Pilots suffer from anxiety and depression just as the rest of the population does. But they seem to be even less likely than those in other careers to seek support and treatment. At FLYING, we're committed to probing whether this hunch is correct, and if so, why it's the case.
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Recent studies underscore that the prevalence of depression among airline pilots fluctuates between 1.9% and 12.6%, a rate that contrasts with the 7.2% to 12.9% observed in the general population [4].
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.
An airline pilot can be an extremely stressful job due to the workload, responsibilities and safety of the thousands of passengers they transport around the world. Chronic levels of stress can negatively impact one's health, job performance and cognitive functioning.
An airline pilot can be an extremely stressful job due to the workload, responsibilities and safety of the thousands of passengers they transport around the world. Chronic levels of stress can negatively impact one's health, job performance and cognitive functioning.
“The ups and downs are constant, and we fly at all different times of the day,” Deitz says. “It's a stress on your body.” Takeoff and landing are the trickiest parts of a given flight, requiring all of a pilot's attention and mental energy. Heart rate increases during those windows, studies show.
For many, working as a pilot is an exciting career choice. You may enjoy working as a pilot if you enjoy flying and traveling, but there are also some elements of this profession that may not be suitable for everyone.
The FAA's regulations require airline pilots to undergo a medical exam with an Aviation Medical Examiner (AME) every six months to five years, depending on the type of flying they do and their age. Aviation Medical Examiners are trained to determine the pilot's mental health and fitness to fly.
The most important part of any career is happiness and passion for what you do which is why one of the biggest advantages of being a pilot is the major job satisfaction that comes with it.
An airline pilot can be an extremely stressful job due to the workload, responsibilities and safety of the thousands of passengers they transport around the world. Chronic levels of stress can negatively impact one's health, job performance and cognitive functioning.
The most important part of any career is happiness and passion for what you do which is why one of the biggest advantages of being a pilot is the major job satisfaction that comes with it. Commanding a plane filled with passengers and getting them safely from A to B is as satisfying as it gets.