To assess pilot potentials we need information about capacities and abilities, and the value of these in the working conditions of a cockpit. A reliable assessment of personality, communication abilities, teamwork and leadership potentials is most important.

We normally apply a Written Test Battery, that takes about 7 hours to complete. The tests are based on scientific expertise and years of experience with the flight deck environment. Depending on the size of the group, the tests are either administrated in the "paper-and-pencil"-format, or computer-based. Among the function areas tested are:

·        Inductive Intelligence

·        Technical Mechanical Comprehension

·        Speed of Perception

·        Spatial Ability

·        Numerical Understanding

·        Short Term Memory

·        Mathematical Knowledge

·        Competence in English

Additionally, we collect biographical information to be used in the individual examinations.

The value of any psychological aptitude test depends on how it is used. The interpretation requires experience in aptitude testing as well as knowledge of aviation. The value of any aptitude is also clearly depending on how the candidate is functioning during high workload, in teamwork and changing conditions. That is one of the reasons why the Individual Examination represents a most important part of our selection model.

The Individual Examination is a semi-structured interview and a process where the candidate is given the opportunity to expose reflections and opinions, life history and goals. During this examination, the candidate is also tested regarding stress tolerance, simultaneous capacity, manual skills etc., by a computerised Pilot Ability Test (developed by Ferenc Albert Consulting Ltd) and a psychomotoric skill test. When the examination is finished, the psychologist collects all the information and makes a coherent assessment of the pilot potentials of the candidate.

Beside variables concerning abilities and skills, the candidates are assessed on the following:

·        Stress Tolerance

·        Emotional Stability

·        Maturity

·        Independence

·        Self Confidence

·        Awareness of responsibility

·        Situational Awareness

·        Judgement

·        Decision Making

·        Power of Action

·        Cooperation Ability

·        Leadership Potential

We have adopted the "two-pilot" concept, by recommending two separate individual examinations when possible. When an airline company is sponsoring the pilot training for ab-initio candidates, or when the customer wants maximum precision in the assessments, two examinations is the best choice. Two examinations excludes the possible influence of personal likes and dislikes and generates more reliable and valid assessments.

The requirements are partly given by the operative tasks and responsibilities that goes with team-work and crew resource management in a high-tech, and changing cockpit. In some ways the cockpits are very much the same all around the world. But still they are operated differently and depending on company culture, nationality etc. These cultural factors and other specific demands the customer company may have, are also embedded in the methods and requirements we apply.

Recommendations
After every Individual Examination the psychologist makes a Pilot Profile with scores and prognoses for the candidate, as flying officer and future captain. When the model includes two individual examinations, the psychologists work together to make a final complete assessment of the candidate. We give our recommendations and motives for the pilot selection Board, whereupon the company can make its decisions.

Confidentiality and Respect
As a rather small organisation, we have the opportunity to establish close working relations to our customers. We also give a high priority in being flexible, which means that we also develop specific selection models tailor-made to customers needs and time schedule. The only things we do not compromise on, are professionalism and ethical standards concerning customers as well as clients/candidates. To perform a thorough assessment of pilot potentials is to reveal confidential information. Both the information, the conclusions and the personal integrity of the clients have to be handled with the highest confidentiality and respect.