In the latest episode of the Pilot Minute, Federal Air Surgeon Susan Northrup, MD, explains how pilots can make it easier to get documents to the FAA by bringing them with you to your AME appointment. Take a little bit more than a minute to watch the video — it might save you some time and headaches.
Medical
Hypoxia demonstration an eye-opener for GA pilots at Oshkosh
General aviation pilots at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2023 volunteered to sustain oxygen deprivation, turn blue, and emulate barely-sentient zombies in the interest of flight safety — their own flight safety.
FAA becoming more flexible on pilot mental health
If the FAA puts up too many barriers for pilots wrestling with medical and mental health issues, it can backfire, according to Larsen. He noted a Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine study last year found that 56.1% of pilots reported avoiding health care for fear of being grounded.
FAA updates pilot antidepressant program
Pilots who are on antidepressants don’t have to have routine follow-ups, while the FAA added a new drug, bupropion, to the list of approved antidepressants.
From cockpit to cancer to cockpit
Sidelined after 26 straight seasons as an ag pilot. Mike is back in the cockpit.
New study shows pilots hide health problems to keep flying
Knowing they could be grounded, pilots may not be truthful about their health if there is a chance their employers or the FAA could find out, according to the new study.
New report validates BasicMed
“The FAA’s report to Congress confirms what we have known for years: BasicMed works and BasicMed pilots remain safe pilots,” said AOPA President and CEO Mark Baker. “We have just gone through the safest three to four years in general aviation history.”
Pilots encouraged to participate in medical study
According to UND faculty, a recent study found that 56% of U.S. pilots reported some form of healthcare avoidance to protect their ability to fly.
If you find them, I don’t want them back
Today, I weigh about what I did when I started my senior year in high school. Better yet, I am down about 70 pounds from my unhealthy peak before Deb and I had our first kid. Thankfully.