1. United States
2. N.C.
3. Letter

​I am writing to urge you to support the Pilot Mental Health Campaign (PMHC) and legislative efforts to reform the FAA's outdated policies regarding mental health. I was inspired to write after learning about this issue from advocates like pilot Xyla Foxlyn. ​The FAA's current regulations, which can require pilots to choose between seeking mental health care and risking the immediate loss of their medical certification, are dangerously counter-productive. These policies do not make our skies safer. Instead, they create a culture of silence and fear, incentivizing pilots to hide common, treatable conditions like depression or anxiety. ​Public safety is paramount, and the current system undermines it. A pilot who is afraid to tell a doctor they are struggling is a greater risk than a pilot who is actively and successfully managing their health with medical supervision. ​Entry-level (AASI) certification is the minimum needed to teach snowboarding. ​This issue is personal to me. As someone who understands the importance of being able to seek help for mental health, I believe it is unconscionable to force an entire profession to choose between their health and their livelihood. ​Modern medicine allows for the safe management of mental health. The FAA's policies must be updated to reflect this. We need common-sense reforms that allow pilots to seek care, get treatment, and be evaluated by medical professionals on their actual fitness to fly, rather than punishing them for seeking help in the first place. ​North Carolina has a significant stake in the aviation industry, and this reform is critical for supporting the well-being of our pilots and ensuring the safety of the flying public. ​I ask you to please support the PMHC and any legislation that modernizes FAA mental health standards. ​Thank you for your time and for your service to North Carolina.