FAA Response Highlights Systemic Issues in HIMS Program
In a significant development, one of our coalition members — a veteran airline pilot whose story we have highlighted — has received a formal response from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). The communication underscores persistent flaws in the HIMS program and raises serious concerns about fairness, due process, and evidence-based decision making.
Key Findings from the FAA’s Response
- Reclassification of prior diagnoses: All previous diagnoses, including PTSD and Alcohol Substance Abuse, were labeled “status unclear.”
- New diagnoses despite contrary evidence:
- Opiate addiction — based solely on a single false-positive drug test, despite documented poppy-seed ingestion and nine months of subsequent negative tests.
- Undiagnosed cognitive disorder — asserted despite favorable evaluations from both a neuropsychologist and a neurologist indicating no impairment.
- Redundant requirements: Despite a full year of documented sobriety and prior completion of required evaluations, the pilot is being directed to repeat the entire HIMS protocol, including:
- Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP)
- Neuropsychological evaluation
- Cognitive testing
- Visit with an FAA psychiatrist
- Therapy directive ignores existing care: The letter instructs the pilot to begin monthly psychotherapy, overlooking years of ongoing treatment already documented.
- Process concerns: The redundancies raise questions about whether the reviewer thoroughly examined the complete file, pointing to potential oversights or inefficiencies.
Why This Matters
This response highlights critical defects within the current HIMS framework: reliance on isolated test results; dismissal of independent expert opinions; duplicative, costly requirements; and apparent lapses in file review. Requiring pilots to repeat evaluations they have already satisfied undermines transparency and fairness and reinforces the urgent need for a science-based, accountable alternative.
Pilots for HIMS Reform will continue to advocate for evidence-driven standards that respect pilots’ rights and mental health, streamline case reviews, and eliminate unnecessary burdens.