Psychometric tests may become mandatory for Indian pilots

NEW DELHI, India – The Directorate General of Civil Aviation may make it mandatory for airlines to conduct psychometric tests on pilots during recruitment and at regular intervals after hiring them.

NEW DELHI, India – The Directorate General of Civil Aviation may make it mandatory for airlines to conduct psychometric tests on pilots during recruitment and at regular intervals after hiring them.

The recommendations were made by a committee headed by joint director general Lalit Gupta, which was formed by the DGCA. The panel was asked to suggest ways to curb incidents similar to the Germanwings copilot, who earlier this year slammed an Airbus 320 into an Alpine ridge at about 650 km an hour, killing all 150 on board, after allegedly suffering a bout of depression.

“The recommendations are to carry out psychometric tests on all pilots being recruited in the airline and also carry out such tests at frequent intervals. The report will be submitted soon and orders will be issued accordingly,” said a senior DGCA official, who did not wish to be identified. Psychometric tests are used to measure a person’s mental capability and behavioral style. Some analysts aren’t impressed with the suggestions and believe they will achieve nothing.

“DGCA should understand that depression is more serious than any psychological problem and one may clear the psychometric test but can be depressed or stressed. Depression or stress can be due to various personal and professional reasons,” said Shakti Lumba, former head of training at IndiGo. Lumba explains that depression or stress occurs due to a sudden change in life events.

“The airline should be allowed to have a mechanism to deal with stress. The airline should be sensitive enough in dealing with stressed employees by simply allowing them to go on leave, if the employee is stressed. The employer should also provide other kind of help, if required,” he suggested.

Airlines in India have already responded to worries following the Germanwings crash. Air India rejected about 40 pilots due to concerns raised by psychologists during interviews in May. This was the first time an Indian carrier had rejected so many pilots on the basis of feedback provided by psychologists.

IndiGo had also said that the airline provides assistance and arranges for facilities and access to the best of doctors and counselors to employees.

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Linda Hohnholz

Editor in chief for eTurboNews based in the eTN HQ.

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