EASA puts forward new rules for air operations to include pilots' mental fitness

EASA published (09-Dec-2016) an official opinion on new operational rules to better support pilot mental fitness and made a set of proposals to the European Commission as part of its action plan following the Germanwings Flight 9525 accident. The proposals include the following new requirements:

• Ensuring that all pilots have access to a support programme;
• Mandating airlines to perform a psychological assessment of pilots before the start of employment;
• Introducing systematic drug and alcohol testing of flight and cabin crew upon employment, after a serious incident or accident, with due cause (i.e. following reasonable suspicion);
• Unannounced drug and alcohol testing after rehabilitation and return to work;
• As an additional safety barrier for airlines which are not already subject to a national programme for psychoactive substance testing: mandatory random alcohol screening of flight and cabin crew within the EU RAMP inspection programme.

These requirements are contained in the so-called Air OPS Implementing Rules. The proposed rules have been subject to consultation with all stakeholders concerned. As part of a total system approach, they complement the proposals EASA issued in Aug-2016, on the update of medical requirements for pilots (Part-MED). [more - original PR]