AOPA Pilot Magazine - December 2022 - 13

Pilot mental
health reform
By Christopher Cooper
AOPA senior director, regulatory affairs
I PART ICIPAT ED IN a
roundtable discussion
at EAA AirVenture
to discuss pilot mental
health and reform.
The panel of medical
experts included
the FAA's Federal Air
Surgeon, Dr. Susan
Northrup. We all agreed it is critical for pilots
(and anyone else) who experience mental
health challenges to get the care they need.
We appreciate the FAA's recognition of this
important issue, and we will all work to help
pilots-hopefully without fear of losing their
medical, or worse, their livelihood.
In a recent study of 3,765 U.S. pilots, just more
than 56 percent of the respondents indicated
they had participated in some form of healthcare
avoidance behavior for fear of losing their
medical certificate. Specifically, nearly 27 percent
admitted to misrepresenting or withholding
information during aeromedical screening for
the same fear. This is just a part of the larger
dilemma that we recognize many pilots face, and
we must find ways to move forward that protect
both safety and those pilots impacted by manageable
mental health conditions.
At EAA AirVenture, I described three
important areas to improve policies and reduce
structural barriers to support individuals with
mental health issues. First, remove the stigma of
mental health matters to reduce the social barriers
of seeking help when you need it. Second,
effective communication of mental health
resources and facts through education and
outreach. Finally, address the policies and processes
pilots face that can take months or even
years long. We are fortunate to have Northrup,
who is aware of these issues and open to helping
pilots operate safely while getting the care
they need. Fly safe and take care of yourself-
and each other. AOPA's Medical Certification
Specialists can provide you guidance to navigate
this journey (medicalassist@aopa.org).
christopher.cooper@aopa.org
ON THE FRONT L INES /
REGIONAL NEWS /
Great airports
are managed
'like a business'
By Mike Ginter
AOPA vice president, airports
and state advocacy
AOPA HAS ENGAGED with countless
airport issues over the past 83
years, and we have seen " the good,
the bad, and the ugly. " Thankfully,
most of the 5,000-plus public use
airports are very well managed and
look for ways to grow their services
to support general aviation.
One of the common themes we see
at " great " airports is a management
philosophy of supporting general
aviation operations and managing
the airport with both tenants and
itinerant operations in mind. These
airports have well-developed vision
statements, and work hard to attract
more tenants by building hangars,
keeping the facilities and runways
clean and attractive, and setting a
culture that makes every local and
transient pilot feel welcome.
When our team of airport advocates
are asked to help with an
airport issue, we collaborate with the
local AOPA Airport Support Network
volunteer, the airport manager, and
local pilot groups to find an acceptable
solution. Over the years, AOPA
has developed an extensive online
resource library of documents and
case studies to help our volunteers
and members learn more about airport
management, funding, hangar
development, hosting community or
media events, and other topics.
Consider volunteering for
the Airport Support Network or
glance at our airport resource
library online (aopa.org/asn). Our
regional managers can be reached
at 800-USA-AOPA.
mike.ginter@aopa.org
200
organizations across
all aviation sectors
support the creation of the National Center
for the Advancement of Aviation.
NORTHWEST MOUNTA IN REGION
Hosted ASN twenty-fifth anniversary
gathering at Felts Field Airport (SFF);
Participated in discussion seeking a site for
a new commercial service airport for the
Seattle metropolitan region.
AL ASKA REGION
Worked with the FAA to adjust the size of
the Class E surface area at Sitka to better
facilitate pilot access to the airspace.
CENTR AL SOUTHWEST
Attended " Fly Into Fall " event at Midland
(Texas) Airpark (MDD), where ASN
volunteer Vicki Hurt was awarded for her
work to thwart efforts to close the airport.
GREAT L AKES REGION
AOPA appointed to the Ohio Airport System
Plan Update-Project Advisory Committee,
which will plan outlines for aviation
infrastructure, funding, and economic
impacts to the Ohio airport system.
SOUTHERN REGION
Hosted the ASN twenty-fifth anniversary
cookout at South Carolina Greenville
Downtown airport; represented GA at
the Aviation Council of Alabama annual
conference in Huntsville.
WESTERN PACIFIC
Celebrated the ASN twenty-fifth anniversary
gathering at the Reno Air Races.
EASTERN REGION
Urged New York Gov. Kathy Hochul to veto
legislation aimed at permitting a right of
action on undesirable helicopter noise; sent
a letter to Vermont DOT advocating to keep
a Turf Operations Area from closing at the
Franklin County State Airport (FSO).
aopa.org/advocacy/state-advocacy
AOPA PILOT / December 2022
13
http://www.aopa.org/asn http://www.aopa.org/advocacy/state-advocacy
AOPA Pilot Magazine - December 2022

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of AOPA Pilot Magazine - December 2022
