Washington, DC

NBAA lauds House passage of important pilot mental wellness legislation

The National Business Aviation Association has welcomed passage by the US House of Representatives of a bipartisan bill to improve pilot access to mental health care.

The Mental Health in Aviation Act (H.R. 2591) directs the FAA to revise mental health disclosure and treatment regulations, to update archaic policies surrounding such disclosures and to remove current barriers that may discourage pilots from seeking out mental wellness services.

“We are encouraged to see continued progress on this important legislation combatting the stigma and misinformation surrounding mental health concerns among our nation’s pilot community,” said NBAA President and CEO Ed Bolen. “It is vital that we foster an environment where pilots can seek help without fear of professional repercussions while also enhancing the safety of the traveling public.”

The bill also authorizes the FAA to spend nearly $40m over three years on programs to destigmatize mental health care and require the agency to implement the recommendations of the Mental Health and Aviation Medical Clearances Rulemaking Committee, on which NBAA represented business aviation stakeholders.

That representation is another example of NBAA’s longstanding support for mental wellness initiatives in business aviation and throughout the aerospace industry. That also includes representing the business aviation segment in the nonpartisan, grassroots Pilot Mental Health Campaign to bring legislative change in how mental health issues are handled within the aviation industry.

Bolen also thanked the lawmakers who introduced H.R. 2591, Reps. Sean Casten (D-06-IL), Rick Larsen (D-2-WA), Tracey Mann (R-1-KS) and Pete Stauber (R-08-MN). The bill received an additional 37 cosponsors ahead of the House vote.

The measure now moves to the US Senate for consideration.