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Required Personality Traits for Airline Pilots

By: Dawsar Abdelhadi

Edwards School of Business

Comm 105: Organizational Behavior

Leslie Martin

June 11, 2023

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Every career requires specific personality traits that aid employees to be professional in

their jobs. Airline pilots have a great responsibility for transporting hundreds of passengers daily.

They must perform many duties to ensure the safety of the flight. They start their day by creating

a flight plan, checking the weather, inspecting the aircraft before takeoff, and confirming the

plane has the appropriate weight/fuel amount (Pavlou, 2020). Furthermore, the pilot contacts the

airport tower regularly before takeoff, during flight, and landing (Pavlou, 2020). Lastly, they are

responsible for performing a safe landing and completing a report at the end of the flight

(Pavlou, 2020). All of these responsibilities require appropriate personality traits that ensures the

success of an airline pilot. This essay analyzes the 5-factor personality model and argues that

consciousness, agreeableness, low neuroticism, openness to experience, and extraversion are

prerequisites for success in the duties of professional airline pilots.

The five-factor model of personalities covers common personalities including

consciousness, agreeableness, neuroticism, openness to experience, and extraversion. This model

was created by experts 1700 years ago to categorize most individuals' personality traits

(McShane et al., 2021). All these traits are common across all cultures, so this model does not

pose any potential problems in terms of cultural differences. This model is beneficial for airline

companies as it aids in the process of hiring qualified candidates. The most predictive trait for

employee performance is consciousness (McShane et al., 2021). The next predictive personality

traits are agreeableness, extraversion, openness to experience, and emotional stability (McShane

et al., 2021).

Consciousness has many valuable personality traits that are crucial for an airline pilot’s

success. It describes people who are organized, dependable, goal focused, thorough, disciplined,

and industrious. The traits listed above are essential for pilots since they help them perform many
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tasks. According to a study, “flight training performance showed a positive relationship with

consciousness” (Breuer et al., 2023). Airline pilots need to be goal focused by working hard to

“achieve their goals and at the same time give respect to others' desires” (Bor et al., 2002).

Moreover, pilots’ duties require methodical procedures to ensure the safety of the flight, such as

following a specific checklist before takeoff, during flight, and landing. According to Aerospace

clinical psychology, pilots are “mission-oriented compartmentalizers, systematic, and

methodological” (Bor et al., 2002). Self-discipline is an essential trait for airline pilots as it

allows them to make safety checks and keep vigilant to prevent disasters (Bor et al., 2002). A

high level of organization among airline pilots enables them to achieve professional success.

Social loafing is an issue that occurs when teams put minimal effort into job duties (McShane et

al., 2021). Individuals with less consciousness are more susceptible to social loafing as they are

less dependable, goal-focused, disciplined, and industrious (McShane et al., 2021). Organization

is critical for pilots as it helps them “find information quickly” (Predicting Training Success

With the NEO-PI-R, 2004). Also, pilots need to be dependable as airlines and passengers rely on

them daily. According to a study in India, pilots need to be “thinking and high in stress tolerance,

resilient, decisive, practical, sober, and dependable” (Bor et al., 2002). Being goal-focused, a

team player, methodical, self-disciplined, organized, and dependable are key traits that make

pilots excel in their job.

Neuroticism classifies people as anxious, insecure, self-conscious, depressed, and

temperamental. Neuroticism has negative personality traits that don’t fit the duties of an airline

pilot. Considering the high levels of stress associated with flying, successful pilots tend to have

low neuroticism. A study by Herold et al. (2002) “revealed negative relationships between pilot

training success and pre-accession trait neuroticism” (Breuer et al., 2023). Airline pilots need to
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cope with stress effectively as they are faced with many stressful situations daily. “Stress coping

strategies are related to the personality of pilots and crew interaction style” (Bor et al., 2002).

Also, when pilots are overwhelmed, they may internalize their feelings and develop depression,

which poses a danger to both passengers as well as the crew (Bor et al., 2002) . For example, in a

case of suicide attempt on Egyptian air flight 990, “there has been conjecture that the pilot

intentionally crashed the aircraft” (Predicting Training Success With the NEO-PI-R, 2004). As a

result of low neuroticism, pilots experience fewer frustrations during their daily lives, thus

improving their interpersonal relationships. Safer pilots have a lower vulnerability which is

“critical in a circumstance where there is an emergency while flying” (Predicting Training

Success With the NEO-PI-R, 2004). Moreover, an anxious personality trait is undesirable as it

can lead pilots to experience more stress. For example, pilots “were lower on anxiety, self-

consciousness, vulnerability, warmth and tender mindedness.” (Bor et al., 2002). Having high

neuroticism makes airline pilots unproductive as it causes stress and anxiety which impairs their

wellbeing and flying abilities.

Extraversion is associated with people who are outgoing and receive their energy from

the external world. Effective pilots are usually extroverted as their job duties include social

interactions. For example, pilots are required to communicate with a co-pilot, contact the airport

tower, and notify passengers with certain information. According to a study, a higher number of

pilots were labelled as extroverts (48%) (Bor et al., 2002). Being talkative allows student pilots

to learn better as they are “more active and ask more questions during job training” (Breuer et

al., 2023). Pilots who are more extroverted tend to be more satisfied with their job. The tendency

of extroverts to experience positive emotions translates into a higher level of job satisfaction

(Slišković et al., 2022). Moreover, extroverted pilots tend to experience less stress as they
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experience better interpersonal relationships (Slišković et al., 2022). An extravert is likely to

have a greater tendency to take on leadership roles, which are essential for the captain of the

plane (Predicting Training Success With the NEO-PI-R, 2004). Lastly, extraversion is associated

with better performance as it “allows for good and frequent communication.” (Bor et al., 2002).

Extraversion is a helpful trait for pilots as it aids in their training, job satisfaction, stress

management, leadership, and performance.

Agreeableness personality traits are essential to ensure the success of pilots in the airline

industry. People who are trusting, helpful, good-natured, considerate, selfless and flexible tend to

have high agreeableness. Trust is a critical component of a pilot’s job as co-pilots depend on

each other to successfully fly the plane. According to NASA, “trusting one's co-workers is a

critical element for successful flight operation” (Predicting Training Success With the NEO-PI-

R, 2004). A high level of agreeableness tends to lead to individuals being more straightforward,

which in turn enhances their performance at work. For example, straightforwardness is

“important for open communication and group relations” (Predicting Training Success With the

NEO-PI-R, 2004). Pilots must take some risks occasionally. However, taking many risks can be

dangerous, especially for the safety and comfort of passengers. Pilots with high agreeableness

are safer as they “are generally less likely to engage in known risk” (Predicting Training Success

With the NEO-PI-R, 2004). Moreover, effective listening skills are necessary for pilots as they

frequently communicate with coworkers and the airport tower. According to Minnesota state

university, pilots “need to be good listeners if they are to be good communicators” (Winter et al.,

2021). Pilots who score higher on agreeableness tend to be efficient in supervisory roles as they

are trusting helpful, considerate, flexible, and selfless. Some statements indicate that the pilot

and navigator supervisory performance ratings were significantly correlated with the level of
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agreeableness of the personnel (Barron et al., 2016). Lastly, pilots with high agreeableness tend

to have higher job satisfaction which benefits airline companies. This occurs as job satisfaction

motivates pilots “to achieve good interpersonal relationships” (Predicting Training Success With

the NEO-PI-R, 2004). Agreeableness personality traits are useful for pilots as they improve their

trust and performance through straightforwardness, safety by not taking many risks, and

communication through effective listening.

Openness to Experience is a critical personality trait for pilots that describes individuals

who are creative, curious, unconventional, and imaginative. These personality traits play an

important role in the success of airline pilots. According to a study by Herold et al. “revealed

positive relationships between pilot training success and openness (r = 0.31) as assessed via

questionnaires” (Breuer et al., 2023). Openness to experience is linked to job satisfaction as it

predicts “career advancement in managerial and professional positions, which in turn contributes

to job satisfaction” (Fumero et al., 2008). Moreover, these personality traits influence decision-

making positively. According to a study published by Riaz et al, openness to experience

“positively predict an intuitive and fast decision-making style, they use their intellect and

creativity to rationalize” (Fumero et al., 2008). Lastly, pilots must deal with many challenges and

problems regularly, which requires problem-solving skills. According to a study, there seems to

be a correlation between people with more experience openness and those who are more likely to

think 'outside the box' (Fumero et al., 2008). Pilots who are equipped with openness to

experience personality traits are more successful as it enhances job satisfaction, decision-making,

and problem-solving.

In this essay, an analysis of the five-factor personality model is reviewed. Consciousness,

agreeableness, low neuroticism, openness to experience, and extraversion lead to a successful

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career as a professional airline pilot. Firstly, as an airline pilot must be goal-oriented, a team

player, methodical, self-disciplined, organized, dependable, and self-disciplined in order to

succeed. For example, pilots are required to be methodical by strictly following a checklist

before taking off, during flight, and preparing for landing (Bor et al., 2002). Secondly, stress and

anxiety caused by high neuroticism impair the wellbeing and flying ability of airline pilots. For

example, pilots may internalize their feelings and become depressed if they don’t cope with

stress effectively (Bor et al., 2002). Thirdly, the trait of extraversion is beneficial to pilots as it

aids them in training, job satisfaction, stress management, leadership, and performance. For

instance, extroverted pilots perform better at training because they are actively participating in

job training and asking more questions (Breuer et al., 2023). Fourthly, Pilots benefit from

agreeableness because it improves trust, performance, and safety by taking fewer risks, as well as

communication through appropriate listening. Successful pilots must posses effective listening

skills to communicate with co-pilots and airport tower. Lastly, pilots with openness to

experiencing personality traits are more satisfied, better decision makers, and problem solving.

Also, pilots can solve problems more quickly and cope more effectively with unexpected

challenges if they are open to new experiences. The big five personality model is useful as it aids

in the hiring process of pilots and can be predictive of their performance.

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Annotated Bibliography

Barron, L. G., Carretta, T. R., & Bonto-Kane, M. V. A. (2016). Relations of Personality Traits to

Military Aviator Performance. Aviation Psychology and Applied Human Factors, 6(2),

57–67. https://doi.org/10.1027/2192-0923/a000100

Breuer, S., Ortner, T. M., Gruber, F. M., Hofstetter, D., & Scherndl, T. (2023b). Aviation and

personality: Do measures of personality predict pilot training success? Updated meta-

analyses. Personality and Individual Differences, 202, 111918.

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.paid.2022.111918

Fitzgibbons, A., Davis, D., & Schutte, P. C. (2004). Pilot personality profile using the NEO-PI-

R (No. NASA/TM-2004-213237).

Fumero, A., Santamaría, C., & Johnson-Laird, P. (2008). The effect of personality on

reasoning. Nature Precedings, 1-1.

Ganesh, A., & Joseph, C. (2005). Personality studies in aircrew: An overview. Indian Journal of

Aerospace Medicine, 49(1), 54-62.

McChesney, J. E.-M. (2017). The Hogan Development Survey: Personality in Selecting and

Training Aviation Pilots. ProQuest Dissertations Publishing.

McShane, S. L., Tasa, K., & Steen, S. L. (2021). Canadian Organizational Behaviour.

Pavlou, C. (2020). Airline Pilot job description. Recruiting Resources: How to Recruit and Hire

Better. https://resources.workable.com/airline-pilot-job-description#Responsibilities
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Slišković, A., Russo, A., & Mulić, R. (2022). The Relationship Between the Big Five Personality

Traits and Job Satisfaction–A Pilot Study on a Sample of Croatian

Seafarers. Transactions on Maritime Science, 11(01), 0-0.

Winter, S., Keebler, J., Lamb, T., Simonson, R., Thomas, R., & Rice, S. (2021). The Influence of

Personality, Safety Attitudes, and Risk Perception of Pilots: A Modeling and Mediation

Perspective. International Journal of Aviation, Aeronautics, and Aerospace.

https://doi.org/10.15394/ijaaa.2021.1594