Psychiatric disorders as they relate to aviation: the problem in perspective

The major causes of licence loss among pilots during 1965-81 are discussed in relation to the effect of recent changes in licensing practices, such as permission to use beta-blockers. Mental disorders comprised the second highest cause of licence loss during 1965-77 (13.0%) and remained at a high level during 1977-81 (14.7%). The age-related incidences of alcoholism, psychoses and neuroses, and idiopathic and reactive flight phobia are detailed.