obstacles that pilots encounter when seeking mental healthcare.

Healthcare Avoidance: A 2023 study revealed that 56% of pilots in the US and Canada avoid healthcare due to fears of job loss.
FAA Initiatives: Dr. Penny Giovanetti from the FAA discussed efforts to dispel myths and improve the certification process for mental health-related conditions.
Recommendations for Change: The FAA's Aviation Rulemaking Committee (ARC) on Mental Health has published a report with 24 recommendations. These include eliminating the requirement for pilots to disclose talk therapy and creating non-punitive pathways for reporting mental health issues.

The round table concluded on a hopeful note, emphasizing the need to build a supportive culture for mental health in aviation. For a comprehensive article on the steps being taken to ensure the well-being and safety of aviation professionals, read the full article here.

William Hoffman MD is a neurologist and an affiliated assistant professor of aviation at the University of North Dakota John D. Odegard School of Aerospace Science with an interest in aircrew brain health and pilot healthcare behavior. Follow him on LinkedIn.

Upcoming CABAA Safety Webinar: Kris Cannon of Aviation Secure

Wednesday, August 21, 10:00 a.m.

Kris Cannon, president and founder of Aviation Secure, Inc., a company dedicated to helping crew members ensure safe operations on the road, will discuss the biggest security areas with holes in corporate aviation. Learn how to better protect yourself and passengers at FBOs and hotels. Q&A will follow, so bring your questions or email them ahead of time to shaniag@cabaa.com.

The GoToMeeting webinar link will be emailed the day prior to the presentation, so be sure to RSVP.

RSVP to Attend

Recap of Safety Webinar: Chicago ATC Alison Ellis

During our last webinar, Alison Ellis, Chicago ATC, discussed behind the scenes what goes on in a Chicago Center facility. Ellis detailed how controllers operate day-to-day, functions they utilize to ensure separation, the ways to enter into the career field, and answered a variety of questions. We will coordinate a Chicago Center tour and potential for a Pilot and ATC forum in the future, so keep an eye out for that! If you missed the webinar, view the recording here.

How to Combat Maintenance Fatigue

There is a significant impact of fatigue on safety across the aviation industry, particularly in maintenance. Fatigue amplifies the effects of other factors, making tasks more challenging and increasing the risk of errors. While fatigue is often associated with pilot errors, its importance in maintenance departments is often overlooked.

Industry experts express concerns about the impending shortage of pilots, while Forbes predicts an even larger gap in qualified mechanics. Skybrary elaborates on some effective ways to mitigate fatigue here: https://skybrary.aero/articles/fatigue-risk-maintenance

Undoubtedly, our mechanics’ resistance to the effects of fatigue is only going to become more critical with the shortage in years to come, and it is important that we give maintenance fatigue the attention it deserves.

Complacency in Aviation

Combating complacency is crucial in aviation safety. While checklists are essential, complacency often stems from over reliance on colleagues in business aviation and trust in automation, leading to lapses in vigilance. High task saturation can create a false sense of security, causing neglect of duties, while organizational complacency arises from management's failure to enforce accountability, reducing productivity and safety reporting. Fatigue-induced complacency further threatens safety by impairing attention to detail. Addressing complacency requires a comprehensive approach that includes procedural adherence, fostering accountability, promoting continuous learning, and managing fatigue to mitigate safety risks in aviation and beyond.