- March 27, 2015
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Investigators in the case of a plane crash airline Germanwings believe that the co-pilot Andreas Lubicz intentionally sent the plane into a mountainside in the Alps. In connection with the incident raised the question of what kind of psychological test pilots are.
The company Lufthansa, which owns Germanwings, said that previously there was no indication mental instability Ljubica.
In 2009, his flight training was suspended, but then resumed after how “has been restored its suitability as a candidate,” said a Lufthansa.
The CEO Carsten Spohr refused to disclose the reasons for the decision. After returning Ljubica questions for him on this occasion did not arise, and the behavior it does not stand out.
inexplicable act forced the pilot to take a fresh look at how it checks the psychological state of the pilots. Most of the passengers suggest that the person operating the aircraft in which they fly, is rigorously tested psychological state, which will reveal whether you can trust a person hundreds of lives. But is it?
From the words of Spohr, we can conclude that the psychological check shall be performed anywhere in Europe.
In the UK, most pilots begin flying career in schools for training pilots, said the press -Secretary local Department of Civil Aviation. But these schools do not consider the psychological characteristics of candidates. They are only interested in the ability of the trainee to fly a plane.
Medical examination
get a job in the airline pilot must undergo a medical examination before he is entrusted with the management of passenger aircraft . According to the former head of the department of the flight manual in the management of civil aviation Britain Mike Vivian, it carefully enough.
But the process does not include an element of psychological testing. Candidates are asked to tell about yourself, including personal interests and family relationships, as well as asking whether the person had not experienced depression or suicidal thought, Vivian said.
As it turned out, the verification process is based on the applicant’s answers and solution expert who builds his judgment on these responses. “There is an element of trust. We have to trust” – explains Vivian.
A medical examination carried out by specially trained aviation medical examiners. It is held once a year or every six months – depending on the age of the pilot.
But the Civil Aviation Authority considers that the procedures for the psychological assessment needs to change. “In light of the data that emerged after the tragic crash of an airliner Germanwings, we, together with colleagues from the European Aviation Safety Agency contacted the British airlines, so that they have reviewed all the necessary procedures,” – reported in the management.
Six rows
Most of the medical examination takes into account the physiological data of the pilot – his weight, height, blood and urine tests. Aspects related to the psychological state, insignificant and too vague. The document on the three and a half pages devoted to an aspect of the psychological state of only six lines.
“In assessing the history of the candidate, the doctor needs to ask a general question about mental health, which can include health, sleep and alcohol consumption. During the call the doctor must observe the candidate and make the necessary general conclusions by category – appearance, speech, mood, thinking, perception, cognition, critical of themselves. It is also necessary to identify the symptoms of consumption of alcohol or drug candidate, “- the document says.
The former captain of the aircraft on British Airways Tristan Lorraine, who retired in 2006 after 20 years of service, said that in all this time his psychological state was not evaluated even once.
“The medical examination included electrocardiogram, surrender urine and blood for tests, and the like. Nothing that would be evaluated by mental health, has not been, “- he said.
Most of the medical examination assesses the technical possibilities. Lorraine had twice a year to take the test on the simulator and a special check when during a routine flight on a commercial flight for his actions watched the captain of the aircraft.
In British Airways, in contrast to other airlines, in which he had to to this work, it was held a conversation with two employees from the personnel department, but such talk hardly be called rigid. “HR managers were asked about their lives. They have not performed neuropsychological tests to identify any psychological problems,” – he said.
The Association of British pilots airlines (BALPA) denies this. Head of Flight Safety Association Rob Hunter recalled: “For the annual pilot medical certificate required by law to report any psychological problems, and experts during a conversation is necessary to identify any symptoms of mental disorder. Pilots are required to inform the company if they are worried about the technical issues , safety or potential problems of medical or psychological properties that arise from colleagues “.
Personal problems
According to Vivian, an important role in identifying psychological problems playing colleagues, who can see if the pilot is experiencing due chey- either death or a breakup with my boyfriend. “If someone’s condition makes me doubt I ever shot a man with a flight or later informed about this manual,” – he said.
Lorraine, who has campaigned to improve the working conditions of pilots, said, that although the pilots and crew members of the aircraft according to the rules must report personal problems, it happens not always. “I flew with people whose condition did not allow them to be on the flight. They had problems at home or with finances, because of what it adds stress to me. After landing, I advised them to take a few days off. These people are remembered,” – he said.
Chapter BALPA Makoslan Jim said he did not need to be afraid of more stringent checks. According to him, although the aircraft and flight control systems are safer, “weak link” have now become pilots themselves.
It is difficult to prove is that the pilot deliberately arranges disaster. The most likely considered a plane crash on EgyptAir in 1999 and the aircraft crashed during a flight from Mozambique to Angola in 2013.
Airplane Company JetBlue, heading in March 2012 in Las Vegas, was forced to land in Texas, after the co-pilot was forced to lock themselves in the cockpit from the captain noticed his strange behavior. Passengers then knocked the captain on the floor.
rare cases
Psychologist Robert Bohr said that to completely avoid such incidents impossible. He again looked at the existing rules at the request of the Federal Aviation Administration after the collapse of the A320. “We came to the conclusion that to avoid a catastrophe, to change anything, it was impossible,” – this was his conclusion.
The cases where the pilot intentionally arranges catastrophe are extremely rare – once in 5-10 years . Pilots are under constant supervision – especially by his colleagues. “Every time they go into the cockpit, they are measured, because someone sitting next to,” – said Bohr.
According to the psychologist, even a psychometric test is not open all of the man who can wake up feeling differently. And it is impossible to prevent 100% of cases, when someone wants to use his position to malice. As an example, he cited the story of Harold Shipmanom, who worked as a doctor and was in good standing, but it killed many of their patients.
After this incident, in medicine there are many additional checks for physicians. But it is difficult to say, would help or not to identify criminal plans of Dr. Shipman.
Psychological testing can help, said Lorraine. But they do not answer all the questions, because the state of mind of man can change throughout life. In the case of Ljubica, according to Lufthansa, had no such symptoms.
Ultimately, it is unclear how airlines can arrange a perfect psychological test. “I do not know of any test that will give satisfactory answers about their emotional state of a person”, – says Lorraine.
To resolve this problem, make sure that no member of the crew did not stay in the cockpit alone , says Lorraine. “The easiest way, if in the cockpit will be another member of the crew,” – he said.
This rule was adopted by the Federal Aviation Administration United States. Now this rule may appear in Europe.
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