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Old 29th Mar 2015, 11:33
  #2503 (permalink)  
athonite
 
Join Date: Jan 2006
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Psychometric Testing

I'm interested the way it is being suggested by the media that psychometric tests are the answer, and likewise Lufthansa claim all their pilots undertake regular psychometric test, clearly the tests don't work.

Psychometric tests fall into two areas:

(a) APTITUDE & ABILITY. This is to ensure the person has the ability and aptitude to succeed in initial pilot training, or conversion course.

(b) PERSONALITY. This test tries to map the person's personality, for example, 16 PF (16 personality factor). I have always been doubtful about such tests, I'd like to see the evidence that they have any validity.

Having said that, I fail to see how psychometric tests will ever detect underlying psychological and psychiatric problems and I believe that psychometric tests will be used as a a knee jerk reaction to satisfy the general public and authorities.

The way forward is to take a more holistic approach and a better awareness and understanding of those who we work with through HF/CRM and HP&L training programmes.

Here in the UK, I don't believe we have such tight privacy rules as Germany, according to the British Medical Association a General Practioner (doctor) can breach medical confidentiality, if they thought the patient could endanger others.

In the UK on renewal of a medical, you simply self disclose when and why you have seen a doctor since you last medical. Over twenty five years, I'm not aware my GP has ever been contacted, or that the CAA have ever seen my medical records.

However, in the UK our National Health Service (NHS) patients records are held electronically (unless you opt out), this holds all information on all medical treatment for an individual. So the simple answers here in the UK is that prior to a medical an AME (Authorised Medical Examiner) could access the patients records online.

The next point is should intemperate acts be immediately notified to the AME, this was first put forward at a conference in Dublin in the mid nineties, but was opposed at the time, not least by myself. However the present situation in the UK is that if an individual in the UK holds a firearms licence, my understanding the moment the police caution, arrest or charge an individual, their firearms licence is revoked until further investigation.

Oddly if an airline pilot is arrested for example an drink driving or a drugs offence in the UK, and he or she tells the police they are an airline pilot, my understanding they will notify the CAA, but if they don't tell the police their correct profession, the police have no reason to contact the CAA. So unlike the holder of a firearms licence, the problem is not flagged up! On that basis, it would seem sensible that there is a mechanism that certain criminal events can be flagged up, as they may be an indication of a lack fitness to fly, until verified by the AME.

Finally if the media reports are correct, if Lubitz had has issues with depression and coping with stress, at such an early stage in his career, I question why he was ever allowed by Lufthansa to continue with his career. I appreciate my view might not meet with equal opportunities, but the employee must be fit for purpose.

Unfortunately in the UK there is a lot of political correctness in terms of equal opportunities which often leads to the 'wrong stuff' being appointed on the basis of a disability or ethnic origin. To give a brilliant example, couple of years ago, I observed a court hearing, and the District Judge had such a severe speech impediment that the respondent and his very young barrister (counsel) had to ask the judge on a number occasions to repeat what he had said (up to three or four times) which clearly angered the judge, to the detriment of the respondent. I just came away with the impression, that this judge should never have been appointed as a judge, for the same reason he should never pursued a career as an air traffic controller!!!
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