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No Psychological Testing Needed Of Airline Pilots

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FAA: No Psychological Testing Needed Of Airline Pilots
I. Case Synopsis

On June 9, 2016, the Federal Aviation Association (FAA) announced specific actions that it will take in response to the issue concerning pilot’s mental health. These actions were formulated using recommendations made by Aviation Rulemaking Committee (ARC).

A year after the Germanwings tragic event, we have seen disappointing efforts by FAA in strengthening the security for passengers and crew. The murder-suicide crash last year killed over 150 passengers. It focused attention on how airliners and regulators can better monitor pilots’ mental health and improve aviation safety. In response to the event, many international agencies of aviation safety encouraged a …show more content…

The most evaluated aspects are the hiring standard and ongoing evaluation of pilots. Currently, no psychological testing is required for airline pilots. Although most airliners choose to incorporate psychological testing in their hiring process, but these tests were primarily designed as personality test. The test was used to examine whether a pilot will fit well in the company and do little to uncover the mental state and fitness of the pilot.

The most important source of mental health information came from pilot 's self-reported health form. Besides the self-reported health form, airliners relied heavily on annual medical examination administered by FAA certified examiner to discern mental health profile of their pilots. However, the exam was devoted to examine pilot 's physical conditions where examiners were not required to ask mental health questions. The mental health was evaluated based on their conversation with the pilot during the exam.

ii. Patient Confidentiality Concerns

Medical practitioners are not obliged to disclose medical condition to authorities. In fact, doctors who reports such information were often charged with criminal offense for violating patient confidentiality agreement. Patient confidentiality in the U.S. is regulated by federal law. It

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