What kinds of psychiatric illnesses do they screen for before allowing you to be a pilot?

Schizo/ Bipolar: As evidence presented at 9/11 it is important to screen pilots who could use the airplanes as weapons against civil targets. Schizophrenics who hear voices giving them orders, or bipolars or depressed pts.Who want to kill themselves or in a maniac phase decide to do risky maneuvers. The physical also includes cardiac evaluation to prevent heart attacks during flying.

Few: For a private pilot, there are very few true screening tests for psychiatric illnesses. The screening usually takes place during the general medical examination as there is no special psychiatric examination for a private pilot license.

All: Go faa.Gov and work your way to table 47 where it is all laid out.Faa home » offices » aviation safety » offices » aerospace medicine » aviation medical examiner (ame) information » guide for aviation medical examiners » application process » exam techniques » guide for aviation medical examiners print decision considerations - aerospace medical dispositions item 47. Psychiatric conditions - psychit takes a little while to work your way through the site to get there. Follow all of the directions as noted above and you will eventually get to item 47 which will include the total table of things that they look for. Best wishes.