US: Pilot examiners get more mental health training after Germanwings crash

Medical examiners who evaluate airline pilots have received more training in detecting mental health problems, US regulators said Thursday, after reviewing procedures in the wake of last year's deadly Germanwings crash caused by a co-pilot who suffered from severe depression. The FAA stopped short of calling for formal psychological tests on pilots. That step was recommended for new pilots in Europe after the March 2015 incident, in which a Germanwings plane crashed into the French Alps, killing all 150 people on board. The FAA said it will help airlines and unions expand support networks for pilots such as confidential hotlines, and integrate these into airlines' safety management programs. The decisions, which followed recommendations by a government-industry task force, underscore the challenge of making pilots feel comfortable disclosing health issues, despite risking a required medical leave or an end to their careers. "While some conditions automatically disqualify someone from flying, many pilots have treatable conditions," FAA Administrator Michael Huerta said. "We need to do more to remove the stigma surrounding mental illness in the aviation industry so pilots are more likely to self-report, get treated, and return to work." The FAA prohibits pilots from flying if they have bipolar disorder, severe personality disorder or certain other conditions. The regulator said that it started extra training on mental health in January for medical examiners, who are designated to evaluate pilots' fitness every six to 12 months.<br/>