Flying on an airplane is extremely safe, all things considered, but tragic accidents do happen. And much of the time, they’re quite preventable. While pilots are highly trained and the machines are expensive and finely tuned, flying still has a very human element that most of us never see.

The social dynamics inside the cockpit can be complicated, unpredictable, and sometimes dangerous.

Fortunately, the U.S. Senate just passed two bills to improve mental health support for pilots and aviation professionals, making the sky safer for all of us. The momentum behind the bills came from an extremely unexpected place.

Comedian and documentarian Nathan Fielder took an interest in the mental health of pilots

If you’re not familiar with Nathan Fielder, his work is tough to describe. Part comedy, documentary, and social experiment with a hefty dash of satire layered throughout, Fielder trades in the surreal. You’re never quite sure exactly what you’re watching, or what will happen next.

But one insight from season two of his hit show The Rehearsal,........

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