The DLR Institute of Aerospace Medicine is the national expert authority in the field of human factors relevant to aerospace. The expertise accumulated by the Institute is primarily used by national and international organizations (airlines and air traffic control) as well as public authorities (aviation authorities and space agencies).

The institute's Department of Aviation and Space Psychology is located in Hamburg and is largely responsible for personnel selection and certain areas of behavioural training for operation staff (helicopter and fixed wing pilots, air traffic controllers, astronauts). The department also provides customers like airforces, civil flight operations or airtraffic control organisations with psychometric methods if they want to create their own selection system (see Staff Selection). Scientific research goes along with the development of applications.

Aeronautics Division (Aircrew and Air Traffic Control) Aeronautics Division (Aircrew and Air Traffic Control) Staff selection and training are particularly important in the field of aeronautics as some 70% of all flying accidents are caused by human error. The increasing computerization and automation in the fields of aviation and air traffic control has led to a change in the distribution of roles between humans and engineering systems. Although new technologies have brought about a change in the professional requirements of pilots and air traffic controllers, at their actual place of work their main task will, as ever, involve bearing the responsibility for the entire system and thus ensuring the reliability and safety of air traffic. Full article

Space Division Selection and training of operational personnel (scientific astronauts) is also of prime importance in this division. Since 1977 DLR has been carrying out the selection procedure and team training courses for space missions. Full article

Target areas / Branches of research The Department of Aviation and Space Psychology at DLR is involved in many areas of research. Current research is taking place in the areas Selection and training of aviation personnel, aptitude assessment: development and optimization of methods, personnel development: human factors training, Intercultural transfer Full article

Major publications since 1998 Major publications since 1998 Full article