July 15, 2024
The FAA recently issued new guidelines indicating that the agency is changing its criteria for evaluating pilots’ mental wellness, giving medical examiners greater autonomy in evaluations. Listen as a panel of mental-wellness experts takes listeners behind the headlines to discuss ways the changes might impact aviators’ readiness for flight.
In this episode of NBAA’s “Flight Plan,” host Rob Finfrock speaks with:
* Dr. Clayton Cowl, chief of the section of transportation medicine for Mayo Clinic
* Mark Larsen, CAM, NBAA director of safety and flight operations
* Matthew McNeil, president, clinical director and director of human performance at LiftAffect
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.
Related Articles
June 8, 2026
NBAA Champions New FAA Mental Wellness Policy Supporting Counseling
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.
Read More
May 1, 2026
NBAA, MedAire Partner to Bring Peer Support Access to Individual Aviation Professionals
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.
Read More
March 25, 2026
SDC2026: Insights on Mental Wellness Among Schedulers and Dispatchers
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.
Read More
March 3, 2026
NBAA IOC Day 2: Experts Focus on Mental Wellness in Bizav
Speaking at the 2026 Int’l Operators Conference, the federal air surgeon urged pilots to monitor their mental wellness and seek help sooner.
Read More
International Business Aviation Council Ltd.