FAA Psychiatry Services for Pilots and Aviation Professionals
FAA HIMS Aviation Psychiatry is a specialized area of aviation psychiatry focused on providing psychiatric evaluations for pilots and other aviation professionals as part of the FAA medical certification process.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) may require an FAA mental health evaluation or psychiatric evaluation when additional information is needed about a pilot’s mental health history, treatment, medication use, or current functioning. These evaluations provide the FAA with objective clinical information to support medical certification decisions.
Dr. Alessio Luinetti, MD is a board-certified psychiatrist and HIMS-trained psychiatrist who provides FAA psychiatry services for pilots and aviation professionals.
What Is FAA HIMS Aviation Psychiatry?
Depending on an individual’s circumstances, the FAA may request a psychiatric evaluation from a board-certified psychiatrist or a psychiatrist with additional Human Intervention Motivation Study (HIMS) training.
FAA HIMS Psychiatry focuses on providing objective psychiatric evaluations that help the FAA better understand an individual’s mental health history, current functioning, diagnosis, treatment, and other factors relevant to aviation safety.
Who May Need an FAA Mental Health Evaluation?
The FAA may request a psychiatric evaluation for a variety of reasons, including:
- A history of depression, anxiety, PTSD, ADHD, bipolar disorder, or other mental health conditions
- Previous psychiatric treatment or hospitalization
- Questions related to psychiatric medications
- Substance use concerns or participation in the HIMS program
- Other circumstances identified during the FAA medical certification process
Every FAA evaluation is different. The information requested by the FAA depends on an individual’s medical history and circumstances.
What the Evaluation Process Looks Like
Each evaluation is tailored to the FAA’s request and the individual’s circumstances. Depending on the reason for the evaluation, the process may include:
- Review of relevant medical and psychiatric records
- Review of previous mental health treatment and hospitalizations, when applicable
- Review of current and past psychiatric medications
- Comprehensive clinical interview
- Review of medical, psychiatric, and aviation history
- Mental status examination
- Assessment of current functioning
- Coordination with your Aviation Medical Examiner (AME) or other healthcare providers, when appropriate and with your permission
- Preparation of a comprehensive report consistent with FAA requirements
The purpose of the evaluation is to provide the FAA with an objective psychiatric assessment and documentation consistent with FAA requirements.
Preparing for Your Evaluation
Depending on your circumstances, you may be asked to provide medical records, prior psychiatric records, medication history, or other documentation before your appointment. This may include records from previous mental health providers, hospitalizations, or other treating clinicians.
Our team will let you know what information is needed based on your specific FAA request before your appointment.
About Dr. Alessio Luinetti, MD
Dr. Luinetti is a board-certified psychiatrist who provides FAA psychiatric evaluations for pilots and aviation professionals. Earlier in his career, he served in military psychiatry, including as Medical Director of the Mental Health Clinic at the U.S. Air Force Academy. He has completed HIMS training and is familiar with FAA documentation, aviation standards, and the requirements for FAA psychiatric evaluations.
Whether you’re looking for an FAA psychiatrist, aviation psychiatrist, or HIMS psychiatrist, Dr. Luinetti provides objective psychiatric evaluations consistent with FAA requirements.
Move Forward with Confidence
If you’ve been asked to complete an FAA psychiatric evaluation, contact us to learn more about the evaluation process or schedule a consultation with Dr. Luinetti.
