It’s fair to say we’re all feeling more stress in our lives right now as the COVID-19 pandemic lingers with no clear endpoint in sight. How can we better manage that stress in these uncertain times? “I think a lot of people are really hard on themselves about the way they are feeling when it comes to stress,” said Dr. Greg Vanichkachorn of the Mayo Clinic. “So recognizing that you are stressed and realizing that this can happen is the first step.”
In this episode of NBAA’s Flight Plan, host Rob Finfrock speaks with:
Dr. Daniel Gilday, medical program director for AirCare International and an ER physician
Matthew McNeil, president and clinical director for LiftEffect and a commercial airline captain
Dr. Greg Vanichkachorn, senior associate consultant and senior aviation medical examiner at the Mayo Clinic
NBAA Flight Plan is sponsored by Whiting Aviation Park, ready to grow your business in Santa Rosa County, FL.
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.