Now that the FAA has cleared the way for commercial pilots with insulin-treated diabetes mellitus to receive first or second class medical certificates if they can prove its well-managed, this could make it easier for business aircraft pilots to return to the skies as well. “I think this is a wonderful policy that will allow professional pilots to maintain their certification while optimizing their health, said Dr. Quay Snyder, president, CEO and co-founder of Aviation Medicine Advisory Service.
In this episode of NBAA Flight Plan, host Rob Finfrock speaks with:
Dr. Clayton Cowl, chair of preventative, operational and aerospace medicine at the Mayo Clinic
Dr. Quay Snyder, president, CEO and co-founder of Aviation Medicine Advisory Service
NBAA Flight Plan is sponsored by Schedaero, the software that elevates your flight operations.
The NBAA Flight Plan podcast, which ran from 2009 to 2025, provided an overview of important developments affecting NBAA members, and the association’s work to advocate for their interest. The archive of past episodes will remain available for your enjoyment. Please note that no new episodes will be released.
NBAA welcomed a recent FAA aeromedical policy update encouraging pilots and air traffic controllers to seek counseling and mental health support early and without fear that receiving talk therapy would jeopardize their medical certification, marking an important shift in the agency’s approach to mental wellness.
NBAA announced a partnership with MedAire, an International SOS company, which extends MedAire Wellbeing Services access to individual NBAA members at a preferred member rate, marking the first time aviation professionals can enroll independently of their flight department.
At the 2026 NBAA Schedulers & Dispatchers Conference, the “Plotting a Modern Route for Mental Health in Aviation” session will feature insights on the impacts mental health and personal fatigue can have on those working in a profession that always demands top performance.