Specialist aviation psychology · United Kingdom
Where psychology meets aviation safety.
Experts in aviation and psychology, supporting aircrew and air operators through evidence-based psychological practice.
- Accredited expertise
- Led by an accredited aviation psychologist and registered clinical psychologist
- Clinical grounding
- Chartered and HCPC-registered clinical psychologists, in aviation practice since 2012
- Sector reach
- Airlines, offshore helicopter and SAR operators
What we do
Psychological services built for aviation
Everything we do is tailored to the particular demands of aviation — its people, its regulations and its operating environment.
01
Aircrew psychological assessment
Psychological assessment of pilots, cabin crew, SAR rear crew and engineers. These meet the requirements in Europe of EU regulation CAT.GEN.MPA 175, the recruitment policies of UK operators and those of other international aviation authorities and regulatory bodies.
02
Aircrew psychological support
Confidential one-to-one support for aircrew, including simulator and check anxiety, other aviation-related anxiety conditions, and support following serious incidents.
03
Medical certification assessments
Clinical assessment for Class 1, 2 and 3 medicals and cabin crew medicals where additional psychological assessment is required because of significant mental health diagnoses. Fit-to-fly assessment for pilots who have had their Class 1 medical suspended due to mental health and wellbeing issues.
04
Supporting peer support programmes
Support for operators in establishing and running aviation peer support programmes, including training of peer supporters and ongoing clinical supervision.
How we work
Clinical rigour, aviation understanding
“We believe it is vitally important that we understand and appreciate the particular and unique characteristics of the aviation sector, so that our clients find us in tune with their specific requirements and their operating environment.”
Evidence, not opinion
Every assessment, intervention and programme is grounded in sound, well-researched psychological principles and methods.
Fluency in aviation
We understand the particular and unique characteristics of the sector — its culture, its language and its pressures — so our work fits your operating environment.
Credentials
Led by acknowledged specialists
Core Aviation Psychology is led by Paul Dickens, working with a network of aviation and clinical specialists.
Paul Dickens
BA(Hons) MPhil AFBPsS CPsychol FRAeS
Consultant Aviation Psychologist
- Registered Practitioner Clinical Psychologist and BPS Chartered Clinical Psychologist
- Accredited Aviation Psychologist
- Fellow of the Royal Aeronautical Society
- Member, British Psychological Society expert group on aviation psychology
- Member, ICAO Mental Health Working Group
- Member of CAA FOLG Mental Health and Wellbeing Group
- Member of HeliOffshore
- Supporter of Wings for Warriors
British Psychological Society
Home of our Chartered Psychologists and of the aviation psychology expert group.
European Association for Aviation Psychology
The European standard-bearer for aviation psychology practice.
Royal Aeronautical Society
Paul Dickens is a Fellow of the Society.
UK Civil Aviation Authority
Consulted on pilot support and pilot psychological assessment.
International Civil Aviation Organization
Member of the ICAO Mental Health Working Group.
HeliOffshore
Member of the international offshore helicopter safety association.
Wings for Warriors
The charity that trains wounded, injured and sick UK Armed Forces veterans as professional pilots.
Who we work with
Trusted across the sector
We currently work with:
Airlines & operators
Sole provider of aviation psychology services to the four main UK offshore helicopter operators, and to Offshore Services Australasia, UKSAR and Irish Coast Guard SAR operations. Our work covers the UK, Europe, the Gulf States and Australasia.
Confidential enquiry
Talk to someone who understands
Whether you are an individual aircrew member seeking assessment or support, or an operator looking to commission work, every conversation with us is confidential. We respond personally and discreetly.
This form is not monitored around the clock. If you need urgent support, please contact emergency services, your GP, or your operator's occupational health service.
Prefer email? paul.dickens@core-ap.co.uk