Applying Sport Psychology to Aviation

Abstract: Pilots, in both civil and military aviation, must possess a unique combination of cognitive and psychomotor skills to manage the complexities of flight. Moreover, they need to be able to perform these skills under high pressure when things go wrong, when fatigued, after long periods of low cognitive demand, and in collaboration with others. In this sense, there are parallels between the domain of aviation and sports. Professional athletes receive targeted training to instill self-regulatory techniques which ensure optimal performance under different stressors. Because of the parallels between the two domains, a review of the sports psychology literature was performed to identify evidence-based self-regulatory techniques, and training practices for development of these techniques, that could be relevant for pilots. Identified techniques were goal setting, visualization, self-talk, pre-performance rituals, and mindfulness-based techniques. More general performance-enhancing techniques were the development of a growth mindset and grit. Technologies to support the training and application of these techniques that were identified were the use of virtual reality (VR) and physiological monitoring. In conclusion, several self-regulation techniques used by professional athletes could enhance the performance of military and civil pilots. Factors such as integration into existing operational routines, organizational culture, and psychological safety must be carefully considered to ensure successful adaptation and implementation in the aviation context.