Pilot Mental Health Campaign
Cleared For Takeoff
Imagine your mental health being at its lowest, but knowing that seeking help would mean losing your career forever. Would you choose to be healthy and happy again or to retain the only thing that keeps a roof over your head and food on your table?
This impossible decision is the reality for every pilot in the United States. Due to the FAA's antiquated laws, seeking a formal diagnosis or treatment for a mental health struggle can cause a pilot to lose their clearance to legally fly. As a result, aviators are left to either suffer in silence or self-medicate with substances like alcohol. The concept of "lie to fly" has been an open secret among pilots for decades, and for the health and safety of pilots and airline passengers alike, something needs to change.
-
What PMHC does:
PMHC is a nonprofit founded by a grassroots group of aviators who have decided that enough is enough. Together, we drafted the Mental Health in Aviation Act (MHAA), a bill that would require the FAA to re-examine its archaic rules surrounding pilot mental health to make flying safer for everyone. It was introduced to the US House of Representatives in April 2025 by Rep. Sean Casten of Illinois, where it accrued 43 cosponsors from representatives across both sides of the aisle. We are thrilled to announce that the MHAA passed the House on September 8th, 2025.
-
The fight isn't over yet.
The MHAA is expected to be introduced to the Senate in fall of 2025, and we need your help to push it through to the finish line. We've partnered with YouTube personality, pilot, and proud PMHC member Xyla Foxlin to create the "Cleared for Take Off" fundraiser. To celebrate finally being cleared to fly again after losing her medical certificate in 2024, all of the profits from this event will go toward lobbying the Senate in January, with the goal of raising $75,000. Rewards for each donation tier are listed below.
Fundraising Tiers
To show our gratitude, we have rewards for each donation tier:
- $10 - Our unending gratitude for your generosity!
- $25 - All previous rewards + sticker
- $50 - All previous rewards + mug
- $100 - All previous rewards + tote bag
- $500 - All previous rewards + framed poster
The "Cleared for Takeoff" design is a celebration of YouTube personality and aviator Xyla Foxlin's return to flight. Xyla, who lost her medical certificate in 2024, is an invaluable member of the Pilot Mental Health Campaign who has used her platform to advocate for FAA reform despite the risk it posed to her appeal being approved. She was re-authorized to fly through a Special Issuance Medical Certificate in October 2025, but Xyla continues to fight with us in name of every other pilot who still can't fly.
This design was generously made by Jason Levesque, who donated hours of his free time to create the art for all of the reward items.
If you can't donate, don't worry - you can still help! Spreading the word about our fundraiser and calling your senator are both deeply impactful and cost-free ways you can help us garner support and visibility. Whether you're an advocate or a donor, thank you for supporting our fight for safer skies.