Drone Pilots

The Test Solution “Drone Pilots” can be used to assess psychological aptitude for the profession of drone pilots. The procedure is suitable both for applicants with and without prior experience. The selection of test dimensions is based on international standards and regulations of the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA Regulation: European Union Aviation Safety Agency, 2024), on research findings from the United States military (Barron et al., 2016; Carretta & Rose, 2017; Carretta et al., 2015; Rose et al., 2013; Rose et al., 2014), as well as on requirements analyses and empirical findings on aptitude testing of drone pilots (Adams & Hagl, 2025; Biggerstaff et al., 1998; Duvillard-Monternier et al., 2023; Pagan et al., 2015; Qi et al., 2018; Trent & Barron, 2021). A study by the Norwegian police on personnel selection in the field of drone flight using the Vienna Test System by SCHUHFRIED was also considered in the development of the Test Solution (Johnsen et al., 2023). The EASA Regulation requires pilots to be able to manage their workload and flight path effectively, perform operational procedures correctly, possess good situational awareness, and demonstrate personality traits that support good leadership behavior, teamwork, and self-management.

In order to control unmanned aircraft safely and successfully, spatial visualization ability (Adams & Hagl, 2025; Biggerstaff et al., 1998; Carretta & Rose, 2017; Duvillard-Monternier et al., 2023; Johnsen et al., 2023; Rose et al., 2013; Rose et al., 2014; Trent & Barron, 2021) and Ability to concentrate (Carretta & Rose, 2017; Johnsen et al., 2023; Rose et al., 2013; Rose et al., 2014) play a central role and represent valid predictors of occupational success in training missions (Trent & Barron, 2021). Ability to concentrate has been investigated in empirical studies and requirements profiles on the one hand as selective, focused attention or sustained attention (Carretta & Rose, 2017; Duvillard-Monternier et al., 2023; Johnsen et al., 2023) and on the other hand as divided attention or multi-tasking (Carretta & Rose, 2017; Johnsen et al., 2023; Rose et al., 2013; Rose et al., 2014; Trent & Barron, 2021). Both sustained attention and multi-tasking ability / divided attention are therefore relevant for successful professional performance. Beyond spatial visualization ability and attention, the cognitive dimension of logical reasoning is also included in most requirements analyses (Adams & Hagl, 2025; Barron et al., 2016; Carretta & Rose, 2017; Johnsen et al., 2023) and correlates empirically with training and mission success in military contexts (Trent & Barron, 2021).

In order to make correct decisions even in ambivalent and time-critical situations, fast information processing and the ability to react quickly under strain as well as good attentional control and reactive stress tolerance are required (Barron et al., 2016; Carretta & Rose, 2017; Duvillard-Monternier et al., 2023; Pagan et al., 2015; Rose et al., 2013). In addition to the ability to react under strain, good situational awareness is essential to avoid incorrect decisions (Adams & Hagl, 2025; Carretta & Rose, 2017; Duvillard-Monternier et al., 2023; Pagan et al., 2015; Rose et al., 2013). Furthermore, psychomotor skills such as eye-hand coordination are highly important for precise control of unmanned aircraft for drone pilots (Carretta & Rose, 2017; Pagan et al., 2015; Rose et al., 2013; Rose et al., 2014). Initial empirical results also indicate that working memory in drone pilots is associated with performance in simulated as well as real standardized flight tests (Ramallo-Luna et al., 2025).

In addition to cognitive factors, personality traits also show meaningful associations with successful drone pilot performance. Across different job analyses and empirical studies, conscientiousness and emotional stability are consistently highlighted as key predictors, as they are linked to reliability, self-discipline, rule-compliant behavior, and resilience under stress (Carretta & Rose, 2017; Duvillard-Monternier et al., 2023; Pagan et al., 2015; Qi et al., 2018; Rose et al., 2013). Agreeableness, and to some extent extraversion, show additional but less consistent associations, particularly in the context of teamwork, communication, and coordinated crew operations (Barron et al., 2016; Duvillard-Monternier et al., 2023; Pagan et al., 2015). In contrast, findings for openness are mixed: while some job analyses discuss it as potentially relevant, empirical studies generally report weak or inconsistent relationships with performance; in specific training contexts, higher openness has even been associated with lower performance (Barron et al., 2016; Rose et al., 2014). Overall, the evidence suggests that conscientiousness and emotional stability represent the most robust personality-based predictors of success in the drone pilot context.

The Test Solution “Drone Pilots” therefore comprises the following dimensions:

• Reactive stress tolerance (DT)

• Multi-tasking ability (M-TASK), screening: divided attention (TACO)

• Sustained attention (TACO)

• Logical reasoning (INT)

• Spatial visualization ability (INT)

• Eye-hand coordination (2HAND)

• Working memory (SPAN)

• Obtaining an overview (ATAVT-2)

• Personality: conscientiousness, extraversion, agreeableness, emotional stability (FCB5)

The table below provides a complete overview of the specific weightings of the individual tests used to calculate the overall score for the Test Solution “Drone Pilots”. For the weightings used to calculate the overall score, the best available effect sizes with regard to criterion validity were identified. Further information on the calculation and interpretation of the result of a testing can be found on the page: Notes on evaluation and interpretation

A standard form and a screening form are available. The standard form covers the entire ability and personality profile and is intended for comprehensive aptitude testing. The screening form focuses on the central cognitive dimensions (spatial visualization ability, logical reasoning and divided attention), as well as the relevant personality traits. No parallel form exists for multi-tasking, therefore practice effects and familiarization with the material cannot be ruled out in open mode administration, so the convergently valid dimension divided attention is administered instead. The test duration is approximately 113 minutes for the standard form and 37 minutes for the screening form.

References can be found here: Literature