Practical Support & Resources for Aviation Professionals

A smiling woman in a sweater wearing a helicopter pilot headset, sitting in a helicopter cockpit during daytime.

📚 Books & Authors

The Inner Game of Stress – Timothy Gallwey
Helps professionals perform under pressure using mindset and self-awareness strategies.

Why We Sleep – Matthew Walker
Essential reading on sleep science—especially valuable for pilots dealing with irregular schedules and jet lag.

The Chimp Paradox – Dr. Steve Peters
Explains how our inner emotional responses (the “chimp”) can impact decisions. Great for managing in-flight reactions and stress.

Emotional Intelligence – Daniel Goleman
Developing emotional intelligence helps with communication, crew dynamics, and leadership under pressure.

Atomic Habits – James Clear
Practical tools for building small, sustainable habits that support wellbeing and performance.

Rewire Your Anxious Brain – Catherine Pittman & Elizabeth Karle
Helps understand how anxiety works in the brain and how to calm it – very relevant to flying anxiety, even for professionals.

🌐 Websites, Organisations and Apps

Balpa – British Airline Pilots’ Association
Has a dedicated section on pilot health and wellbeing, including fatigue, mental health, and peer support.

The Centre for Aviation Psychology
Resources and consultancy focused on mental health in aviation, especially for flight crew and leadership.

The Mindfulness App
Great tools for meditation, sleep help, and quick breathing exercises before or after flying.

Mind
Mental health charity offering resources, information, and helplines.

Nugget Mental Health Video from Filmbilder and Friends on YT (credits on the video itself)

🎧 Podcasts

Pilot to Pilot
Real stories and experiences from pilots, including mental health discussions.

The Mindful Aviator
Focuses on mental fitness, aviation stress, and resilience.

Ready for Takeoff – Aviation Podcast
Stories and tips from aviation professionals. Occasionally touches on stress, safety, and lifestyle balance.

The Pilot Network Podcast
Although more career and industry focused, episodes often feature wellbeing topics like fatigue, resilience, and support culture.

Aviatrix Book Club Podcast
Female-focused aviation discussion that often explores mental strength and motivation.

Johan Hari has a number of books, talks, and podcasts around mental health and addiction

Substance Misuse & Recovery Specific

Books

  • The Unexpected Joy of Being Sober by Catherine Gray
    A highly relatable, non-preachy account of quitting drinking and what comes after.

  • Alcohol Explained by William Porter
    A practical, science-based breakdown of alcohol’s effects on the body and mind

Podcasts

  • This Naked Mind by Annie Grace
    Focuses on changing your mindset around alcohol and challenging beliefs tied to social norms and habits.

  • Alcohol-Free Life with Janey Lee Grace
    Focuses on wellbeing and alcohol-free living with expert guests and real stories.

Websites

  • SMART Recovery UK
    Science-based recovery support focused on building coping skills. Aviation-specific meetings available via Cassie Kane.

  • Drinkaware
    UK-based education and self-assessment tools on drinking habits, impact, and change.

  • Club Soda
    For those looking to reduce or quit drinking; includes courses, events, and community support.

Calliese from the Recovery Coach Academy explains about recovery and growth.