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The general aviation sector is failing its employees on mental health, a new survey has revealed.
The first National General Aviation (GA) Culture and Wellbeing Survey, conducted by Navigating Aviation, found 76 per cent of current GA workers are concerned about mental health issues in the industry and 59 per cent believe there is a “culture of silence” preventing them from speaking up.
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More than half of GA workers (53 per cent) say that the industry has had a negative effect on their mental health, with 70 per cent worried that seeking help would impact their careers.
According to the report, the GA sector as a whole is “not managing mental health challenges as well as it could or should be”.
“With an increasing shortage of qualified workers across the sector, it’s imperative that the mental health of workers is actively considered to ensure safe and sustainable GA operations into the future,” the report read.
“While many across the sector are thriving, our results suggest those experiencing mental health challenges are not encouraged to either raise this with their employer or to engage in support they may need for fear of impacting their career and livelihood.
“This likely further compounds the stress and isolation these workers experience and negatively impacts the risk profile of their respective workplaces.”
The problem is particularly bad among younger workers (ages 19 to 39), who say they have, on average, felt stressed 57 per cent of the time over the past 12 months, compared to 35 per cent of the time for workers aged 40 and up.
“While workers aged 40 and older are more likely to feel confident, satisfied with their work, motivated or appreciated compared to their counterparts, those aged under 40 years old are more likely to feel stressed, burnt out, feeling not heard or valued, anxious, depressed and unsafe indicating that they may require more support at this point in their careers,” the report read.
“Given the projected shortfalls in aviation workers over coming years, it’s imperative that those young people that do choose an aviation career are appropriate looked after and supported during their formative years in the sector.
“While business owners or managers may consider treating younger staff in the same manner they were treated when entering the sector a generation (or longer) ago, there is a need to ensure an awareness and understanding of the needs and expectations of these younger industry entrants.”
Angela Garvey, founder and director of Navigating Aviation, said the survey aimed to “advocate for change in the management of and attitude toward culture and mental health challenges in GA from the grassroots up”.
“Historically, mental health and wellbeing initiatives in aviation have been driven from the top down, with much of the focus placed on the airline sector,” she said.
“This has often meant the needs of General Aviation have been overlooked, despite its pivotal role as the foundation of the industry and the starting point for many aviation careers.
“People across a wide range of roles, such as flight training, engineering, maintenance, operations, and management, often begin in GA before moving into more senior positions, including within the airlines.”
The opt-in study hosted independently by Bastion Insights sampled 411 people, including current and former general aviation workers, with a 15-minute online survey.
“To achieve a reasonable response to the survey, Navigating Aviation partnered with several GA peak bodies, membership organisations and media businesses to promote the study and encourage current and previous GA workers to participate,” the report read.
Industry stakeholders, including the Australian Transport Safety Bureau, the Regional Aviation Association of Australia, the General Aviation Advisory Network, and the Civil Aviation Safety Authority, have all been briefed on the results.
