PILOT Act
The PILOT Act (Preventing and Identifying Lasting Operational TBI Act) would require the Secretary of Defense to submit to Congress, within 180 days after enactment, a report evaluating traumatic brain injuries (TBI) among active-duty pilots. The report would assess whether and to what extent pilots suffer TBIs from the cumulative effects of high-speed flight maneuvers, aircraft carrier catapult launches, and other repetitive actions that may harm brain health. It would also include (1) results of the study, (2) a summary of current DoD policies for identifying, documenting, and treating TBIs in pilots (across mild, moderate, and severe cases), (3) a strategy to improve identification, documentation, and treatment of TBIs among pilots, and (4) Secretary of Defense recommendations on potential regulatory or legislative actions to address challenges in identifying, documenting, and treating TBIs in this population.
Key Points
- 1A report deadline: Not later than 180 days after enactment, submitted to the congressional defense committees.
- 2Focus area: Traumatic brain injuries among active-duty pilots arising from cumulative exposure to high-speed maneuvers, catapult launches, and similar repetitive actions.
- 3Policy review: Includes a summary of existing DoD policies/procedures for identifying, documenting, and treating TBIs among pilots (covering mild, moderate, and severe TBIs).
- 4Improvement strategy: Requires a clear strategy to better identify, document, and treat TBIs in pilots.
- 5Recommendations: Calls for the Secretary’s recommendations on possible regulatory and legislative actions to address challenges in identifying, documenting, and treating TBIs among pilots.