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About HIMS
Use of this Website This website has been assembled under the HIMS Program Grant for the use of individuals, families and friends of professional pilots. It is arranged in Sections covering the topic of chemical dependency and with the intention of informing the inquiring person about this disease and how it can be successfully dealt with in the unique work environment of the airline pilot. Each section is intended to “stand alone” regarding its subject matter, but the website “flows” in a temporal fashion leading to eventual return to work of the afflicted individual. The information listed there is purely voluntary for each property and will be maintained by that organization. Alcoholism and other chemical dependencies are now recognized as part of a disease process that is far beyond the control of the individual. This disease affects commercial pilots at no less a rate than the general population. The HIMS program was established to provide a system whereby afflicted individuals are treated and successfully returned to the cockpit under the FAA Special Issuance Regulations (14 CFR 67.401). The program is a cooperative one that includes involvement of company representatives, pilot union peer volunteers, treatment professionals and FAA Aviation Medical Examiners. While the program borrows heavily from treatment principles developed in both clinical and industrial settings, it has specific elements that reflect the unique nature of the safety-sensitive airline transport system in North America (an equally successful sister program exists in Canada as well). In the 1970's, HIMS (Human Intervention Motivation Study) grew out of a grant that created an alliance between the National Institute for Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA), a federal agency, and the Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA), a labor union, to test a program for dealing with alcoholism among the airline pilot population. Several factors prompted development of a pilot specific model. The commercial aviation environment is not well suited for a traditional on-the-job supervisory program. It was assumed that a pilot's ability to function effectively was best observed by other pilots. Accordingly, a peer identification and referral system seemed best suited in developing a pilot-centered, confidential, participatory program. Given the sensitive nature of a pilot's responsibilities and the interrelationship between medical and technical performance standards, it was apparent that involvement of the airline, FAA and pilot union was essential to the success of the program. Since its inception, over 3,500 professional pilots have been successfully rehabilitated and returned to their careers. Simply put, the HIMS program charter is to save lives and careers while maintaining flight safety. The HIMS concept is based on a cooperative and mutually supportive relationship between pilots, their management and the FAA. Trained managers and peer pilots interact to identify and, in many cases, conduct an intervention to direct the troubled individual to a substance abuse professional for a diagnostic evaluation. If deemed medically necessary, treatment is then initiated. Following successful treatment and comprehensive continuing care, the pilot is eligible to seek FAA medical re-certification. The FAA requires the pilot to be evaluated by a specially trained FAA Aviation Medical Examiner (AME) who then acts as the medical sponsor to coordinate the FAA re-certification process. The sponsor oversees monitored (at least monthly) interviews by a trained flight manager and pilot peer committee member, as well as periodic follow-up observations. Because of the relapsing nature of chemical dependency, the monitoring will typically continue for many months after the pilot resumes his duties. The system is designed to assure that the pilot maintains abstinence and flight safety is protected. |
