FAA Mandated to Update Pilot & Controller Mental Health Rules Within 2 Years, Funded by $13.7M Annually

This bill, the "Mental Health in Aviation Act of 2025," directs the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to overhaul its approach to mental health for pilots and air traffic controllers. The core requirement is for the FAA to update its regulations within two years, aligning them with recommendations from an aviation workforce mental health task group and a specific Aviation Rulemaking Committee report from April 2024. The goal is to make it easier for aviation professionals to seek help and disclose mental health conditions without automatically fearing career-ending consequences.

Clearing the Air on Mental Health Rules

The legislation mandates specific changes based on expert input. Section 2 requires the FAA Administrator to revise regulations consistent with task group findings, emphasizing help-seeking and disclosure. This involves consulting with key players like pilot unions, controller representatives, and Aviation Medical Examiners (AMEs) – the doctors who perform FAA medical exams. Section 5 reinforces this by requiring the implementation of formal recommendations from the Mental Health and Aviation Medical Clearances Aviation Rulemaking Committee, also within a two-year timeframe. Essentially, the FAA is being told to modernize its rulebook based on recent, specialized advice, aiming for a system that supports, rather than solely penalizes, those dealing with mental health issues.

More Docs, Faster Clearances?

Recognizing that updated rules need effective implementation, the bill tackles the medical review process itself. Section 3 mandates an annual review and potential update of the "special issuance" process. This is the pathway for pilots and controllers with certain medical conditions (including mental health diagnoses) to potentially gain or maintain their medical certification. The review must consider approving more medications deemed safe for use while flying or controlling traffic, improving AME training on mental health, and potentially giving AMEs more authority to make decisions, speeding things up. To support this, Section 4 authorizes $13.74 million annually from FY2026 to FY2029. This funding is earmarked for recruiting and training more AMEs (including psychiatrists), boosting FAA oversight capacity, clearing backlogs in special issuance cases, and supporting other related activities needed to make the system work better.

Tackling Stigma Head-On

Beyond rules and processes, the bill acknowledges the cultural challenge of mental health stigma in aviation. Section 6 authorizes $1.5 million annually (FY2026-FY2029) for a public information campaign. The campaign's specific goals are to reduce stigma associated with seeking help, increase awareness of available mental health resources, and build trust between the FAA and the workforce. The FAA needs to report back to Congress within a year on how it plans to develop and roll out this campaign. It's a direct attempt to change the conversation and make pilots and controllers feel safer reaching out for support when they need it.