Pilots are keenly aware about physical issues that might ground them from flying, including vision problems, cancer, and heart trouble. But mental and emotional issues can also cause problems if brought onto the flight deck. One of them is grief—the human response to losing someone or something we cherish. But even though they’re often unwilling to admit they need help coping with grief, pilots don’t have to do it alone.

Participants:

• Rob Finfrock, aviation writer
• Greg Farley, Senior Global Captain for Deere & Company Aviation Services and chairman of the Fitness for Duty Working Group of the National Business Aviation Association Safety Committee
• Bert Botta, corporate pilot, formerly Professional Standards Committee chairman for TWA’s chapter of the Air Line Pilots Association, or ALPA
• David Miller, director and co-founder of the Citation Jet Pilots Association and chairman of the group’s Safety and Education Foundation