Association for Aviation Psychology

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The Association for Aviation Psychology (AAP) is a non-profit professional organization, founded in 1964. Our purpose is to promote aviation psychology and related aerospace disciplines. We address four specific areas:

• Dissemination of knowledge

• Meetings and publications

• Improved education and research

• Application of psychological principles to aviation safety and welfare

Dissemination of Knowledge
We publish a newsletter several times a year to keep the membership informed of issues and events. We promote the International Journal of Aviation Psychology, and several members of the editorial board are affiliated with AAP. All members receive the journal quarterly and are encouraged to publish in it.

Meetings and Publications
Each year we hold a business meeting followed by a dinner or informal reception. This meeting is usually held on Tuesday evening during the week of the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society Annual Meeting in the same city as that meeting. In April or May of the odd numbered years (May 2011 is the next meeting) the association sponsors the International Symposium on Aviation Psychology, organized by Wright State University. Attendance typically includes practitioners and academics from across the globe.

Improved Education and Research
The association provides assistance for student attendance at the International Symposium on Aviation Psychology.

Application of Psychological Principles to Aviation Safety and Welfare
Our members work in a diverse range of aviation fields, including flight-deck design, pilot selection and training, aviation safety research, maintenance human factors, cabin safety, air traffic control, and accident investigation.

Our Membership
Our members come from universities, government, airlines, the aerospace industry, research organizations and consulting companies. Our members include psychologists, pilots, researchers, air traffic controllers, maintenance technicians, cabin safety specialists, safety investigators, and flight instructors. The association is based in the United States, but we have members in 29 countries.

Some of our members are also affiliated with The American Psychological Association (APA), The American Psychological Society (APS), The Human Factors and Ergonomics Society (HFES), and The International Ergonomics Association (IEA). We differ from these organizations in that we focus specifically on human activities related to the operation and maintenance of equipment within aviation environments.