The Flight Shrink Kevin Heacock MD
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Aerospace Psychiatry

Mental Health Built for the Cockpit

The Flight Shrink is a clinical practice devoted to pilots, aircrew, and aviation professionals who need thoughtful, FAA-savvy mental health care. General psychiatry services are also provided to other high-performing professionals.

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Practice Kevin Heacock MD - The Flight Shrink
Focus Aviation/Professional mental health + HIMS evaluations

How I Can Help:

  • Medication management and therapy for pilots and other professionals
  • HIMS psychiatry evaluations for FAA special issuance
  • Consulting for pilots returning to duty
  • Education for aviation medical decision-makers
Telehealth availability Evidence-based care

About

Kevin Heacock MD

Kevin Heacock MD is a flight surgeon and board-certified psychiatrist based near Dayton, Ohio. He helps adults navigate stress, anxiety, depression, burnout, sleep problems, and performance issues with a practical, structured approach that aims to be both supportive and efficient. Many patients appreciate his ability to translate complex mental health topics into clear, actionable next steps.

Dr. Heacock has served as the Neuropsychiatry Branch Chief and Aerospace Medicine Branch Chief at the U.S. Air Force School of Aerospace Medicine and is an Assistant Professor in Wright State University’s Boonshoft School of Medicine Psychiatry Residency Program. He earned his MD from Penn State College of Medicine (2005), completed an internal medicine internship at Lankenau Medical Center (2006), and trained in psychiatry at Wright State University (2013). His career has included leadership roles in aerospace psychiatry and operational medicine, including overseas service as a flight surgeon.

In addition to clinical work, Dr. Heacock has extensive experience in high-stakes evaluation and risk assessment. He has served as a consultant for NASA astronaut selection, performing psychiatric assessments of top astronaut applicants for the 2021 and 2025 Astronaut Candidate classes. He also presents nationally and internationally on aviation/professional mental health and return-to-flying decision-making after psychiatric illness.

If you’re looking for a psychiatrist who is calm, thorough, and direct, Dr. Heacock is known for a collaborative style that respects your time and your goals.

Kevin Heacock MD

Credentials

  • USAF flight surgeon and board-certified psychiatrist
  • Former Neuropsychiatry Branch Chief, USAF School of Aerospace Medicine
  • Former Aerospace Medicine Branch Chief, USAF School of Aerospace Medicine
  • Assistant Professor, Wright State University Boonshoft School of Medicine
  • Consultant for NASA Astronaut Candidate selection (2021, 2025)

Services

Medication management

Evaluation and ongoing management for mood, anxiety, trauma, and attention concerns, with careful attention to FAA considerations when applicable.

Therapy appointments

Evidence-based psychotherapy with a practical, performance-focused lens. Sessions can be tailored to aviation stressors and career pressures.

Return-to-flying planning

Structured follow-up and readiness planning for stabilized patients who want a clear, compliant path forward.

Consulting + education

Briefings for aviation organizations on mental health trends, policy impact, and strategies to support crew wellbeing.

FAA and HIMS psychiatric evaluations

The Flight Shrink provides psychiatric evaluations for pilots and air traffic control specialists addressing FAA aeromedical requirements. Kevin Heacock MD is a board-certified psychiatrist and flight surgeon based near Dayton, Ohio.

Start with a brief inquiry about the evaluation being requested. We will review whether the service fits the request and confirm location, availability, and next steps before booking.

Ask About an Evaluation Call 937-234-7566

Email: kevinheacockmd@flightshrink.com

What the evaluation involves

A full psychiatric evaluation service includes records review, an in-person psychiatric evaluation, a written report, and related coordination. The required records and assessment depend on the FAA request and the circumstances. Appointment arrangements and applicable requirements are confirmed before scheduling.

The evaluation supplies an independent clinical opinion for the aeromedical process. It does not guarantee a favorable report, medical certificate, special issuance, or medical clearance. It does not establish an ongoing treatment relationship unless a separate written treatment agreement is made.

The consent explains how evaluation information may be shared with the FAA, the referring AME or HIMS AME, and other authorized professionals involved in the process.

What to include in your first message

Provide your role, state or general location, a brief description of the evaluation requested, and any deadline. If you are a referring professional, identify your professional role and contact information.

Please leave out dates of birth, identification numbers, detailed health histories, and medical-record attachments in the introductory message. Ask for the appropriate document-delivery instructions before sending records.

How the process works

  1. Send a general inquiry with your aviation role, state or general location, a brief description of the requested evaluation, and any deadline.
  2. The Flight Shrink reviews the request and discusses the appropriate consultation and next step.
  3. Review the written consent, scope, payment terms, and information-release arrangements before proceeding.
  4. Obtain the requested FAA and clinical records using the document-delivery instructions provided for your case.
  5. After records review, The Flight Shrink typically provides a summary of your case, explains why the FAA is requiring a psychiatric evaluation, and outlines what the evaluation will attempt to address. Depending on the FAA request and your circumstances, this may include establishing or clarifying a diagnosis, assessing stability, and making recommendations to support continued stability.
  6. Confirm any remaining information needed and the evaluation arrangements. Complete the evaluation, followed by report preparation and agreed coordination. Discuss an estimated schedule once the required information and scope are clear.

FAA file retrieval, outstanding records, and additional information requests can affect the schedule. Tell The Flight Shrink about a deadline at the initial inquiry.

Consultation and evaluation fees

Service or payment optionCurrent consent fee
Written email consultation$90
Thirty-minute phone or video consultation$250
Record Review$1,750
Evaluation$1,750
Report Writing$1,750
Upfront full-service psychiatric evaluation, including consultation$4,500 total
Remaining upfront balance after a paid $250 consultation$4,250

The $90 written consultation is credited toward the $250 phone or video consultation if you proceed. The $250 consultation is credited toward records review or the upfront full-service package. Credits reduce the remaining amount due; the same consultation is not charged twice.

When services are paid for separately, the $250 consultation is credited toward the $1,750 Record Review fee, leaving $1,500 for that stage. Evaluation and Report Writing are each $1,750. The upfront full-service package is priced separately as shown above.

Unusually extensive records, collateral contacts, addenda, FAA follow-up responses, or supplemental report writing may require additional work at $500 per hour with advance notice. Full payment, credit, and refund terms are provided in the consent. Existing written fee agreements remain in place.

These administrative evaluation services are self-pay under the consent provided by The Flight Shrink. Confirm the scope and applicable terms before payment, including any separate evaluations or testing requested from other professionals.

Information for referring professionals

AMEs, HIMS AMEs, and other aviation medical professionals can contact The Flight Shrink about a potential evaluation. Begin with the general request, the individual’s location, and any deadline. The individual may also contact The Flight Shrink directly.

A psychiatric evaluation and report are distinct from the AME’s examination and monitoring role. For air traffic control specialists, the applicable FAA medical contact and requested clearance documentation should be identified when the request is reviewed.

Download AME Referral Guide Ask About an Evaluation

Newsletter + Podcast

The Flight Shrink newsletter and podcast cover Aviation/Professional mental health, FAA updates, and practical guidance for pilots and families.

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Archive

The newsletter archive is hosted on Substack.

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Contact

Ready to discuss care, a HIMS evaluation, or a consultation? Reach out and I will respond with next steps and availability.

Email The Flight Shrink
Location Telehealth in AL, IN, LA, MI, NE, OH, OK, TX, WI, and WV
Licensure Additional states can be added with one month’s notice

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Important Note:

The views expressed in The Flight Shrink are those of the author and do not reflect the official policy or position of any of the organizations with which Dr. Heacock works. The content of The Flight Shrink is not medical advice. The Flight Shrink is for informational purposes only and may not be applicable to all situations. Use of the information is at the reader’s own risk. Any recommendations of products or services are made in general and may not apply to a specific person, situation, or illness. Please seek care from a medical professional if you have concerns for any mental health symptoms.

If you or someone you know is experiencing a mental health, suicide or substance use crisis or emotional distress, reach out 24/7 to the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline (formerly known as the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline) by dialing or texting 988 or using chat services at suicidepreventionlifeline.org to connect to a trained crisis counselor. You can also get crisis text support via the Crisis Text Line by texting NAMI to 741741. For those in other countries here is a Google site with helplines: support.google.com/websearch/answer/11181469.