For Mental Health Awareness Month, we explore the critical challenges pilots face while suffering from mental health issues and discuss possible individual and organizational solutions.

Our guests are United Airlines Pilot, Troy Merritt, and Neurologist and Aircrew Brain Health Researcher, Dr. William "Billy" Hoffman. Troy discusses his personal experience of grounding himself due to mental health issues and explains the pilot mental health paradox. Dr. Hoffman draws on his research and medical experience with mental health in aviation to help us understand the efforts being made by researchers and the broader aviation community to bridge the gap for pilots and the industry as a whole. There is a lot to learn in this episode!

Key Takeaways:

• Pilots have two options; disclose their mental health issues to the FAA and become grounded or keep them secret and continue flying while untreated. Many pilots will face this paradox at some point in their flying career.
• Troy suffered from anxiety and depression and chose to ground himself in 2022. He found a doctor who prescribed SSRIs (Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors) and is already on the application pathway to fly again.
• Special Issuances are given to pilots who are approved to fly, despite their current health problems.
• Troy encourages all who are suffering from mental illness to seek treatment. Even talking to a therapist as a "life coach" is a great first step that doesn't alert the FAA.
• Billy continues to research with pilots and participate in conversations on how to better approach mental health problems in aviation.
• This paradox isn't limited to mental health. Many pilots also keep physical ailments to themselves or seek treatment without alerting the FAA.
• The FAA has set up a mental health rules committee to research and possibly change some regulations.

Resources:

• Pilots say they're afraid to seek mental health care. The FAA says it's listening - NPR
• The Pilot’s Pandemic Podcast
• Pilots hide mental health issues so they don’t ‘lose their wings’ - Washington Post

Explore the evolution of cabin safety and learn how it could save your life.

Today, we are excited to talk with retired Cabin Safety Specialist, and Wings Over the Rockies Volunteer, Denisekaren "DK" Deaderick. DK has been in this field for over 40 years and was the first Black woman to hold the position of FAA Cabin Safety Inspector. In this episode, we learn what exactly cabin safety is, how it has changed alongside advancements in technology, and how new regulations and rules are shaping the industry today. This one is going to be cool!

Key Takeaways:

• DK got her start in aviation as a flight attendant for North Central Airlines.
• Throughout her career, she has written a flight attendant manual, had multiple programs approved by the FAA, and even has her own rule enforced by the FAA that allows passengers to bring portable oxygen concentrators onboard.
• Cabin safety personnel support the operation of the aircraft by monitoring cabin hazards and risks.
• DK encourages all passengers to read every safety card as each airplane model has different emergency procedures.
• Despite the technical errors that Boeing aircraft have been facing, DK believes that they are working hard to fix the problems. In general, commercial airplanes are still the safest form of travel.
• Commercial space travel is right around the corner, and with it, a whole new set of cabin safety rules and regulations. DK hopes there is a future for flight attendants onboard space flights.
• Cabin safety jobs will always be relevant and necessary, and DK encourages listeners to pursue a career in this field.

Resources:

• DK’s Website
• FAA Cabin Safety Website
• IATA Cabin Safety Website

Today, in celebration of National Volunteer Month, we are excited to speak with Wings Over the Rockies volunteer, Phil Mentesana.

Phil shares personal stories about his time as an Electronic Warfare Officer on the B-52, flying the F-4 in Vietnam, and his time as a captain for United Airlines. He has many firsts in his career including being a part of the first B-52 missions to engage in combat during Operation Arc Light in Vietnam, leading Operation Linebacker I in the F-4, and so much more. This one is going to be cool!

Key Takeaways:

• Phil wanted to be a pilot but elected to go to Navigation training first, earning a spot as an Electronic Warfare Officer onboard the B-52 Stratofortress.
• While stationed on the B-52, he was a part of the first B-52 combat missions in Vietnam, flying in Operation Arc Light. On the first mission, two B-52s collided in the middle of a storm when trying to refuel.
• Phil finally got his chance to fly when he was reaching the age limit for pilot training. After training, his fighter pick was the F-4 Phantom.
• Phil went back to combat in Vietnam, this time flying the F-4. While there, he led the F-4 squadrons in Operation Linebacker I and had 14 SAMs shot at him in less than 15 minutes.
• After he retired from the Air Force, he went on to pilot for United Airlines. He flew every plane model they had at the time.
• Phil came to volunteer at Wings Over the Rockies to give back to the aviation career that treated him so well.

Resources:

• Operation Linebacker
• Operation Arc Light