Mental health and Fit-to-Fly
- ingenessioy
- Jan 4
- 2 min read
As the holder of a medical certificate or medical declaration, you are required as flight crew to seek advice from an Aviation Medical Examiner or an Aeromedical Centre when experiencing a wide range of health issues – this very much includes depression, anxiety, fatigue, or other psychological crises or conditions.
Mental health and perceived wellbeing range from managing everyday challenges effectively to experiencing deep sadness, troubling thoughts, and difficulties coping.
For flight crew, there is no clear separation between private health and work‑related requirements.
When sleep becomes poor, daily life feels heavy, and it becomes difficult to manage the tasks that keep piling up, it is time to speak with both your GP and your aviation medical examiner.
Often, issues can be resolved through a few conversations and follow‑up with your GP/AME. At other times, a ‘time‑out’ and follow‑up with a psychologist or another specialist may be desirable – or necessary.
In such cases, it is important that those you contact for further help understand the working conditions, regulations, and procedures that apply specifically to your role as flight crew.
We know which specialists – through their interest in their fields and in the particular challenges faced by flight crew – can provide you with good support and provide us with the clarifications needed.
This includes:
psychologists
psychiatrists
neuropsychologists
specialists in addiction medicine
If needed, we will arrange a referral.
Remember: our shared responsibility is to safeguard flight safety – and our goal as aviation medical examiners is to help you manage this in the best possible way within the applicable rules and procedures.
See also information from the Civil Aviation Authority:
When your wings are broken - fix them and keep on flying!
