Overview
- The Senate Commerce Committee’s unanimous vote Tuesday advances the Mental Health in Aviation Act to the full Senate after a similar bill cleared the House in September.
- The bill directs the FAA to rewrite medical certification rules to encourage voluntary reporting, broaden approved treatments and medications, and cut special-issuance backlogs using expert recommendations.
- The measure allocates $15 million a year through 2029 to the FAA Office of Aerospace Medicine to hire and train more aviation medical examiners, including mental health specialists.
- Industry groups voiced support, with AOPA announcing Tuesday a May education push at SUN ’n FUN to give pilots and instructors clear guidance on care, medications, and certification.
- The FAA says it has already approved more medications and expanded examiner authority since 2023, yet studies and advocates report pilots still avoid disclosure due to fear of career harm.