German Aerospace Center

Aviation and Space Psychology About Us

Hamburg, Germany

DLR = Deutsches Zentrum für Luft- und Raumfahrt (literally `German Centre for Aeronautics and Astronautics´)

Introduction
In 1954 the German Airline Lufthansa prepared to restart operation after World War II, one
year later West-Germany regained sovereignty over its airspace. At that time there had been
practically no German pilots licensed according to ICAO standards. That was the moment
Lufthansa and the German Aerospace Center (DLR) started their cooperation in order to
assess the large number of applicants seeking pilot careers. The DLR was assigned to develop
a system for selecting the future pilots. Since 1954 practically every Lufthansa pilot has been
selected by the DLR and the success rate of pilot training has justified the effort: more than
97% percent of the ab initio applicants succeed in their pilot training.
The aim of the DLR Test Center in Hamburg is to contribute to safety, performance and cost-
effectiveness of man-machine systems in aviation. The Pilot Assessment Services
accomplished by the DLR is of interest for organisations seeking reliable and valid methods
for assessing either
ƒ high school graduates with no flight experience regarding their general suitability for
flight training (Ab Initio), or
ƒ licensed pilots regarding their suitability for type rating and/or the position of a first
officer in an airline (Ready Entry).

Fundamentals of the DLR Approach to pilot selection

Long-time experience in the aviation industry clearly indicates the validity and effectiveness of
systematic pilot selection in reducing training failure rates and problematic developments
during a pilot’s career. The higher reliability of pilots subject to a systematic screening and
personal assessment process results in an increase in operational safety plus an economic
advantage through reduced overall training costs.
General regulatory requirements and recommendations for pilot selection have been
developed by DLR in cooperation with the European Association for Aviation Psychology
(EAAP). The tests conducted by DLR conform to the applicable requirements and guidance
material concerning aviation psychology as specified in JAR-FCL 3. The requirements include
criteria for the systematic assessment of pilot applicants at all levels of experience. It is the
aim of such an assessment to identify those who possess the necessary personal capabilities
for becoming and remaining qualified and motivated pilots and future captains.
This procedure is of benefit for both, the airline and the applicant: While the airline will save
time and money due to minimized training costs and planning reliability, the applicant can be
sure that his or her investment of time, energy, and money into a future cockpit career is
worth it because the probability of achieving success is significantly higher if he or she has all
the basic requirements. Thus the great advantage of an assessment of basic aptitudes and
personality is to prevent disappointment and frustration. This also means that the assessment
takes place preferably before the start of pilot training.

QMH-DLR-ME-HH- DLR – About Us.doc 23.10.2007 (Rh)

The DLR on the basis of long and broad experience has found that, while many of the basic
skills and capabilities required for a successful career as a pilot are evenly distributed across
many societies, there are nevertheless significant cultural effects on personality that are a
significant consideration for pilot assessment. This is fully respected in the assessment
procedures conducted at the DLR, since DLR has accumulated norms and experience from
different regions: besides Europe also Middle East, Far East, and Africa.

Assessment Process
Each applicant is provided with a biographical data sheet prior to the assessment, which
must be completed well in advance. This form includes also questions aiming at the
candidate’s motivation for a job in aviation / for a certain company plus questions
highlighting the aspects of his/her socialisation and education, hobbies, strengths and
weaknesses, etc.
The first day of assessment then includes a programme covering several aspects of the overall
competence:
ƒ Personality and Attitude Assessment designed to identify the degree of job-relevant
personality characteristics such as introversion/extraversion, dominance/timidity,
stability/instability, caution/risk-taking, etc. An assessment of flight management attitudes
will be administered for ready entry applicants.
ƒ Multiple Choice Tests for English language, mathematics, physics, and mechanical
comprehension.
ƒ Aptitude Tests designed to assess attention control, perceptual speed, memory function
and spatial orientation.
ƒ Psychomotor Tests designed to assess psychomotor abilities, multi-tasking capacities,
stress resistance and reaction times.
Having achieved sufficient test results here qualifies for an interview lasting approximately
one hour, usually held the next day. During this interview the candidate will be given the
opportunity to further explain his/her motivation to apply. Further questions are customised
according to the results of the preceding tests and according to the situation of the applicant
(Ab Initio or Ready Entry). The DLR experts will assess the candidate’s performance in all
relevant areas and then determine a final rating that is designed to reflect the overall
potential. Each candidate receives an oral summary of these conclusions.
In case of a negative overall result an airline-specific retest policy comes into effect.

QMH-DLR-ME-HH- DLR – About Us.doc 23.10.2007 (Rh)