Guidelines for the psychological evaluation of air crew personnel

Air crew personnel (i.e., pilots, flight attendants, and air traffic controllers) are subjected to intense psychological and physical stress. Recent terrorist attacks in the U.S., the increased frequency of unruly passenger incidents, and the instability of the aviation industry have exacerbated air crew stress. In addition, common neuropsychiatric conditions (e.g., alcoholism, head trauma, HIV, depression) can impair operational fitness. This article discusses the aviation medical certification process and proposes guidelines for psychological evaluation, including: qualifications of providers, selection of psychological and neuropsychological tests, and the elements of a comprehensive, unbiased examination process.