Jocelyn Frank

And once Finlayson sort of let go of the possibility of that faster path back to his job, the fast path to that medical certificate, his health improved.

So Finlayson achieved this mental recovery, this clarity, but the path back to piloting was still extremely murky.

So Finlayson achieved this mental recovery, this clarity, but the path back to piloting was still extremely murky.

So Finlayson achieved this mental recovery, this clarity, but the path back to piloting was still extremely murky.

He was about to begin medical testing, paperwork, research, bureaucratic phone calls, all to get the FAA to decide if he could get back into the air. And it took him years, years of not flying.

He was about to begin medical testing, paperwork, research, bureaucratic phone calls, all to get the FAA to decide if he could get back into the air. And it took him years, years of not flying.

He was about to begin medical testing, paperwork, research, bureaucratic phone calls, all to get the FAA to decide if he could get back into the air. And it took him years, years of not flying.

Yeah, it's a complicated system and it can take a lot of time. Actually, Chris Finlayson had so much time away from piloting and so much time feeling frustrated as he was learning all this different information about the process. He joined a nonprofit focused on pilot mental health, trying to reform the system at the same time he's in it trying to get his own permission to fly approved.

Yeah, it's a complicated system and it can take a lot of time. Actually, Chris Finlayson had so much time away from piloting and so much time feeling frustrated as he was learning all this different information about the process. He joined a nonprofit focused on pilot mental health, trying to reform the system at the same time he's in it trying to get his own permission to fly approved.

Yeah, it's a complicated system and it can take a lot of time. Actually, Chris Finlayson had so much time away from piloting and so much time feeling frustrated as he was learning all this different information about the process. He joined a nonprofit focused on pilot mental health, trying to reform the system at the same time he's in it trying to get his own permission to fly approved.

Definitely not. In 2024, out of 150,000 commercial pilots, only about 9,000 applied. And in the end, only about 3,000 were approved. So Finlayson was hoping to be one of those 3,000. He and his doctors decided he needed to take this anti-anxiety medication long-term, which meant he was going to have to enter this longer process.

Definitely not. In 2024, out of 150,000 commercial pilots, only about 9,000 applied. And in the end, only about 3,000 were approved. So Finlayson was hoping to be one of those 3,000. He and his doctors decided he needed to take this anti-anxiety medication long-term, which meant he was going to have to enter this longer process.

Definitely not. In 2024, out of 150,000 commercial pilots, only about 9,000 applied. And in the end, only about 3,000 were approved. So Finlayson was hoping to be one of those 3,000. He and his doctors decided he needed to take this anti-anxiety medication long-term, which meant he was going to have to enter this longer process.

And it became clear it was going to be a really detailed and at times tedious process. According to the FAA, a lot of people get denied for failing to provide some specific requested information. It actually accounts for more than 75% of all denials. And from the start, Chris Finlayson was feeling that potential. He would think he'd checked a box, only to learn it was the wrong box.

And it became clear it was going to be a really detailed and at times tedious process. According to the FAA, a lot of people get denied for failing to provide some specific requested information. It actually accounts for more than 75% of all denials. And from the start, Chris Finlayson was feeling that potential. He would think he'd checked a box, only to learn it was the wrong box.

And it became clear it was going to be a really detailed and at times tedious process. According to the FAA, a lot of people get denied for failing to provide some specific requested information. It actually accounts for more than 75% of all denials. And from the start, Chris Finlayson was feeling that potential. He would think he'd checked a box, only to learn it was the wrong box.

And that took an additional month. He had to be on a stable dose for six months before beginning his application. And that switch in care meant he had to start the six-month count again. And he learned there were additional requirements.

And that took an additional month. He had to be on a stable dose for six months before beginning his application. And that switch in care meant he had to start the six-month count again. And he learned there were additional requirements.

And that took an additional month. He had to be on a stable dose for six months before beginning his application. And that switch in care meant he had to start the six-month count again. And he learned there were additional requirements.

Each of these tests has a cost and each has to be submitted to this special FAA doctor to review.