PAPI program: taking care of health is taking care of flight safety (and vice versa)
The results of a survey1 conducted with a sample of 388 flight crewmembers revealed that pilots more often turn to a PEER support program because they have felt that their flying skills have been impaired in order to fly safely than for other reasons, such as mental health issues. However, we in the PAPI Program know that flight safety and health are intimately related so that to take care of health is to promote flight safety (and vice versa).
During the pandemic, many commercial pilots were away from flying duties for some time, which meant a logical reduction in their skills. It is completely normal that this situation has had an impact even on the performance of procedures or teamwork. The worsening economic situation and the simulator may now generate more anxiety than usual.
The crisis caused by COVID-19 is having consequences2 on the mental health of the general population and, of course, also among all of us in aviation. It is therefore more necessary than ever for pilots to have the tools to cope with all these circumstances and to be resilient.
If you feel that, at this moment, either as a consequence of the COVID or because of fears or concerns that you already had before and that now have been increased, do not hesitate: go to PAPI. A PEER cannot solve your problem, but he/she can listen to you, understand you, accompany you and guide you and this will give you peace of mind.
To do so, simply click on this LINK, fill in the questionnaire with your name or an alias and a colleague will call you on the telephone number you have left as soon as possible. Remember that this is ABSOLUTELY CONFIDENTIAL.
About the PAPI Program
Sepla’s PAPI Program is a tool for pilots, which provides the support of specifically trained colleagues, called “PEERS”, to accompany them in times of emotional stress, whether caused by a critical situation during or after a flight, by problems of everyday life or by the consequences of a crisis such as the COVID19 pandemic.
1 Sample of 388 crew members of which 82.47% were pilots.
2 The pandemic has led to a significant deterioration in mental health in one year, with a 30 percent increase in psychology consultations (Infocop-online 17 March 2021)
