The healthy motivation to fly: no psychiatric diagnosis

Aircrew mission effectiveness may uniquely be influenced by subtle psychological factors not ordinarily brought to the attention of psychiatrists. Pilots tend to be bright, articulate, and anxious to resume their aviation duties when grounded. However, these patients are usually well defended, and rarely psychologically attuned or introspective. Greater insight into what constitutes the normal, healthy motivation to fly will help those who make judgments regarding the return of grounded aviators to flying duty. A review of associated birth order, personality theory, industrial and business psychology, aerospace, and psychoanalytic literature is presented. Highlighted are the difficulties inherent in examining the motivation of a healthy, well-defended population. Our conclusion: an examiner's countertransferential feelings are the best available tool for measurement of healthy motivation.