Presenter Email
Austinwalden@ksu.edu
Submission Type
Poster
Topic Area
Aviation Mental Health
Topic Area
Aviation Mental Health
Keywords
aviation, mental health, faa, stigma, flight instructors, flight students, part 141
Abstract
This study explores the attitudes towards mental health within the aviation community, focusing on the perspectives of flight instructors and flight students within a university based part 141 program. Mental health is a critical aspect of aviation safety, yet recent airline incidents have brought the public’s focus on how the FAA deals, or doesn’t deal with mental health. Younger generations of pilots have been brought up with the idea that mental health is something to openly talk about. This comes at a stark contrast to how the FAA works.
The research employs a mixed-methods approach, combining surveys and interviews to gather comprehensive data on the attitudes university flight students have on the FAA, their mental health policy, and the aviation medical system.
The research hopes to explore the dichotomy between policy and real world behavior and examine distinct patterns in the perception of mental health between university flight instructors and students. Flight instructors, often considered authority figures, may exhibit different attitudes towards mental health compared to their students. Specifically, encouraging their students to not report mental health issues for feral of reprisal from the FAA. Understanding why these attitudes exist is crucial for fostering a supportive and safe learning environment. Qualitative insights from interviews provide depth to the quantitative findings, shedding light on the factors influencing mental health attitudes within aviation education.
The study identifies potential barriers to open communication about mental health and explores strategies to overcome these challenges. Recommendations for targeted interventions, training programs, and policy changes are proposed to enhance mental health awareness and support within the aviation education context. This research contributes valuable insights to the broader discourse on mental health in aviation education, emphasizing the importance of addressing the unique dynamics between flight instructors and collegiate flight students for the overall well-being of the aviation community.
Clear Skies, Clear Minds: Navigating Mental Health Attitudes in Collegiate Aviation Education
This study explores the attitudes towards mental health within the aviation community, focusing on the perspectives of flight instructors and flight students within a university based part 141 program. Mental health is a critical aspect of aviation safety, yet recent airline incidents have brought the public’s focus on how the FAA deals, or doesn’t deal with mental health. Younger generations of pilots have been brought up with the idea that mental health is something to openly talk about. This comes at a stark contrast to how the FAA works.
The research employs a mixed-methods approach, combining surveys and interviews to gather comprehensive data on the attitudes university flight students have on the FAA, their mental health policy, and the aviation medical system.
The research hopes to explore the dichotomy between policy and real world behavior and examine distinct patterns in the perception of mental health between university flight instructors and students. Flight instructors, often considered authority figures, may exhibit different attitudes towards mental health compared to their students. Specifically, encouraging their students to not report mental health issues for feral of reprisal from the FAA. Understanding why these attitudes exist is crucial for fostering a supportive and safe learning environment. Qualitative insights from interviews provide depth to the quantitative findings, shedding light on the factors influencing mental health attitudes within aviation education.
The study identifies potential barriers to open communication about mental health and explores strategies to overcome these challenges. Recommendations for targeted interventions, training programs, and policy changes are proposed to enhance mental health awareness and support within the aviation education context. This research contributes valuable insights to the broader discourse on mental health in aviation education, emphasizing the importance of addressing the unique dynamics between flight instructors and collegiate flight students for the overall well-being of the aviation community.
