Is information about pilot’s alcohol abuse made public?
No. Pilots must be assured that their treatment information is held in strictest confidence. Medical record keeping is left to the medical professionals directly involved in the individual case where privileged communication is legally protected. There is no label identifying a participating pilot. Q: How does the program work? A: After an initial intervention, the pilot takes a medical leave of absence and undergoes evaluation and a minimum of 28 days in an inpatient treatment program. An intensive outpatient treatment program follows. Generally, the pilot must complete 90 days of therapy, including daily participation in Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) with the required assistance of an AA sponsor, as well as a pilot peer and company sponsor. The pilot also must take psychological tests. A senior aviation medical examiner acts as an independent medical sponsor, participates in the pilot’s aftercare program and meets regularly with the pilot. A trained peer pilot also supports the recoverin
