PSYCHOLOPHYSIOLOGICAL CRITERIA FOR ASSESSING THE SAFE PSYCHO-EMOTIONAL STATE OF AVIATION PERSONNEL: CURRENT STATE OF THE ISSUE

Abstract

The article examines the fundamental issue of assessing the psycho-emotional state of aviation professionals, which constitutes a critical element in ensuring the overall reliability of aviation systems. Despite the unprecedented level of technological sophistication of modern aircraft, flight safety remains closely dependent on the functional state of the human operator. The existing medical certification system remains largely conservative: it is primarily focused on identifying and documenting already existing clinical pathologies, often overlooking preclinical and transient changes in functional state caused by fatigue or stress. The article provides a detailed analysis of the evolution of approaches adopted by international regulatory organizations (ICAO, EASA) to determining professional fitness. It is proposed that the psycho-emotional state should be viewed not merely as the absence of psychiatric disorders, but as a complex and dynamic characteristic of personnel reliability. The feasibility of applying an integrated conceptual assessment model that combines clinical and physiological, cognitive, psychological, and professional-operational metrics for the timely identification of risks of functional maladaptation is substantiated. Particular attention is paid to the prospects for implementing objective psychophysiological indicators, digital monitoring technologies, and standardized assessment methods capable of ensuring the early detection of adverse changes in the functional state of aviation personnel. The practical significance of the study lies in providing a scientific basis for improving medical certification procedures, enhancing the effectiveness of preventive measures, and minimizing the human factor as one of the leading risk factors for aviation occurrences.