High flying psychologists

Update!

Thu, 25 Mar 2021 09:13:11 GMT

UPDATE!

Its been sometime since I posted an update on here, for the simple reason that since late last year I have been extremely busy! Some of that was in relation to European AOC holders needing to be compliant with CAT.GEN.MPA. 175 by 14th February. What has been interesting has been the variety of work I have been engaged in:

- our regular in-depth psychological assessment of pilots for recruitment and command upgrade with a number of operators

- designing psychological assessment processes for a number of operators in compliance with CAA CAP1938 including job analysis and OM A policy development, and training Basic Interviewers in line with CAP1938 requirements

- individual psychological assessments for pilots returning to work after Class 1 medical suspension

- assessment and support of pilots involved in serious incidents

- assessments of private pilots with mental health diagnoses for granting Class 2 medicals

- individual treatment/support work with pilots with sim anxiety and other aviation-related anxiety conditions

- training aviation peer supporters

- delivering webinars on aviation mental health and wellbeing awareness

- acting as a subject matter expert on a project for Leonardo Helicopter and the Norwegian Armed Forces

- participating in the ICAO mental health working group online meetings and the CAA FOLG Crew health and welfare subgroup

Phew! I'm sure there are things I've missed too. Since the start of 2021 we have acquired some significant new clients including Loganair Limited , BlueIslands, Castle Air and Air Charter Scotland, and we have a number of additional new contracts with operators in the UK and Europe in the offing. We also continue to support Kura Human Factors MAPS peer support programme working with over 40 AOCs across Europe as a result. We are now the exclusive suppliers of aviation psychology services to all 4 main offshore helicopter operators, Babcock Onshore and UKSAR and Irish Coast Guard SAR operations.

In April May I will be presenting at two online Royal Aeronautical Society events. On 27th and 28th April I will presenting during the Mental Wellbeing and Human Performance event and on 17th May I am presenting at the HF SG Engineering and Maintenance Conference. Both cover the topic of mental wellbeing and aviation, the first focussing on pilots the second - importantly - on aerospace engineers. I am also planning to update my "Cleared for Take Off" guide produced last year in the light of changed circumstances in the run up to flight operations post Covid, and new research that has emerged.

Keeping busy!

Sun, 21 Jun 2020 16:34:45 GMT

Despite being restricted in my usual travel (I am usually flying from Edinburgh Airport at least once a week) it has been a busy time. Work has included:

urgent aircrew mental health assessment for operators
online pilot peer selection interviews for the North Sea pilot peer consortium
translating the "Cleared for Take Off!" guide into French and Spanish following requests from Canadian and Columbian pilot's unions
presenting a Webinar (see above) on the guide for up to 1500 Avianca pilots across Central and South America
reviewing papers for our professional aviation psychology journal
planning activities with a number of operators for when travel is less restricted next month

The "Cleared for Take Off!" guide has now been distributed to up to 65000 pilots in the USA and Canada, including those at United and Delta airlines. It was recommended in the BALPA checklist for pilots in the UK, and distributed by Flight Operations Inspectors of the UK CAA

Challenging times!

Wed, 29 Apr 2020 15:36:29 GMT

With most scheduled airlines currently grounded as a result of the quarantine measures most nations have adopted, aviation is facing extremely challenging times. In particular aircrew who have been furloughed or laid-off face great uncertainty about their financial position and their furture career. However at some stage airlines will begin to return to flying, although maybe in a different way than previously and may take longer to return to full operations.

In order to help pilots return to work we have produced a guide - "Cleared for Take Off!: A pilot's guide to returning to flying". You can download it and distribute it from this website by clicking the button on the home page.

Review: 2019

Sun, 15 Dec 2019 21:14:57 GMT

2019 has been another busy year at Core Aviation Psychology as many operators are beginning to implement the new regulations that come into force in August 2020, and we have been supporting a number of them to this end. We have welcomed a number of new clients:

Wizzair
DHL Air
NHV Helicopters
Bristow Helicopters
Babcock Offshore and Onshore
CargoLogicAir
West Atlantic

We are now the sole provider of aviation psychology services to the offshore helicopter AOCs. We have also cemented our relationship with Kura Human Factors and look forward to some exciting future joint ventures with them in the corporate aviation sector.

We continue to see individual pilots at the request of AMEs and the CAA, who are working towards their PPL and need a Class 2 medical, and have a mental health diagnosis, and we have consulted with the CAA on both pilot support and pilot psychological assessment.

Our input into mental health and wellbeing awareness continues, working alongside both jet2.com and DHL to develop CRM packages on the topic, and we have delivered awareness sessions for Babcock Offshore in Aberdeen and Sumburgh.

Other work has included presentations at the Royal Aeronautical Society and the CHC Safety and Quality Summit in Dallas TX (on Pressure to Fly), contributing to the ICAO Mental Health Working Group and to the European Association for Aviation Psychology working groups. I was pleased to contribute two chapters to the newly-published textbook on Pilot Psychological Assessment (on interviewing pilots and assessing helicopter pilots), and even more honoured to be made a Fellow of the Royal Aeronautical Society.

Busy, busy!

Fri, 27 Sep 2019 16:48:13 GMT

A busy few weeks in prospect. I am travelling to Dallas TX to participate in the annual CHC Helicopter Safety and Quality Summit where I will be presenting on "Pressure to Fly", looking at the psychological aspects behind faulty decision making in helicopter operations. The first week in October I will be back in Aberdeen where I am involved in a meeting with all four offshore helicopter operators - CHC, NHV, Babcock and Bristow - looking at how we can set up a consortium approach to providing a Pilot Peer Assistance Newtwork together with the CAA Project Officer Nick Goodwyn. On the same day I will be at a meeting of the CAA FOLG Pilot Welfare subgroup. Following that I will be heading to Munich as I have been invited to participate as an aviation psychologist on an expert panel at Inter Airport Europe 2019.

Honoured!

Mon, 12 Aug 2019 09:45:57 GMT

ICAO Working Group on Mental Health

paul.dickens@core-bp.com (Paul Dickens) — Thu, 07 Mar 2019 13:47:21 GMT

ICAO (International Civil Aviation Organization) has set up a working group to look at issue and report on aviation mental health. Paul Dickens of Core Aviation Psychology has been invited to be a member. Its objectives are to:

review available statistics related to mental health and accidents, serious incidents, medical incapacity during flight and loss of licence;
review global legislation and policies on mental health and public safety;
review guidance material in Manual of Civil Aviation Medicine (Doc 8984)
review training programme for aviation medical examiners;
develop proposal and guidance material in order to balance medical confidentiality & aviation safety (reporting to regulatory authorities and sharing of information between regulatory authorities);
evaluate and provide advice on the role of psychological assessment, psychometric testing and psychiatric assessment during the aviation medical assessment (initial and recurrent);
evaluate and provide advice on the role of simulator assessment (and performance criteria) in the determination of fitness to fly;
review/develop risk assessment tool for fitness-to-fly;
develop a Statement on mental health promotion material and distribution channels; and
develop a Statement on the role of Peer Support Programmes -for aircrew and AMEs .

Meetings will start in March 2019.

EASA publish AMC and GM for new aircrew medical fitness regulations

paul.dickens@core-bp.com (Paul Dickens) — Sun, 25 Nov 2018 19:39:36 GMT

EASA published the Acceptable Means of Compliance and Gudiance material for the new regulations on aircrew medical fitness last Friday. They are available on this website.

October activities

paul.dickens@core-bp.com (Paul Dickens) — Mon, 19 Nov 2018 13:03:08 GMT

A busy month!

Just been reviewing our work in October and what a busy month it was! Our activities included;

4 days of aero engineer psychological assessment in Aberdeen
Presentations on mental health and wellbeing, CISM and single-crew CRM at Universal Helicopters in St John's Newfoundland, Canada
Working on expert evidence relating to an aviation-related civil case in Scotland's Court of Session
Writing two chapters for a forthcoming book on the psychological assessment of aircrew, one co-authored with my colleague Christine Farrell
Meetings with potential new clients and updating with existing ones
Lecturing to MSc students at the University of Edinburgh on aviation psychology

Pilot Support Programme - Guidance for Commercial Air Transport Operators

paul.dickens@core-bp.com (Paul Dickens) — Fri, 14 Sep 2018 10:51:46 GMT

The UK Civil Aviation Authority today published CAP 1695, which is the guidance material for operators on establishing and running a pilot support programme. It sets out the necessary requirements for such a programme, including education on mental health issues and the provision of access to a pilot peer support network. A copy is on this website.

This week

paul.dickens@core-bp.com (Paul Dickens) — Fri, 07 Sep 2018 09:24:57 GMT

Spent a busy but enjoyable week at Jet2.com in Leeds and Birmingham presenting the new Aviation Mental Health and Wellbeing CRM package we have developed with them to Senior Flight Operations Managers, Pilot Base Managers, TRIs and CRM trainers. A great response from all involved. The package roll-out starts next week and will cover all aircrew during the next round of CRM. Great support from the Aircrew Managers and the CRM Training Manager.

Busy times!

paul.dickens@core-bp.com (Paul Dickens) — Wed, 15 Aug 2018 08:35:59 GMT

It has been a busy time over the past few months at Core Aviation Psychology, both at work and home (my son's wedding!). The next few months continue in the same pattern. In late September we will be at the European Association for Aviation Psychology conference in Dubrovnik, Croatia (see above) presenting on issues around the mental wellbeing of aerospace engineers. Prior to that we have work with our low-cost carrier in introducing the CRM package on mental health and wellbeing awareness that we have developed with them. This package will be rolled out to all aircrew during the Winter months when CRM and other training is scheduled. We continue to undertake psychological assessment of rotary-wing pilots in Aberdeen - all the more salient in the light of the recently published EC regulation changes. Our work with manufacturers continues, with upcoming further sessions with Zodiac Seats (UK) in Wales and Leonardo Helicopters UK in Yeovil. Lastly we will be travelling to St Johns, Newfoundland, Canada in October to deliver sessions as part of Universal Helicopters Manager's Safety Workshop, where we will be presenting on aviation mental health, CISM and single-crew CRM.

We don't just work with airlines!

paul.dickens@core-bp.com (Paul Dickens) — Tue, 15 May 2018 09:40:45 GMT

Our top team development work

Forthcoming visits this week to Spirit AeroSystems at Prestwick Airport and Zodiac Aerospace at Cwmbran reminded me that Core Aviation Psychology has a long track record of developing top team effectiveness in the aerospace manufacturing sector. In the last year we have worked with the leadership team at both Leonardo Helicopters (UK) and Safran Nacelles. In previous years clients with whom we have done similar work include BAE Systems, Cobham, Airbus, Thales, MBDA, Eurofighter GmbH, Panavia GmbH and Leonardo Airborne and Space Systems. Over the years we have worked with aerospace leadership teams in the UK, Germany, Austria, Italy, The United States and Australia.

The way we work is a psychological evidence based approach that uses a sound rigorous knowledge base coupled with experience in understanding and appreciating the realities of working as leaders in the aerospace sector. We are well-known for being flexible and adapting to the specific requirements of each team with which we work. Our use of Transactional Analysis and the social psychology of groups enables a deeper understanding of the interpersonal dynamics within leadership teams.

Please contact us here for more information.

Royal Aeronautical Society presentation

paul.dickens@core-bp.com (Paul Dickens) — Tue, 01 May 2018 08:18:27 GMT

A busy time for us!

paul.dickens@core-bp.com (Paul Dickens) — Tue, 24 Apr 2018 07:39:19 GMT

Apologies for not having posted in a while but its been a very busy time lately! We have been working with one of the UK's biggest airlines to develop their pilot support programme and an associated CRM package, as well as being busy carrying out psychological assessments for a North Sea helicopter operator. Next month continues in the same vein. On May 2nd Paul Dickens is in London to be filmed as part of a TV documentary series from Pioneer Productions London - makers of "Aircrash Confidential" and "Terror in the Skies". During May he will be giving talks at two events:

"Mental Health Awareness in Helicopter Operations"
Royal Aeronautical Society Aircrew Mental Heath conference, London 24th May

"Conscientiousness and Safety in Pilots and Aerospace Engineers"
Flight Safety Foundation Safety Forum, Eurocontrol, Brussels, 29-30 May

Our work developing pilot support programmes with two operators continues, as does psychological assessment of pilots and engineers. We are in discussion with a number of new clients about the psychological assessment services we can provide to meet the new EASA rulings. We will also be attending the European Pilot Peer Support Network workshop in Frankfurt in June, and will be working on the same topic in Zurich during July. Once again we will be presenting at the EAAP conference in Dubrovnik in September.

Vienna Bound!

paul.dickens@core-bp.com (Paul Dickens) — Fri, 16 Feb 2018 11:51:48 GMT

Next week Paul Dickens will be at the European Business Aviation Safety Conference in Vienna - he is the reserve speaker, and if called upon will be presenting on "The Why What and How of Pilot Support Programmes in Business Aviation.

A busy start!

paul.dickens@core-bp.com (Paul Dickens) — Mon, 29 Jan 2018 10:26:00 GMT

It has been a busy start to the year here at Core Aviation Psychology. As well as conducting psychological assessments in Aberdeen and Dublin, we are active in assisting a major airline and a corporate and charter aircraft operator in designing and implementing pilot support systems. Next month Paul Dickens will be at the European Business Aviation Safety Conference in Vienna, where he is the reserve speaker! http://www.ebascon.eu/
During February and March we will also be working with the leadership team of a major helicopter manufacturer in the UK.

2018

paul.dickens@core-bp.com (Paul Dickens) — Fri, 05 Jan 2018 11:45:31 GMT

Happy New Year!

We've now been established over a year, and 2017 proved to be an exciting one - new clients gained and in discussion, presentations at 2 prestigious conferences and 2 papers published in influential publications. We are also at or near the top of Google rankings for aviation psychology and aviation psychologists

2018 so far looks like it might continue the same way - we've active discussions with a number of new clients and hope to present papers at two upcoming aviation safety conferences, in addition to our continuing work on aircrew psychologcal assessment and mental health and wellbeing.

Another successful workshop!

paul.dickens@core-bp.com (Paul Dickens) — Wed, 29 Nov 2017 10:10:03 GMT

Aircrew Psychological Assessment: A practical workshop

Participants from a number of operators - including jet2.com , Eastern, AirTanker, Titan and Netjets - discussing issues at our workshop on Aircrew Psychological Assessment at Stansted Airport yesterday.

CIEHF Human Factors in Aviation safety

paul.dickens@core-bp.com (Paul Dickens) — Sat, 18 Nov 2017 11:59:07 GMT

I enjoyed presenting at the excellent CIEHF conference last week at LGW - the topic as you can see was Big 5 personality factors and safety in maintenance engineers. The talk was well received with plenty of discussion afterwards - picture courtesy of Andy Evans of Aerossurance. Next up is my presentation at the EASA Rotorcraft Symposium in Cologne the first week in December.

A glimpse into the life of a North Sea helicopter pilot

paul.dickens@core-bp.com (Paul Dickens) — Tue, 07 Nov 2017 13:43:01 GMT

Great to see pilots I know from CHC featured in this BBC Alba programme

https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b09dbt5s/puirtadhairhighland-airports-series-2-episode-7

Aircrew Psychological Assessment: A practical workshop

paul.dickens@core-bp.com (Paul Dickens) — Fri, 20 Oct 2017 15:32:06 GMT

Tuesday 28th November 2017, Radisson Blu Hotel Stansted Airport

Aimed at anyone involved in aircrew recruitment, this is a practical workshop looking at the why, what, how, who and when of psychological assessment in selection and recruitment in aviation. It will help you prepare for the forthcoming EASA rulings on psychological assessment of pilots. For further details and booking, please follow this link:
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/aircrew-psychological-assessment-a-practical-workshop-tickets-390061484...

Busy month on the web!

paul.dickens@core-bp.com (Paul Dickens) — Fri, 01 Sep 2017 07:53:07 GMT

We've made a few tweaks to the Core Aviation Psychology website, and have been analysing our web traffic over the month of August. One of our best months to date as we've had 554 visitors from 52 countries! A lot of these came after our LinkedIn post about support programmes for aerospace engineers, something we'll be speaking about at the CIEHF conference this November.

Welcome to our new team member!

paul.dickens@core-bp.com (Paul Dickens) — Tue, 22 Aug 2017 13:44:15 GMT

Christine Farrell joins Core Aviation Psychology

We are pleased that Christine Farrell has become associated with Core Aviation Psychology. She brings extensive experience as both a commercial helicopter pilot and an organisational psychologist, and strengenths our unrivalled capability in providing psychological services to the rotary-wing sector.

The Real Heroes of Aviation

paul.dickens@core-bp.com (Paul Dickens) — Mon, 14 Aug 2017 15:42:01 GMT

The recent initiatives on pilot mental health are welcome, and there is a need for similar approaches to the mental health and wellbeing of the real heroes of aviation - the engineers. Please read our paper on ourwebsite Information page.

Yes - helicopter pilots are different!!

paul.dickens@core-bp.com (Paul Dickens) — Sun, 06 Aug 2017 18:15:49 GMT

That's the first page of our most recent article that appears in the Summer edition of ROTOR magazine ( www.rotor.org) . We'll post a copy here later in the year.

Research update

paul.dickens@core-bp.com (Paul Dickens) — Sun, 30 Jul 2017 10:09:24 GMT

We've updated the Information page on our website. Click MORE at the top right of the main page, then Information . On that page you will find downloadable copies of research papers we have presented recently on the psychological characteristics of helicopter pilots and on pilot mental health and support, together with details of the conferences and seminars where we have presented during the last few years.

Beyond the Horizon; The future of UK aviation

paul.dickens@core-bp.com (Paul Dickens) — Fri, 21 Jul 2017 09:40:24 GMT

The UK Government published this paper today calling for views on a new strategy for aviation covering a number of areas. It can be downloaded from https://aviationstrategy.campaign.gov.uk/ , and comments are sought from all interested groups.

Human Factors in Aviation Safety

paul.dickens@core-bp.com (Paul Dickens) — Tue, 18 Jul 2017 09:44:35 GMT

CIEHF event, 13-14 November 2017, LGW

We are pleased to say that Paul Dickens will be presenting at the Human Factors in Aviation Safety event hosted by the Chartered Institute of Ergonomics and Human Factors, taking place at LGW on the 13th and 14th November. The topic will be Big 5 personality factors and safety in aerospace engineers.

A reminder!

paul.dickens@core-bp.com (Paul Dickens) — Wed, 12 Jul 2017 08:52:40 GMT

A reminder of the skills of North Sea pilots. A lot of our work is the psychological assessment of pilots for North Sea operations

https://www.facebook.com/1614901712083942/videos/1702843153289797/

Focus - the UKFSC magazine

paul.dickens@core-bp.com (Paul Dickens) — Mon, 26 Jun 2017 11:34:31 GMT

Beyond Germanwings Flight 9525 - Pilot mental health and safety

Our article of that name is published in the latest edition of Focus, the UK Flight Safety Committee's official publication. We will post a copy on here shortly.

Luchtvaart Geestelijke Gezondheid

paul.dickens@core-bp.com (Paul Dickens) — Tue, 13 Jun 2017 10:08:03 GMT

Aviation mental health in The Netherlands

Next week we will be in Den Helder, Holland, giving our presentations on mental health and wellbeing to aircrew at the CHC base.

Pilot Support Workshop, 7th June 2017

paul.dickens@core-bp.com (Paul Dickens) — Thu, 08 Jun 2017 16:15:14 GMT

We held our open practical workshop on Pilot Support at the Radisson Blu Hotel, Stansted Airport this week, in the wake of the CAA IN issued earlier this year. Participants came from a number of operators, including AirTanker, DHL Air, Eastern Airways, Jet2, PDG Helicopters and Titan Airways. We looked in detail at the background to the issue of pilot support, including the incidence of mental health issues in pilots and the relationship to accidents and safety, and the content of the EASA Opinion, IN-2017/005 and the EPPSI Best Practice Guidelines. Some time was spent defining what support means, the key skills required and the different forms it can take, both professional and peer. After lunch we looked at the practical requirements for setting up a programme and participants worked in groups on how they will take this forwards. We aim to hold a further session later in the year once the EASA Regulation has been issued. If you would like further information, or an in-house similar workshop then please contact us here.

Pilot Support Workshop

paul.dickens@core-bp.com (Paul Dickens) — Wed, 31 May 2017 08:24:41 GMT

Radisson Blu Hotel Stansted Airport June 7th 2017

There are still some places left at our workshop next week. If you would like to join colleagues from fixed and rotary wing operators in working on this important topic, then please sign up at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/pilot-support-a-practical-workshop-registration-34315076317

British Helicopter Association Safety Day

paul.dickens@core-bp.com (Paul Dickens) — Tue, 02 May 2017 08:49:05 GMT

May 17th CAE Academy, Oxford Kidlington

Yes that's me on my first lesson in the R22. On May 17th I will be speaking at the BHA Safety Day in Oxford on Single Pilot CRM - focussing on external and internal pressures to fly on single crew operations. A copy of the paper will be poster here after the event, and details of the event are available from http://www.britishhelicopterassociation.org/2nd-helicopter-safety-culture-seminar-17th-may/

Busy times at Core Aviation Psychology!

paul.dickens@core-bp.com (Paul Dickens) — Wed, 19 Apr 2017 13:47:18 GMT

Lots of activity

We're really taking off here at Core Aviation Psychology (sorry!). We've been busy carrying out psychological assessments of pilots and engineers at ABZ, as well as assessing pilots for Titan Airways at STN and having discussions about pilot support with PDG helicopters at INV. In the next weeks we have meetings with Eastern Airways at HUY, Jet2.com at LBA and DHL Air at EMA , and soon will be delivering our aviation mental health and wellbeing presentations for CHC Helicopters in ABZ. We also will be part of consultations on pilot mental health for ICAO, and are contributing to a forthcoming conference at OXF where we will be speaking about "Pressure to Fly" in the rotary-wing sector.

New client

paul.dickens@core-bp.com (Paul Dickens) — Thu, 30 Mar 2017 13:06:10 GMT

Core Aviation Psychology starts working with Titan Airways

Titan Airways specialises in short notice ACMI and wet lease operations as well as ad-hoc passenger and cargo charter services to tour operators, corporations, governments and the sports and entertainment sectors and is based at Stansted Airport. We are delighted to have been asked to provide aircrew psychological assessment services and are in discussion about pilot support services .

Pilot Support Workshop - details

paul.dickens@core-bp.com (Paul Dickens) — Sun, 26 Feb 2017 14:20:44 GMT

Setting Up and Running a Pilot Support Programme - A practical workshop

Our first open workshop on Setting Up and Running a Pilot Support programme will be held on Wednesday April 12th from 10.00 to 16.00 at the Crowne Plaza Hotel, Aberdeen Airport (ABZ). Full details and booking can be found at:

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/pilot-support-a-practical-workshop-registration-32274136812

Advance notice

paul.dickens@core-bp.com (Paul Dickens) — Thu, 16 Feb 2017 11:11:48 GMT

Practical workshop on setting up and running a pilot peer support programme

We will shortly be announcing our first practical workshop - Setting Up and Running a Pilot Peer Support Programme. The venue will be Aberdeen in early April. Please contact us for more information or revisit our website soon.

EPPSI Frankfurt

paul.dickens@core-bp.com (Paul Dickens) — Tue, 31 Jan 2017 10:54:20 GMT

European Pilot Peer Support Initiative

We will be in Frankfurt this week attending the first seminar of the European Pilot Peer Support Initiative, involving ESAM, ECA, EAAP and Stiftung Mayday.

CAA publish information on pilot support

paul.dickens@core-bp.com (Paul Dickens) — Tue, 24 Jan 2017 13:38:25 GMT

CAA Information Notice IN-2017/005

Following the EASA opinion issued late last year, the Civil Aviation Authority has today published it's guidance for operators on Pilot Support Programmes. It provides a framework for a Pilot Support Programme as part of an operator's Safety Management System. A copy is on our Aircrew Support webpage, together with information on how we can support you in implementing the guidance.

Musical Monday

paul.dickens@core-bp.com (Paul Dickens) — Mon, 23 Jan 2017 09:27:55 GMT

A song to start the week!

https://www.facebook.com/aviationbucket/videos/1830085150573242/

What use is a psychologist in airline pilot selection?

paul.dickens@core-bp.com (Paul Dickens) — Thu, 05 Jan 2017 20:37:22 GMT

Visit our Information page to download a copy of our thinking on what psychology contributes to airline pilot selection

Depression and suicidal thoughts amongst pilots

paul.dickens@core-bp.com (Paul Dickens) — Thu, 15 Dec 2016 09:07:48 GMT

New US study published

http://health.usnews.com/health-care/for-better/articles/2016-12-14/study-reveals-depression-suicida...

20% Discount!

paul.dickens@core-bp.com (Paul Dickens) — Mon, 12 Dec 2016 15:39:16 GMT

Early bird offer! If you visit our Information page you will see we have added a flyer for a new book - Pilot Mental Health Assessment and Support - that will be published soon by Routledge. We have contributed a chapter to the book: "Between the joystick and the seat: Getting inside the minds of pilots using clinical interviewing". There's a 20% discount on the purchase price if you order using the flyer.

EASA puts forward new rules for air operations

paul.dickens@core-bp.com (Paul Dickens) — Fri, 09 Dec 2016 10:56:03 GMT

Pilot mental fitness

EASA published today a proposal to the European Commission on new operational rules to better support pilot mental fitness. EASA’s proposal is part of its Action Plan following the Germanwings Flight 9525 accident .

Released in a document known as an Opinion ( Opinion 14/2016 ) , the proposals include the following new requirements:

Ensuring that all pilots have access to a support programme ;
Mandating airlines to perform a psychological assessment of pilots before the start of employment;
Introducing systematic Drug & Alcohol (D&A) testing of flight and cabin crew upon employment, after a serious incident or accident, with due cause (i.e. following reasonable suspicion), as well as
Unannounced D&A testing after rehabilitation and return to work;
As an additional safety barrier for airlines which are not already subject to a national programme for psychoactive substance testing: mandatory random alcohol screening of flight and cabin crew within the EU RAMP inspection programme .

These requirements are contained in the so-called Air OPS Implementing Rules. The proposed rules have been subject to consultation with all stakeholders concerned. As part of a total system approach, they complement the proposals EASA issued in August of this year , on the update of medical requirements for pilots (Part-MED).

The proposals address relevant safety recommendations made after the Flight 9525 accident by the EASA-led Task Force, as well as by the French Bureau d’Enquêtes et d’Analyses (BEA).

Next steps:

The EASA Opinion will serve as the basis for a legislative proposal by the European Commission in the course of 2017. To support the implementation of the new rules, EASA has prepared draft guidance material (so-called Acceptable Means of Compliance and Guidance Material - AMC/GM), annexed to the Opinion. The final AMC/GM will be published when the new rules have been adopted by the Commission.

International Civil Aviation Day 07/12/2016

paul.dickens@core-bp.com (Paul Dickens) — Thu, 08 Dec 2016 10:36:59 GMT

http://www.icao.int/secretariat/SecretaryGeneral/AviationDay/Pages/default.aspx

More humour!

paul.dickens@core-bp.com (Paul Dickens) — Mon, 05 Dec 2016 15:06:27 GMT

We've added some new cartoons in our popular Aviation Humour section - yes we know its a serious business but we all need some light relief from time to time!

Busy day in Dublin

paul.dickens@core-bp.com (Paul Dickens) — Sat, 26 Nov 2016 09:30:48 GMT

I spent a day in Dublin this week carrying our in-depth psychological assessments of winchmen for the Irish Coast Guard SAR fleet operators. A job that requires nerves of steel! Rather them than me dangling off a steel rope from the back of an aircraft over water. I've massive respect for SAR crews and the job they do everywhere in the world.

More words of wisdom

paul.dickens@core-bp.com (Paul Dickens) — Sat, 19 Nov 2016 18:09:29 GMT

More wise words from Capt. Sully Sullenberger. The importance of the human factor in aircraft safety is something we support strongly in all our work.

Saturday chuckle

paul.dickens@core-bp.com (Paul Dickens) — Sat, 05 Nov 2016 15:58:49 GMT

Heathrow Morning

paul.dickens@core-bp.com (Paul Dickens) — Tue, 01 Nov 2016 21:01:02 GMT

This amazing picture is a time-lapse photograph taken during the early morning arrival slot at Heathrow - shows how busy it is!

Words of Wisdom

paul.dickens@core-bp.com (Paul Dickens) — Mon, 31 Oct 2016 16:49:20 GMT

In the press...

paul.dickens@core-bp.com (Paul Dickens) — Fri, 28 Oct 2016 07:53:33 GMT

https://www.oilandgaspeople.com/news/10300/aberdeen-helicopter-organisation-trains-injured-soldiers-...

Wings for Warriors

paul.dickens@core-bp.com (Paul Dickens) — Wed, 26 Oct 2016 09:42:54 GMT

We are proud to be active supporters of Wings for Warriors by providing the necessary in-depth psychological assessment that is part of the selection process for prospective trainees. Visit the page on our web site that will give you the link to find out more about the unique work this charity does with ex-service men and women.

EASA CRM Workshop

paul.dickens@core-bp.com (Paul Dickens) — Mon, 24 Oct 2016 10:22:56 GMT

EASA are running a workshop on Crew Resource Management in Cologne, Germany on the 8th November, looking at the proposed changes to CRM training and monitoring. Details:

https://www.easa.europa.eu/newsroom-and-events/events/easa-crm-workshop-%E2%80%9Ccrm-practice%E2%80%...

High flying psychologist!

paul.dickens@core-bp.com (Paul Dickens) — Sat, 22 Oct 2016 18:35:31 GMT

This is a picture of me taking my first flying lesson in a Robinson R22 belonging to Wings for Warriors. Great fun!