Aeromedical Psychology

Aeromedical psychology is that branch of psychology pertaining to the assessment, selection and evaluation of aviation personnel. This book, Aeromedical Psychology, is designed to provide the means for a variety of clinicians to carry out sound assessment and selection procedures, perform informed evaluations and make subsequent recommendations regarding flight status and treatment strategies geared to the aviation environment. To facilitate a dynamic understanding of the field, the book emphasizes an integration of applications and theory, case examples and research. The book is divided into three parts. The first presents assessment and selection procedures for aviation personnel (i.e. air traffic controllers, flight officers and pilots) and astronauts and the many ways in which both psychologists and psychiatrists are involved in these roles. In the second part, the waiver standards put forth by both the FAA and the various branches of the military are presented, as well as the waiver decision process. Clinical issues unique to aviation – notably fear of flying, motivation to fly and airsickness – are addressed, as well as possible courses of intervention, treatment and disposition. In the final part, more specialized issues pertaining to aeromedical psychology are dealt with, namely the psychopharmacological research and regulations applicable to recreational pilots and aviation personnel, managing the aftermath of aviation mishaps and the psychologist’s role in accident investigations.

Author Biography

Carrie H. Kennedy, PhD, ABPP, is a neuropsychologist with specialization in military psychology and aviation psychology. She is an active duty Commander in the US Navy, a designated Aerospace Experimental Psychologist and has deployed to Cuba and Afghanistan. Dr Kennedy is an Assistant Professor of Psychiatry and Neurobehavioral Sciences at the University of Virginia. She serves on the editorial boards of Military Psychology and Psychological Services. She has co-authored/edited 5 books, including Military Psychology: Clinical and Operational Applications, now in its second edition, Wheels Down: Adjusting to Life After Deployment, Ethical Practice in Operational Psychology and Military Neuropsychology. Gary G. Kay, PhD, is the President and co-founder of Cognitive Research Corporation. He is the developer and publisher of CogScreen, a computer-administered cognitive test used in pilot selection, fitness-for-duty testing and pharmaceutical research. He serves as neuropsychology consultant to the Federal Aviation Administration. Dr Kay is an Associate Professor of Neurology at the Georgetown University School of Medicine, Department of Neurology. Dr Kay completed his PhD at the University of Memphis. He is a Fellow of the National Academy of Neuropsychology and a member of the Aerospace Medical Association, the International Neuropsychological Society and the American Psychological Association. Tatana M. Olson, Matthew McCauley, Carrie H. Kennedy, Brennan D. Cox, Lacey L. Schmidt, Kelley J. Slack, Thomas C. Foster, Gary G. Kay, Andrew J. Thurston, Chris M. Front, Robert W. Elliott, Carlos R. Porges, Arlene R. Saitzyk, Christopher A. Alfonzo, Timothy P. Greydanus, John R. Reaume, Brian B. Parsa, Erik Viirre, Jonathan B. Clark, J. Lynn Caldwell, John A. Caldwell, Randy Georgemiller, Bradford C. Ashley, Idit Oz, Orit Lurie, Peter B. Walker, Paul O’Connor, William L. Little, Trevor Reynolds.