Pilots, Personality, and Performance

In this timely work, Sheila Deitz and William Thoms have brought together a group of essays that explore some of the human factors that are becoming increasingly recognized as major causes of airplane mishaps and crashes. While much of the discussion on this topic necessarily focuses on pilots, other airline professionals--flight attendants, mechanics, air traffic controllers, and executives--are also subject to the psychological stress addressed in these studies. The contributors examine a selected range of topics that include such areas as working conditions, perception, risk assessment, and the necessity of making choices in an unforgiving environment.