Take our Ambition Test

Find a career counselor near me

Formal training in clinical aviation psychology is scarce but essential for public safety.

FAA and HIMS offer specialized training and guidelines for psychologists assessing flight personnel.

Experiential learning, like flying lessons and listening to air traffic control, boosts cultural competence.

Psychologists and other mental health professionals are key to assessing and treating our aviation populations. Both civilian and military flight crews, air traffic controllers, unmanned aerial systems operators, and pilots must meet medical and mental health requirements to ensure public safety. Providing services to this population requires specialized skills and knowledge to make simultaneous decisions in the context of the individual as well as public safety. Consequently, these evaluations are high stakes for all involved.

Despite the importance, there are few avenues to obtain formal education and training in what is interchangeably termed clinical aviation psychology, aeromedical psychology, and aerospace psychology. This post provides suggestions to gain professional and cultural competence in the absence of a robust training pipeline in this specialty area.

There are excellent aviation museums around the country, as well as routine air shows provided by a number of organizations. These types of learning opportunities are a good starting point to gain exposure to the occupational demands of flight as well as the psychology of flight personnel.

One familiarization flight at the controls of an aircraft is not sufficient to gain cultural competence in working with the aviation population. However, it does provide a glimpse into the cognitive load, communication skills, decision-making, and other skills needed by flight personnel. Additionally, it puts you in........

© Psychology Today