SALT LAKE CITY
APPOINTMENTS
Jan 22, 2025 – Federal Air Surgeon Bans Virtual Assessments
Limited Application for Return Visits Still Allowed
In July 2020, the FAA under the authority of FAS Dr. Michael Berry allowed virtual visits during the height of the pandemic. As soon as April 2021, psychiatrists were advised that in-office, in-person evaluations reminaed the gold standard for assessment of first-time clients.
Dr. Northrup’s January 22, 2025 memorandum places into writing the verbal guidance first given in 2021. You can download and read the memo if you want more information.
Dr. Kirk knows the FAA and the FAA knows Dr. Kirk
Dr. Kirk, a HIMS evaluator since 2012, sends nearly 300 reports to the FAA every year. Dr. Kirk adheres to the FAA’s high standards of a forensic-quality report and an in-person evaluation for every new case.
No Case Too Big, No Case Too Small
Dr. Kirk works with:
- all Part 121 carriers, their pilots, and their unions
- the corporate medical departments at two legacy airlines
- high school students ready for aviation colleges
- ATCs
- and everybody in between
Dr. Kirk’s Specialties in Aviation
- service-connected disability assessments for military pilots
- legally or medically complicated drug and alcohol cases
- current or past antidepressant use in pilots
- current or past mental health conditions leading to FAA scrutiny
- legal problems leading to FAA scrutiny
- DOT violations
- complex medical problems causing mental health symptoms
- tipline allegations
- fitness for duty assessments for pilot unions
- fitness for duty assessments for corporate medical departments
- high school and young adult pilots applying to aviation colleges
- ATC evaluations

Need a HIMS Team?
Dr. Kirk works with the nation’s leading HIMS AMEs and HIMS Neuropsychologists. If you don’t have a team yet, Dr. Kirk can help you assemble the best. If you’re already connected, Dr. Kirk has probably already worked with your other aviation professionals.
SCHEDULE YOUR FIRST VISIT
Before scheduling an appointment, I encourage you to first register.
If you’re not ready to register but want to first ask questions, please email me.
A four-hour retainer ($1440) is required to reserve an appointment. This is a partial payment against the total costs for your case.
Most cases are billed at a total of between 10 and 11 hours.
Click the More About Fees button for more info about costs, refunds, cancellations, and how the retainer is used.
You do not have a confirmed appointment until paying the retainer and receiving a detailed confirmation email.
Appointments are manually approved by Dr. Kirk and it can take a few hours for you to receive your final confirmation.