FAA Evaluations

FAA Evaluations
Dr. Cristi Salinas helps current and aspiring pilots complete required FAA testing to maintain their pilot’s license. Evaluations are completed per FAA guidelines promptly to ensure as little interruption to flight schedules as possible. Dr. Salinas understands the urgency of completing testing thoroughly and quickly to help pilots get back in the air.
Dr. Salinas is on the FAA’s designated HIMS Neuropsychology list. HIMS designated neuropsychologists have special training to test the cognitive functioning of pilots and air traffic controllers
Dr. Salinas is on the FAA’s designated HIMS Neuropsychology list. HIMS designated neuropsychologists have special training to test the cognitive functioning of pilots and air traffic controllers
What is an FAA-mandated Neuropsychological Evaluation?
What is the purpose of the Neuropsychological Evaluation?
The purpose of evaluating a pilot’s eligibility for medical certification is safety. By assessing cognition and emotional functioning, issues may pose a risk to the safety of the airman, their passengers, or the general public. Pilots have enormous responsibility and pressure on them each time they take off. Completing evaluations helps ensure everyone makes it safely back to the runway.


Why Choose Dr. Cristi Salinas
for your FAA Evaluation?
Dr. Salinas is a world-renowned neuropsychologist widely recognized as the leading expert in brain functioning. Dr. Salinas is committed to providing comprehensive, passionate care for all her clients. She fully understands the importance of an FAA Evaluation and ensures it is completed timely and accurately.
How to prepare for your FAA Evaluation
Pilots understand how vital this testing is to the future of their careers and often ask if there is any way to prepare for the evaluation. The test is set up by design to present unique situations and tasks that cannot be studied ahead of time. Dr. Salinas recommends that a good night’s sleep before testing is the best way to prepare.

FAA Evaluations FAQs
Contrary to popular belief, the FAA does not administer the HIMS program. In fact, each airline operating a HIMS program designs to their specific need. However there is an oerall collaboration in the industry.
No, HIMS is designed to help pilots who struggle with substance abuse with both alcohol and drugs, including the abuse of prescription medication.
There are typically the following steps in the program:
- Evaluation
- Inpatient treatment
- Therapy or outpatient treatment
- Aftercare and AA
- Peer and company sponsors
- Psychological evaluations
- FAA evaluation and submission
- Certification
There is no specifc timeline as each individual pilot is unique. However, it is important to note that the process should not be rushed, as the pilot’s recovery is essential to not only their well being and safety, but the public’s as well.