In the summer of 2020 and the COVID-19 emergency measures, then-Federal Air Surgeon Dr. Michael Berry issued a memo that allowed first-time virtual visits for pilots who needed aviation psychiatric assessments. At the time, air travel options were shrinking around the country and no COVID-19 vaccine was widely available.
As early as April 2021, the FAA’s medical staff started guiding the aviation psychiatrists that in-person assessments were still the gold standard and were the preferred assessment technique for pilots. The instructions to us, however, were oral and given during academic conferences.
In subsequent meetings, the FAA’s guidance grew more specific and still unwavering that an in-person assessment remained the gold-standard for an initial aviation psychiatric assessment.
On January 22, 2025, Dr. Penny Giovanetti, Director of the Medical Specialties Division, issued a memo that formally withdraws permission for first-time aviation psychiatric assessments to be performed virtually.
A few key points:
- Exceptions to the policy remain, but first must be approved by AAM-200.
- All neuropsychological testing has to be done in-person, too.
- Return visits may be allowed by video conference.
- An audio-only/phone return visit is not allowed.