Overview
NATA advocates for a balanced approach to pilot wellness that highlights pilot mental health and FAA medical certification, aiming to enhance safety, transparency, and trust. The Association collaborates with regulators, medical experts, and industry partners to reduce stigma, streamline certification processes, and enable pilots to pursue necessary healthcare without fear of career impact.
Through collaboration with the FAA’s Mental Health and Aviation Medical Clearances Aviation Rulemaking Committee (referred to as the Mental Health ARC) and other key stakeholders, NATA continues to advance practical solutions that protect both pilot well-being and aviation safety.
Supporting Pilots Through the Medical Certification Process
Background: In early 2025, the FAA experienced a significant backlog of medical approvals and began returning applications that were not fully completed. The FAA Medical Checklist helps pilots avoid administrative delays and ensure accurate documentation.
A Collaborative Path Forward
In early 2025, the FAA’s Mental Health ARC released recommendations designed to address barriers that discourage pilots and air traffic controllers from reporting or seeking care for mental health concerns.
The committee included members from industry trade associations, pilot and controller organizations, academia, and medical professionals. Suz Viljoen, NATA’s Education Success Manager, represented the Association and its members, ensuring the business aviation community’s perspective was included in the recommendations.
Stakeholders, including NATA, are actively working on implementing these recommendations within the FAA’s task group, which was included in sections 411 and 413 of the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2024.
“This is just the beginning of a critical conversation, but a meaningful and welcomed start,” said NATA President and CEO Curt Castagna. “NATA will continue collaborative dialogue with the FAA and our industry partners to modernize the approach to mental health in aviation and make the necessary culture shift to encourage aviation professionals to seek the help they need.”
Additional FAA Resources
NATA's Committment
NATA remains committed to advancing a safe, healthy, and sustainable aviation workforce. The Association will continue to:
- Advocate for FAA policies that protect pilot privacy and confidentiality.
- Collaborate with regulators to modernize medical certification processes.
- Provide education and tools to support pilot well-being and compliance.
Together, we can strengthen trust, remove barriers, and ensure that mental wellness remains an integral part of aviation safety.