Depression – should it be a career ending diagnose for pilots?

The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) classifies depression as a "mental abnormality" and states that in order to receive a medical certificate, a pilot should have no medical or clinical records of suffering from such an abnormality. However, if you ban some pilots from flying while they are receiving treatment for depression, then doesn’t this mean that you discourage them from seeking professional help? In other words, is it worse to have a pilot flying whilst suffering from an untreated depression as opposed to the one whose psychological problems are being addressed professionally?

One of the most recent studies of aircraft assisted suicides in the United States has found that in a 20-year period (1993–2012) the proportion of general aviation suicides in relation to the total number of fatal aviation accidents is 0.33%. However, the study has also revealed that only 22% of all individuals committing suicide communicate such an intention during their last appointment with a health professional. The reality is that the process of reliably detecting psychological problems, particularly at the early stages, if the patient does not cooperate, is extremely difficult. On top of that, pilots, probably more than any other professionals, may find themselves under pressure to conceal the problem as the diagnosis could easily become the ending point in their careers.

The impact of SSRIs...

The treatment for depression often involves taking an antidepressant. Although the type of drugs approved by the aeromedical regulatory authorities for the use by pilots varies from country to country, the most prevalent avenue for the treatment of depression is the course of Selective Serotonin Reuptake-Inhibitors (SSRIs); however, due to adverse reactions, SSRIs have been widely criticized by many members of the aerospace medical community in terms of their effects on psychomotor performance.

In the meantime, multiple post-mortem samples from pilots involved in fatal civil aircraft accidents in the United States during 1990–2001 revealed that out of 4,184 fatal civil aviation accidents, as many as 61 plane was piloted by a professional taking SSRIs. As determined by the National Transportation Safety Board, the use of an SSRI has been a contributing factor in at least nine (0.02%) of the 4,184 accidents. However, it is noteworthy that other factors, such as the weather conditions, mechanical deficiencies, and/or piloting errors, could not be completely ruled out in the aforementioned 61 cases.

 .and other drugs used among pilots

Additionally, another notable study conducted by the FAA Civil Aerospace Medical Institute and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) revealed that out of 1353 pilots involved in fatal accidents during 2004-2008, as many as 92 (or 7%) were found to have ethanol (alcohol) present in their systems. Moreover, 28 (2%) of them tested positive for marijuana and 9 (0.7%) - for cocaine.

Meanwhile, multiple studies indicate that the percentage of drug users amongst pilots has remained relatively constant over the past 20 years (around 0.02%). However, the percentage of alcohol, cocaine and marijuana users is much higher amongst pilots treated with SSRIs.

Considering the aforementioned statistics, the currently used pilot health screening system is clearly far from perfect.

The choice is ours

If the reaction to the latest catastrophe in the Alps is to immediately assume that all pilots, with or without a history of mental illness, cannot be trusted on their own, it will do a great disservice to all pilots and will certainly dissuade those who suspect having mood swings or depression from seeking help.

“As far as I know, airline pilots don't regularly have their mental health assessed. There are pilots with history of depression who have flown safely for decades. No destructive behavior can be directly linked to mental illness, as multiple studies have shown. Just as in hospital practice, pilots with alcohol problems should know they may count on receiving help, get appropriate treatment and return to their normal and happy life. Pilots dealing with stress and anxiety should know that too,” shares a psychologist familiar with aviation. “The main issue does not even lie with psychology specialists or pilots themselves. Instead, it is rather a regulatory concern, with both mental and physical well-being of pilots (and thus passengers) being the top priority for airlines and the entire industry.”

Instead of a lengthy conclusion, let’s consider several noteworthy examples. The Canadian aviation authorities have an aeromedically supervised treatment protocol that allows a small number of pilots to fly “with or as co-pilots” whilst undergoing antidepressant treatment and therapy. In the meantime, from January 1993 to June 2004 the Australian Civil Aviation Safety Authority (ACASA) allowed nearly 500 pilots and air traffic controllers to return to duty while their depression was under control with SSRIs. Guess what? All of them (apart from those in retirement) are still flying planes today… and landing them safely.

What does that mean? Mainly, that a combination of awareness, support and advocacy can help save lives. The airline industry needs to create an open environment where pilots always feel comfortable in admitting whatever issue they may have.

Therapists or pilots – why aircrew is left to evaluate their own mind?

Despite a number of widely discussed tragedies, 2014 actually set a new record for the fewest number of commercial aviation accidents since the start of the airline age, with just 21 recorded. That’s down from 29 in 2013, 23 in 2012 and 36 in 2011. Nevertheless, the recent tragic events casted a shadow on some of the aviation safety related procedures, namely those concerning pilot mental health evaluation. It appears that even though hundreds of lives are in the hands of an aircraft pilot daily, it is pilots themselves that are responsible for assessing their own mental health.

“During the primary training, pilots are subject to thorough examination. However, the main focus usually remains on physical, not mental issues. Moreover, even though airlinesperform thorough background checks and seek reference letters, all of that is done only in the beginning of pilot’s career. Later on, yearly checks, containing couple of tick-boxes regarding mental illness is all that’s done to evaluate overall capability of an aircraft pilot, leaving him the sole authority to decide whether his mind is set for the job,” comments Skaiste Knyzaite, CEO of AviationCV.com.

“Needless to say, keeping in mind that one of four people around the globe are affected by mental or neurological disorder according to World Health Organization, such an attitude rightfully becomes the reason for public concern.”mentioned among the most respectable and trusted professions, all eyes quickly turn to the person manning the aircraft in case of an accident. Not surprisingly, in order to ensure the utmost safety of the most popular way of travelling the world, airline pilots have to undergo a highly specific and extremely detailed training, which sometimes can exceed to years of learning and testing. Outstandingly, however, even in the line with FAA and EASA regulation, pilots around the globe are left on their own when it comes to monitoring something as important as their mental health.

Although most of regional CAA’s are reviewing their relevant procedures in the light of recent tragic events, most of them state that the current practice of assessing mental health is sufficient. Moreover, they claim that no matter the changes, it is impossible to ensure that accidents caused by pilot’s mental stability are eliminated altogether.

In addition to that, even with tightening of the screening process, there is no potential way to eliminate pilot dishonesty. In fact, according to the rules of the FAA, pilots can be fined up to $250 000 if they try to falsify information or lie about their health. Despite that, clearly understanding that recognition of mental illness would definitely mean hurting ones career, it is not surprising many would be inclined to mention nothing that could raise suspicions.

“It is clear that strict regulations are not the answer. In the U.S. alone there are around 600 000 of licensed pilots, and conducting thorough personality checks for American pilots alone would consume 3.6 million hours and $1.8 billion at the midpoint of the price range. Keeping that in mind, airlines worldwide should instead opt to revise their HR strategies in terms of training, evaluation and recruitment process as a whole in order to minimize any possible loopholes in the system,” concludes Skaiste Knyzaite, CEO of AviationCV.com.

Bombardier announces order for specialized air-ambulance aircraft

Bombardier announced today that it has signed a firm purchase agreement with Swiss Air-Ambulance Rega (“Rega”) for three Bombardier Challenger 650 aircraft. The transaction is valued at approximately $130 million US, based on 2015 list prices and includes various aircraft modifications, such as the installation of a medical evacuation interior. Deliveries of the modified Challenger 650 aircraft are scheduled for 2018.

A loyal Bombardier Challenger aircraft customer, Rega is the leading Swiss air-ambulance provider. As a privately funded foundation, its mission is to carry out air-rescue operations in Switzerland and to repatriate patients from abroad. As one of the world's pioneers in aeromedical evacuation, Rega has a long tradition in dealing with medical emergencies around the world. Their current fleet of three Challenger 604 aircraft are used exclusively for ambulance flights and are outfitted with intensive-care units.

“Bombardier has enjoyed an excellent working relationship with Rega since 1982 when the company purchased its first Challenger aircraft and again in 2002 with the addition of the Challenger 604 aircraft to its fleet,” said Stéphane Villeneuve, Vice-President, Specialized Aircraft, Bombardier. “We are very proud of the confidence that Rega continues to place in Bombardier, and we look forward to many more years of collaboration.”

“A preferred medical evacuation platform, Challenger aircraft have a long-standing history of air-ambulance operations. With its enhanced performance from short runways and proven reliability and track record, we are convinced the next-generation Challenger 650 aircraft is the definitive choice to carry out Rega’s extremely critical air-ambulance missions,” added Mr. Villeneuve.

“We are pleased with the acquisition of an additional three Bombardier Challenger aircraft,” said Ernst Kohler, CEO and Chairman of the Management Board of Rega. “The aircraft meets our requirements perfectly and will again serve thousands of patients worldwide, as did its predecessors.”  Rega organizes and executes medical evacuations and medically escorted repatriations from anywhere in the world. “Our medical teams of experienced doctors and intensive-care nurses, as well as our pilots, appreciate the generous on-board conditions and the well-proven technology. We are pleased to rely on the Challenger platform to perform our life-saving missions,” added Mr. Kohler.

FAA proposes $1.54m penalty against Air Methods

The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) proposes a $1.54 million civil penalty against Air Methods Corp. of Englewood, Colo., for allegedly operating Eurocopter EC-130 helicopters on dozens of flights when they were not in compliance with Federal Aviation Regulations.

The FAA alleges Air Methods operated two helicopters on 70 passenger-carrying flights for compensation or hire, over water and beyond power-off gliding distance from shore, when they lacked required helicopter flotation devices and flotation gear for each occupant. The agency alleges the company operated another helicopter on 13 such flights when it lacked required flotation gear for each occupant. All 83 flights by the emergency medical transport company occurred around Pensacola, Fla.

“The flying public correctly expects that American operators will place safety above all else,” said U.S. Secretary of Transportation Anthony Foxx. “We will hold operators accountable when they fail to meet those expectations.”

“Operators must follow every regulation and take every precaution to ensure the safety of all those on board,” said FAA Administrator Michael Huerta. “Flying without required safety equipment is indefensible.”

Source and image: FAA

Boeing, Panama’s Copa Airlines sign $6.6B deal for 61 planes

Boeing has signed an agreement with Panama’s Copa Airlines for a $6.6 billion purchase of 61 airline jets, the airline announced.

Copa Airlines said in a statement it will use the airplanes to replace existing airplanes and support the carrier’s plans for strategic growth.

Officials say the deal is the biggest between Panamanian and U.S. companies.

Copa said it will be the first airline in the region to operate the 737 MAX 9 on deep South American routes.

Boeing delivers 184 airplanes in Q1, 2015

Boeing reports first quarter of 2015 deliveries. A total of 184 commercial airplanes were delivered in the first quarter of 2015.

The deliveries include 121 of Boeing's 737 Next Generation aircrafts, 30 of 787 dreamliners, 24 777 aircraft, five 767 and four 747 jumbos.

In monetary terms, sales rose by 18.3% or by $ 4.6 billion.

Most popular aircraft model was 737 - 121 airliner was delivered in the first quarter, which is 6 units more than in the first quarter of 2014. Meanwhile, the 737 series have provided 39% of the company's revenue, or about $ 11.7 billion.

Since the beginning of this year, Boeing has shipped 42 military aircraft, 4 less than in the same period in 2014.

Cessna 172 crashes next to German highway

A Cessna 172 plane with four people crashed Sunday in the highway A28 near Oldenburg, Germany. One or two people have been killed, according to various media reports. 

It's believed the plane attempted to land at the nearby Hude-Hatten airdrome and crash landed on the motorway between a fence and a guardrail.

The rescue teams are currently operating at the scene, with helicopters delivering the wounded to hospitals. The highway was blocked off in both directions because of explosion risks caused by a fuel leak.

Neither the reasons behind the crash nor the identity of the passengers have so far been stated.