The Evaluation of Traumatic Brain Injury: A Call to Action

INTRODUCTION: The flying status of commercial pilots with traumatic brain injury should not be based solely upon physical examination and imaging. Weaknesses exist in all neurocognitive assessment as the relationship of results to real-world performance, in this case piloting an airplane, can be best described as moderate. There is the possibility that a pilot's ability to fly safely might be better evaluated by check rides with an instructor pilot in flight and in simulators. Research in this area is needed.Hastings J.