Aviation Psychological Practice in the Nigerian Air Force: Challenges and Prospects

Abstract

The military aviation environment is a unique and dynamic one in which several factors impact the safety and reliability of its operators. The present study is an overview of the challenges and prospects of psychological practice in the Nigerian Air Force (NAF). The Department of Psychology adopted robust assessment measures to select pilot candidates with requisite psychological attributes to commence flight-training program in the NAF. The annual medical and psychological fitness examinations were also conducted on both pilots and trainees to determine their fitness to continue with flying duties as well as provide psychological aid to those at risk. Although NAF had a well articulated policy for the training of aircrew, yet the implementation of the program was handicapped by problems of economic, socio-technical and infrastructural services which affected full realization of the aircrew training program. The study recommended a range of measures to enhance the productivity and safety of the aircrew, including the introduction of Human Factors training into the aircrew curricular to enhance the development of non-technical skills needed for effective cock-pit discipline and crew co-ordination.

Keywords: Aviation Psychological Practice, Safety and Reliability of Operators and Crew Resource Management.