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1Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches2Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems3Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteIn the United States, pilot fitness is addressed through recurring FAA medical certification, the pilot’s responsibility to stop flying when a condition affects safe performance, and additional support or screening that individual airlines may provide. FAA certification is the regulatory process; airline and union programs can offer assistance but do not decide whether a pilot meets FAA medical standards.
How FAA medical certification works
Airline pilots must hold the medical certification required for their flying duties. The FAA says exams with an Aviation Medical Examiner (AME) recur at intervals ranging from six months to five years, depending on the type of flying and the pilot’s age. The process begins with an application through MedXPress and an examination by an AME. FAA medical certification
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Applicants disclose relevant medical history, medications, and visits to health professionals during the prior three years. The AME reviews the history and conducts the examination, which can include vital signs, sensory tests, and a general psychiatric impression based on observation and questions. The FAA describes the application and exam process in its Guide for Aviation Medical Examiners.
Depending on the case, an AME may issue a certificate, defer the application for FAA review, or deny it in limited circumstances involving a specifically disqualifying condition. A deferral is not the same as a denial: it means the case needs further review. The FAA may request records, additional testing, or specialist assessments, and it can seek more information later if it receives relevant medical information or after an incident that appears medically related.
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What happens when mental health is part of the review?
The FAA says applicants must disclose relevant mental-health history and care. A mental-health disclosure can prompt follow-up questions, documentation requests, psychological testing, or referral for FAA review. Depending on the condition and circumstances, the FAA may require psychiatric and psychological evaluations; the FAA’s AME Guide describes condition-specific requirements and pathways.
Mental-health treatment does not automatically end a pilot’s flying career. The FAA says most treated mental-health conditions do not disqualify a pilot, while some conditions are disqualifying and others require added documentation or individualized review. That is not a guarantee that a particular applicant will be certified. For a current or past condition, or a medication question, pilots should consult an AME and the current FAA guidance for the specific diagnosis, medication, and certification pathway.
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The FAA has said that about 0.1% of medical certificate applicants who disclose health issues are denied. The FAA page does not identify the data period or methodology behind that figure, so it should not be treated as an individual applicant’s odds or as a rate for any particular diagnosis or medication. FAA Pilot Mental Fitness
Certification is not the same as being fit to fly today
A medical certificate is a periodic checkpoint, not permission to fly through a new or worsening impairment. FAA guidance says pilots must not act as crewmembers when a known medical condition prevents them from meeting the applicable medical standards. A change in health can therefore matter even when a certificate remains valid. FAA Medical Facts for Pilots
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How airline and union support differs from FAA certification
The FAA notes that commercial airlines often have their own mental-health screenings and requirements. Those practices vary by carrier; FAA guidance does not establish which screening methods a specific airline currently uses or how a carrier’s policies interact with FAA certification.
| Aspect | FAA medical certification | Airline or union support |
|---|---|---|
| Purpose | Determine aeromedical eligibility under FAA rules. | Offer screening or assistance with wellbeing and personal, psychological, physiological, or medical challenges. |
| Who is involved | An AME and, when needed, the FAA. | Carrier- or union-linked personnel; arrangements vary. |
| What prompts it | Scheduled medical examinations and condition-driven review. | Voluntary or program-specific participation or screening. |
| What it can decide | The FAA determines medical certification under its rules. | A support program does not itself establish FAA medical eligibility. |
An FAA committee report described carrier-linked examples including Delta’s Pilot Assistance Network and American Airlines’ Project Wingman. Those examples appear in a 2015 report and do not establish that either program is currently available, what its terms are, who is eligible, or what confidentiality protections apply. Pilot Fitness Aviation Rulemaking Committee Recommendation Report
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What pilots should do when a concern arises
- For certification questions involving a current or past condition or medication, consult an AME and the current FAA AME Guide for the relevant pathway.
- Do not assume that a valid medical certificate settles whether you are fit for a particular flight; follow FAA guidance if a condition is new or worsening.
- If seeking support, check the airline’s or union’s current program information directly. Do not assume a program’s confidentiality, eligibility, or return-to-duty rules without reviewing its current policy.
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