A longitudinal study on the alteration of consumer perceptions and the use of pilot medication. (March 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Winter, Scott R.; Rice, Stephen; Rains, Taylor; Milner, Mattie; Mehta, Rian
• Is Part Of: Journal of air transport management. Volume 59(2017)
• Page Start: 100
• Page End: 106
• Publication Date: 2017-03
• Subjects: Stigmas -- Affect -- Antidepressants -- Aviation -- Pilots -- Willingness to fly; Airlines -- Management -- Periodicals; Aeronautics, Commercial -- Management -- Periodicals; 387.7068
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jairtraman.2016.12.004
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0969-6997

Abstract

Abstract: In 2010, the United States' Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) approved the use of four antidepressant medications that could be prescribed to pilots on active flight duty, provided the pilot adhered to detailed policies and protocols. These medications were praised by many in the aviation community who were concerned with pilots underreporting mental health issues or engaging in self-medication. The purpose of this study was to complete a follow-up to a study, initially conducted prior to a 2015 Germanwings accident where a European commercial airliner crashed in an alleged case of pilot suicide. In the previous study, consumers were asked their willingness to fly when their pilot was taking various medications (fluoxetine, loratadine, ibuprofen or clonidine); and the findings suggest that the fluoxetine condition produces the lowest willingness to fly scores. The current study was replicated longitudinally in the weeks following the Germanwings accident. The findings of the current study reveal a significant drop in willingness to fly scores for the fluoxetine condition immediately after the accident; however, there is no significant change to the other medications. After 12-weeks, the fluoxetine condition returns to its pre-accident levels. Highlights: Consumers were asked their willingness to fly when the pilot of their hypothetical flight was taking various medications. Data was collected two weeks before and in the weeks following a major airline accident allegedly from pilot suicide. Results indicate significant decrease in willingness to fly in the anti-depressant medication condition after the accident. The willingness to fly ratings return to their pre-accident levels approximately 12 weeks after the accident.