Depressed pilots can take medication while flying beginning tomorrow

Under a new rule taking effect tomorrow depressed pilots will be allowed to take antidepressants while on the job.

Currently the FAA bans pilots from taking antidepressants while flying aircraft, but as of tomorrow, those who come forward and claim to be in need of them will be allowed to take them while flying.

For 70 years now pilots battling depression have had to do so in silence to fear losing their licenses if it was found out that they were medicating while in the pilot seat.

“Our concern is that they haven’t necessarily been candid,” Federal Aviation Administrator Randy Babbitt told reporters in a conference call.

Pilots will be allowed to take one of four medications; Prozac, Zoloft, Celexa or Lexapro.

“We need to change the culture and remove the stigma associated with depression,” Babbitt said. “Pilots should be able to get the medical treatment they need so they can safely perform their duties.”

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