SIAP - SIAP - Scandinavian Institute of Aviation Psychology

Welcome to SIAP Norway A/S

SIAP Norway A/S represents a group of Scandinavian aviation psychologists working as consultants within selection, training and human resource development. Our focus is on the aviation industry, but we are also engaged by a wide range of companies outside the aviation world.

We have years of experience with selection of candidates for pilot training (Ab-Initio) and qualified pilots for major airlines, governmental and private flying training schools, in Scandinavia and South-East Asia.

SIAP Norway and associated aviation psychologists in Denmark and Sweden is a small organization with a unique experience, offering professional services with dedication and a lot of flexibility.

SIAP Norway AS has a close working relation to HUMAN FACTORS AS, - a consulting company in business psychology and strategy development. Human Factors AS offers a wide range of tools for leadership, team and organisational development, expert consultants, and an extensive international network in the world of academics and applied psychology. Website-link is given below.

CrewCompetence is another company representing Scandinavian teamwork; specialised in HR management services "Enhancing crew performance" in technology driven companies such as Airlines, Maritime and Oil companies. Please visit www.crewcompetence.com for further information.

And then; scroll on or use the menu for further information on how we work and what we can offer.

Introduction to our model of Pilot Selection

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.

Models for selection to Flying Training Schools

Is selection of candidates important?
Yes, if the school prefers candidates who are able to:

· Acquire good airmanship and attitudes

· Develop good pilot skills

· Stay motivated

· Adapt well in the demanding airline industry

· Be preferred by the major airlines

· Be ambassadors of their Flying Training School

Almost everyone can learn how to fly if given enough training and time. As pilot training also is a business, every school needs student pilots to stay in business. One option is accept the candidates who are interested, another option is to make entrance dependant on a thorough assessment of pilot potentials. The candidate will then have an opportunity to consider her or his pilot ambitions realistically, before the investment is done.

To ensure a high level of pilot potentials among the students is for the school both a way to contribute to future safe flight operations, to reduce costs in the training, and finally the best way of marketing their school.

Ab-Initio Selection is a search for potentials. We look for basic skills, the ability to acquire knowledge and the potential to utilize it all within a cockpit-setting. Apart from aptitudes, the personality has to support a stable functioning and a sound further development as both life and work experience increase. They have to be motivated to work hard, and then to develop the real kind of pilot motivation based on a joy of mastering the aircraft, the technology, and the teamwork on a modern flightdeck.

Different models
One day with the Written Test Battery and one or two Individual Examinations is the main model. Screening may be implemented at various stages, and at different requirement-levels.

When the aim is to ensure only a minimum level of basic skills, some schools and student pilot candidates prefer to use the Written Test Battery only, without Individual Examination. This is a low cost option, suitable for "negative selection"; that is to identify candidates with modest or small chances of succeeding as pilots. (In late 2004 we also introduced a new short version Pilot test, - see below for more information!)

The school itself may be our client, or the candidate. The important thing is that we report to our client only. If it is the candidate who pays for the assessment, we report to her or him. It is then up to the candidate to forward results to the school, and it is up to the school to decide what students they accept.

When reporting to the student pilot candidate, there are also different options. One is to use our Ab-Initio Certificate, where the results are given by scores from 1 to 9 on a set of variables.

These variables are:

· General Reasoning

Is it a realistic goal?

· Numerical Reasoning

· Technical Mechanical Understanding

· Spatial Orientation

· Speed of Perception

· Short Term Memory Functioning

· Mathematical Knowledge

· Competence in English

· Simultaneous Capacity

· Psychomotoric Skills

· Communication Skills

· Teamwork Potential

· Leadership Potential

· Total Evaluation of Pilot Potentials

We also include a Personal Report where assets and shortcomings regarding a future pilot career are discussed and concluded with recommendations. This is intended for the candidate only, while the Ab-Initio Certificate may serve as attachment when applying to a flying training school.

A procedure with the Written Test Battery, one Individual Examination, Ab-Initio Certificate and Personal Report, is also what we offer individuals who want personal counselling before they make a decision regarding a future pilot career.

NEWS! – A brief and efficient screening test

Flying training schools who wants a brief and efficient tool for basic screening of applicants, may now administer our new Pilot Test themselves. It is a written test battery on General Reasoning, Technical Mechanical Comprehension, Spatial Orientation, Speed of Perception, Numerical Estimation and Simultaneous Capacity. The test takes about 2 hours, and answer sheets are e-mailed or sent to us for scoring and evaluation. Results are returned by e-mail to the candidate and training school.

This new Pilot Test is intended as a counselling tool for the candidate and the school, applied together with other information on suitability, motivation and pilot career goals. Test results so far indicate high correlation to more extensive written tests used in pilot selection.

This Pilot Test is presently only in Norwegian paper-and-pencil format. A CD-ROM version is on the way, and English version may be developed upon request. This is a low cost test option; the flying training purchases a licence and start-kit, and pays per tested candidate.

For further information – contact us on siap@siap.no

Cultures and countries outside Scandinavia

Cultural differences is a challenge. Reliable assessments of personalities and evaluations of pilot potentials are not possible without knowledge and respect of the cultural and social reality the candidates belong to. We have experience from working with different cultures, and we know that genuine respect demands both solid preparations and the ability to adapt. To us, that is a stimulating part of our profession, and we are ready for that kind of challenges!

Selection of personnel outside the cockpit

The only unique thing about pilots is that they control the aircraft. But there are a lot of positions where the demands are quite similar in several respects. A well structured personality which ensures stable functioning, sound decision-making and a good awareness for changes in the system she/he controls, is needed in most advanced human-machine systems. The ability to handle complex information and changing conditions, might be critical when the unexpected occurs, in spite of all back-up systems. The ability to work in teams, to be assertive yet also listening, to execute leadership when needed, are perhaps also attractive characteristics among the new employees your are looking for?

Whether the advanced human-machine system is up in the air, on sea or land, there are many common factors when you want to keep the operations safe.

We have a proven competence in pilot selection, and a lot of experience with selection in other areas. If your company needs leaders and operators able to handle the challenges within your industry, - try us! We will develop a Personal Profile based on your needs and our experience, and deliver your Board the assessments it needs.

NEWS! Training for the maritime industry

We are now engaged in a project together with HUCON, developing a program and system for human factor training in the maritime industry. HUCON’s Integrated Assessment Program © represents state of the art CRM and human factor research and experience, and a framework we adapt to the maritime reality in close cooperation with skilled masters and professionals of the sea. The first step is a streamlined and efficient system for simulator training and assessments. It is full speed ahead, most exciting, and more news will follow as we progress!