Pilot Selection

This comprehensive book describes in practical terms - underpinned by research - how recruitment, selection, and psychological assessment can be conducted amongst pilots. The chapters emphasize evidence-based and ethical selection methods for different pilot groups. It includes chapters written by experts in the field and also covers related areas, such as air traffic controllers and astronauts. The book is written for airline managers, senior pilots responsible for recruitment and training, human resources specialists, human factors and safety specialists, occupational health doctors, psychologists, AMEs, practitioners, or academics involved in pilot selection. Robert Bor, DPhil CPsychol CSci FBPsS HonFRAeS UKCP Reg EuroPsy, is a Registered and Chartered Clinical Counselling and Health Psychologist, Registered Aviation Psychologist and Co-Director of the Centre for Aviation Psychology. Carina Eriksen, MSc DipPsych CPsychol FBPsS BABCP, is an HCPC Registered and BPS Chartered Consultant Counselling Psychologist and Registered Aviation Psychologist. Todd P. Hubbard, B.A., M.S. Aeronautical Sciences, Ed.D. Applied Educational Studies in Aviation, Lt. Col. USAF (ret.), is the Clarence E. Page Professor of Human Factors research, University of Oklahoma. Ray King, Psy,D., J.D. is a licensed clinical psychologist, recently retired from the U.S. Air Force, currently with the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).

The presentation of mental illness at work has different implications and consequences depending on the specific nature of the job, work context, regulatory framework and risks for the employee, organisation and society. Naturally there are certain occupational groups where human factors and/or mental illness could impair safety and mental acuity, and with potentially devastating consequences. For pilots, the medical criteria for crew licensing are stipulated by regulatory aviation authorities worldwide, and these include specific mental illness exclusions. The challenge of assessment for mental health problems is, however, complex and the responsibility for psychological screening and testing falls to a range of different specialists and groups including AMEs (authorised aviation medical examiners), GPs and physicians, airline human resources departments, psychologists, human factor specialists and pilots themselves. Extending and developing the ideas of Aviation Mental Health (2006), which described a range of psychological issues and problems that may affect pilots and the consequences of these, this book presents an authoritative, comprehensive and practical guide to modern, evidence-based practice in the field of mental health assessment, treatment and care. It features contributions from experts in the field drawn from several countries, professions and representing a range of aviation-related organisations, displaying a range of different skills and methods that can be used for the clinical assessment of pilots and in relation to specific mental-health problems and syndromes.

"This study was part of a long-range research effort to improve selection of helicopter pilot trainees so as to reduce elimination rates in training. Its purpose was to gain for research and training personnel a better understanding of the content and interrelationships of training grades and attrition criteria in the Army Cargo Helicopter Course (ACHPC)"--Preliminary page.