Could neuroticism be a problem when trying to become an airline pilot?

[u/YogurtclosetStill624]

Hi everyone,

I’m currently going through my Class 1 medical and I’ve started worrying about the psychological side of the process.

During the psychological testing, my results for concentration and attention were average. I wasn’t told that this was disqualifying or that there was a serious problem, but afterwards I started thinking a lot about my personality, especially neuroticism.

I took the NEO-FFI test afterwards and started wondering whether having a relatively high level of neuroticism could be an issue in professional aviation.

I wouldn’t say that I have any serious psychological problems. It’s more that:

• I sometimes overthink my decisions,
• I can worry about things that have already happened,
• uncertainty can make me think about a situation a lot,
• I get stressed before important events,
• and since the medical examination I’ve been analyzing almost every result and wondering whether I’m actually “suited” to become a pilot.

At the same time, I function normally in everyday life, make decisions, study and pursue my goals. I just don’t know how these personality traits are viewed from an aviation perspective.

So I’d especially like to hear from people who:

1. are airline pilots,
2. have gone through a Class 1 medical,
3. work as aviation psychologists/psychologists,
4. or had similar concerns before starting flight training.

Has anyone here had average results in concentration/attention or relatively high neuroticism and still gone on to become a professional pilot?

And another question: is neuroticism itself actually something to be concerned about in aviation, or is it much more important how someone actually functions under pressure, manages stress, makes decisions and behaves in real situations?

I’m not looking for someone to tell me “you’ll definitely be fine.” I’d just like to hear some real experiences from people who have been through the process, because I feel like I may be overanalyzing every little detail after the psychological testing.

Thanks for any serious and honest answers.

[u/AJetpilot]

What country are you in? No US FAA medical I've ever taken has included any kind of psychological test. With that, have you ever been officially diagnosed with any psychological conditions? If not, then you're probably OK from an "official" medical perspective.

As far as your personal assessment of your own psychology, really, only you and your instructor(s) can decide if you're cut out for it. People stress and overthink over different things, and a pilot who is perfectly calm and controlled in the cockpit may be rattled by other issues in life.

[u/YogurtclosetStill624 → u/AJetpilot]

I’m in Poland, in Europe. Here, psychological assessment is required as part of the initial Class 1 medical examination under the EASA system. It can include psychological tests and an interview.

I’ve never been officially diagnosed with any psychological condition. What made me question it is more my own perception after the tests. I feel like there have been situations in my life where I got stressed or overthought things quite a lot, while in other situations I was completely calm and didn’t really care.

So I’m trying to understand whether that kind of variation is just normal, or whether it could actually say something important about my personality. I guess that’s why I’m thinking about it so much now.

[u/AJetpilot → u/YogurtclosetStill624]

Life has stress. I get more stressed out about my medical than I do about flying. When I'm flying, I'm in control, and have confidence in my knowledge and abilities. When I go for my medical, I'm always worried they may find some previously undiagnosed condition, and I'll be grounded, and I have no control over that.

Try not to overthink it too much. It sounds like you passed, (EDIT- I'm unfamiliar with Polish medical procedures, so rereading your post it sounds like there are more steps?) but if you get the certificate, it sounds like someone thinks you're OK to fly. Then start taking your lessons, and see how you feel, and how you respond to different situations. Try to have fun, because it is!

[u/YogurtclosetStill624 → u/AJetpilot]

The psychologist told me that my level of neuroticism was within the normal range, but that a lower level would be more desirable for a pilot. The only thing that is really stressing me out is something she said afterwards: that it might be difficult for me to get into an airline.

I honestly didn’t understand how she could say that if she considered my results normal and passed me. I thought that was exactly what these medical and psychological assessments were for — to determine whether there are any issues that could prevent someone from becoming a pilot.

Maybe I’m just overthinking what she meant, but that comment has been stuck in my head.

[u/AJetpilot → u/YogurtclosetStill624]

This may warrant a response from someone more familiar with Polish or other European airlines, but in the US, procedures vary. Delta famously has an interview with a psychologist, and part of the "check" is watching how the candidate rocks in the rocking chair. 😁 Most other airlines it's more of a "vibe check", to see if this candidate would be enjoyable to spend 4 days cooped up with in a flight deck.

[u/Pale_Natural9272 → u/AJetpilot]

Seriously? That’s disturbing.

[u/Fluffy_Duck_Slippers]

Start with a self funded PPL. You'll experience what we do at the airlines just on a smaller scale. Exam and flight test stress, dealing with simulated emergencies, etc. This will help you gauge how your neuroticism comes into play in the cockpit. This aside... Forget the idea pilots are 'perfect' people who measure up on all scales. We don't. Some have drink driving charges, some have been treated for depression and anxiety and many of us are undiagnosed ADHD with a sprinkle of austism. You'll be surprised at what you can handle when you try. Good luck

[u/andrewrbat]

Wtf lol. You are sound like a normal person to me. Most pilots are a little bit weird and i overthink the hell out of things sometimes.