Joseph LoRusso Interviewed by CBS Colorado
Pilots are criticizing the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) for its outdated and restrictive mental health policies, stating that they are causing pilots to either lie about their conditions or avoid seeking help, resulting in escalating issues.
As Director of Aviation at Ramos Law and a private pilot himself, Joseph LoRusso frequently represents fellow pilots in these situations. During a recent interview with CBS News Colorado Investigator Kati Weis, he asserts that the policies, based on standards from the 1980s, are a significant factor contributing to the pilot shortage, as they prevent young individuals who have sought mental health treatment in the past from entering the industry.
Learn more about these prevalent issues and the actions Joseph is taking by reading the full article and watching the interview.
This video discusses how the FAA’s outdated mental health policies are forcing pilots to conceal their conditions or avoid seeking necessary help. This issue gained significant attention following an incident at Denver International Airport, where a pilot, having reached his breaking point, attacked a parking lot gate with an ax. Pilots nationwide express frustration, claiming these policies discourage them from seeking help and could worsen the growing pilot shortage.
One pilot, Adam Lemons, shared his experience of struggling with PTSD after serving in Afghanistan. Despite no longer needing medication, his past diagnosis led to the FAA subjecting him to expensive, frequent drug tests and doctor visits with FAA-approved experts who do not accept insurance. Aviation attorney Joseph LoRusso highlights that the FAA’s policies, based on 1980s standards, contribute to the pilot shortage by medically disqualifying individuals who have sought mental health treatment. LoRusso is advocating for policy changes, such as not requiring pilots to report if they seek help from a counselor
Key Insights
- Outdated Policies: The FAA’s mental health policies are criticized for being based on 1980s standards, which do not align with modern understandings of mental health.
- Discouragement from Seeking Help: Pilots are deterred from seeking mental health assistance due to fear of losing their licenses, their ability to support their families, and their professional identity. This fear is so intense that it creates additional anxiety.
- Financial Burden: Pilots who are transparent about their mental health conditions often face significant out-of-pocket expenses for frequent drug tests and consultations with FAA-approved doctors who do not accept insurance. Adam Lemons, for example, spent over $30,000 to maintain his flying eligibility
- Contribution to Pilot Shortage: The current mental health policies are identified as a major factor contributing to the pilot shortage, as many individuals who have received mental health treatment are medically disqualified from becoming pilots
- Advocacy for Change: Aviation attorney Joseph LoRusso is actively lobbying Congress for policy reforms during the FAA’s reauthorization process, suggesting that seeking help from a counselor should not require reporting, unlike treatment involving psychiatrists or pharmaceuticals
- FAA’s Stance: The FAA states that it encourages pilots to seek help for mental health conditions, noting that most treated conditions do not disqualify a pilot from flying. They also claim to have invested resources to reduce the stigma associated with mental health in aviation
(FAQ) Frequently Asked Questions
What is the main concern regarding the FAA’s mental health policies?
Pilots are concerned that the FAA’s mental health policies are outdated, forcing them to lie about their conditions or avoid getting help, which could lead to serious incidents
What incident brought the issue of pilot mental health into focus?
The issue gained prominence after a pilot attacked a parking lot gate with an ax at Denver International Airport, stating he had reached his breaking point
How do FAA mental health policies financially impact pilots?
Pilots with mental health diagnoses often incur significant out-of-pocket costs for frequent drug tests and visits to FAA-approved experts who do not accept insurance. Adam Lemons reported spending over $30,000 over six years for these requirements.
How do these policies contribute to the pilot shortage?
According to Aviation attorney Joseph LoRusso, mental health policies are based on outdated standards from the 1980s, medically disqualifying many individuals who have sought treatment from entering the pilot pool
What changes are being advocated for in the FAA’s mental health policies?
Advocates are pushing for policies that would no longer require pilots to report if they seek help from a counselor, reserving reporting requirements for more severe interventions involving psychiatrists or pharmaceuticals