Psychological Assessment in Aviation

These are professional and specific psychological assessments used in Aviation industry. The assessments are not only done for pilots but also for cabin crews and air traffic controllers. The purpose of these assessments is to enhance safety and to improve productivity, efficiency, communication, stress management and employee morale. The assessments also help in analysing potential and find prospective managers and trainers.

Airlines are forced by international bodies organising aviation industry to perform these assessments. The assessments are used for selection of military and civil pilots and air traffic controllers, reducing the number of suitable candidates for the flight simulator, and continuous monitoring of fitness for flying in accordance with JAR-FCL 3 (Joint Aviation Requirement - Flight Crew Licensing)

The relevant personality and ability factors are grouped into three categories:

1. Cognitive abilities (e.g. concentration, memory, vigilance, logical reasoning, perception)
2. Psychomotor abilities (e.g. reaction time, 2-hand coordination)
3. Personality traits (e.g. emotional stability, responsibility, autonomy)