Do pilots face health issues?

Pilot medical issues were the cause of 9 percent of fatal aviation accidents during a 10-year period from 2012 to 2022, data compiled by the National Transportation Safety Board shows. A fatal crash in Europe in March 2015 raised new alarms about the risks of pilots with undisclosed mental health conditions.



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What health problems do pilots face?
  • Cancer.
  • Communicable Diseases.
  • Musculoskeletal Disorders.
  • Noise/Hearing Loss.
  • Reproductive Health.
  • Respiratory Symptoms and Diseases.


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While pilots must pass regular government-contracted health exams, the tests often are cursory and the FAA relies on aviators to self-report conditions that can otherwise be difficult to detect, such as depression or post-traumatic stress, according to physicians who conduct the exams.

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What medical conditions does the FAA consider disqualifying?
  • Angina pectoris.
  • Bipolar disease.
  • Cardiac valve replacement.
  • Coronary heart disease that has been treated or, if untreated, that has been symptomatic or clinically significant.
  • Diabetes mellitus requiring hypoglycemic medications.


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Unfortunately, some medical or health issues may cause you to fail the extensive medical examinations required to become a pilot. This includes certain heart diseases, conditions such as epilepsy, poor hearing, bad vision, and even common allergies, as certain allergy medications can make you drowsy.

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One of the most common risks associated with being a pilot is the physical and mental strain. Pilots must remain alert and focused for long periods of time, often in difficult circumstances. This can lead to fatigue and stress, both of which can have a negative impact on their performance and safety.

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One of the major benefits of being a pilot is you can expect a hugely rewarding career; from taking your first solo flight, completing your first landing, flying to a new destination to overcoming challenges, every day is rewarding as a pilot in the cockpit.

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How many pilots suffer from mental illness? This study found 233 (12.6%) airline pilots meeting depression threshold and 75 (4.1%) pilots reporting having suicidal thoughts.

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Results: An analysis of 534 autopsy reports revealed presence of cardiovascular abnormalities in 234 pilots (prevalence rate 43.82%). Coronary artery stenosis had a prevalence rate of 37.64%.

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Is Being a Pilot Safe? According to the National Safety Council, the risk of being injured in an aircraft accident is too small to calculate. While pilots fly more than most, the odds may be slightly increased. However, this is still minuscule.

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Being a pilot can be stressful at times. It requires immense concentration, quick decision-making, and a lot of patience. A pilot is responsible for the well-being of all crew members and passengers on board, and they sometimes have to fly under unpredictable conditions.

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Yes, being a pilot is worth it for many students. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects 5% job growth for airline and commercial pilots over the next ten years. This is faster than the average growth for all occupations.

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Pilots typically work between 50 and 75 hours a week. They may fly for several hours at a time or be on call and must be ready to fly on short-notice, typically due to a staff shortage.

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Today, fatigue remains a very real concern for pilots. It's estimated that pilot fatigue accounts for around 15-20% of all fatal air accidents related to human error, and there's no way of knowing how many unexplained accidents were caused by a pilot falling asleep at the controls.

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“With anxiety and depression on the rise, the FAA needs to do more to remove the stigma surrounding mental illness in the aviation industry so pilots are more likely to report, seek treatment, and take time off work, if needed,” says Yalda Safai, MD, MPH, a psychiatrist in New York City.

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There are no specific height restrictions for pilots under FAA rules. Flight schools and commercial airlines accept pilots for training as long as they are physically able to reach the controls and obtain a full rudder deflection in the aircraft they will operate.

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