Aviation
psychology:
area of intervention
and prospects

Giacomo Belloni

Posizione

Senior aviation professional with over three decades of experience in the industry. I combine high-level operational expertise with an interdisciplinary academic background.
His work focuses on aviation safety, advanced training methodologies, and the integration of advanced/intelligent technologies to support human performance in complex environments.
He actively contribute to the academic milieu and institutional innovation in aviation and related domains.
Presently he works as Airline Captain, Instructor, Examiner, and Senior Examiner for the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) and the General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) of the UAE. Currently, He serves as a Standard Trainer and fly the Airbus A350.
In addition to 17.000 flight hours, he has accumulated almost 6,000 hours of flight simulator training and hold the qualifications of Flight Simulator Evaluator and Training Developer in the EBT context.
He held numerous managerial positions throughout his career. He served as Fleet Manager and Pilot Manager of the entire Airbus fleet at his national company, overseeing 100 aircraft, more than 1,000 pilots and approximately 500 flights a day.
He is an expert in Aviation Safety, having served as Deputy Safety Manager at an important training organisation.
His academic background is interdisciplinary and extensive: He holds 4 University degrees:

• Two degrees in the Humanities (Philosophy and Historical-Artistic Sciences) from the University of Rome "La Sapienza", both awarded with highest honours (110/110 cum laude);
• A master's degree in Air Safety Management from City, University of London.
• A Master of Business Administration (MBA) from York St. John University.

He is a Doctoral Graduate Researcher at the Open University of the Netherlands in Heerlen. Together with the publication that will be presented to the 2nd IT-APA Convention "Anthropomorphic AI: Sociopathic AI Features as Predictors of Career Opportunities and Threats Perceived by Pilots in Commercial Aviation", in the last year, he has published 8 academic works with scienific journals.
He is the co-founder of HUMAI Research FZC, a human-focused research group that studies how advanced technologies can drive innovation for effective and efficient human performance training in today’s complex professional environments. Among its key activities, HUMAI Research seeks to implement Evidence-Based Training (EBT), emphasising the central role of humans in the decision-making process with the support of advanced technologies.

Fabiola Cardea

Clinical psychologist and Safety Director Italian CAA

Psicologa, specialista in psicologia clinica e psicoterapeuta, dottore di ricerca nell’ambito della safety presso l’Università di Roma Sapienza con una tesi sulla gestione degli errori nei sistemi organizzativi ad alta complessità.
Psicoterapeuta EMDR, psicologia dell’emergenza e coordinatore (rapporteur) del gruppo di lavoro ICAO sulla Family Assistance (ICAO Facilitation Panel, Working Group on Assistance to Aircraft Accident Victims and their Families).
Dirigente in ENAC, attuale Direttore Safety, nel corso della sua carriera è stata anche dirigente aeroportuale, direttore del personale, Direttore Sicurezza e Logistica, program manager sviluppo risorse umane.

Christian Czihak

Aviation Psychologist, AAPA (Austrian Aviation Psychology Association) Vice President

Christian Czihak is an Aviation and I-O Psychologist currently serving as Vice President of the Austrian Aviation Psychology Association (AAPA). With more than 25 years of professional experience in the aviation sector, he has developed extensive expertise across a broad range of operational and regulatory environments.
His career has encompassed roles within the Austrian Air Force, international air racing events, commercial airlines, corporate aviation organizations, and air traffic control services. In addition, he has served as a consultant to the Austrian Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), collaborating closely with Aviation Medical Examiners (AMEs) and Human Factors specialists on matters related to aviation safety, human performance, and regulatory compliance.
His multidisciplinary background provides a comprehensive perspective on the psychological and human factors dimensions of aviation operations.

Massimiliano Di Carlo

Emergency Psychologist, Psychoterapist, Aviation Psychologist

Psychologist, Gestalt psychotherapist, and emergency psychologist. His areas of expertise include psychotraumatology, psychosocial support in critical events, operator training, and the management of psychological aspects in complex emergencies.
He is a member of the staff of the President of the Consiglio Nazionale dell’Ordine degli Psicologi (National Council of Psychologist’s Order) for the emergency area, and a member of the CNOP technical working group on "Humanitarian Psychology and International Conflicts." He serves as President of Psicologi per i Popoli – Lazio Region (OdV), and was a member of the Technical/Scientific Committee on "Emergency Psychology and Psychotraumatology" of the Order of Psychologists of Lazio, contributing to the drafting of the "Good Practices in Emergency" guidelines.
In the field of aviation psychology, he collaborates with ITAPA in the training of operators and peer supporters for the assistance of passengers, families, crew members, and personnel involved in critical incidents, with particular focus on communication, psychological first aid, and the organisation and coordination of intervention in the event of an aviation accident.
He carries out clinical work, training, and supervision for organisations, institutions, and professionals operating in high emotional and operational impact settings.

Donatella Fantone

Aviation Psychologist, Emergency Psychologist, Business Coach

An EAAP (European Association for Aviation Psychology)-accredited aviation psychologist and mental health professional working with several Italian and international airlines in their Pilot Support Programs, she specializes in psychological assessment, drawing on more than thirty years of flight experience.
She is a trainer in organizational and aviation contexts on Human Factors topics, with a particular focus on stress management, conflict resolution, and communication.
She is the Head of Career Guidance at IT-APA.
She is a member of the IT-APA COORDINATORS Team for the psychological support service provided to survivors and family members of victims in the event of an aircraft accident, and she oversees training for SAT and TEC teams in the field of Emergency Response Planning (ERP) within airlines

Maggie Kanka

Aviation Psychologist, AAPA (Austrian Aviation Psychology Association) President

Margit (Maggie) Kanka is an Aviation and I-O Psychologist at a major European airline and currently serves as Chairperson of the Austrian Aviation Psychology Association (AAPA).
With nearly 20 years of professional experience, she has provided psychological support and consultation to passenger air transport organizations, with a particular focus on promoting and maintaining mental health within the aviation industry. Her work centers on the application of human factors principles to enhance flight safety, as well as fostering effective interdisciplinary collaboration between Aviation Medical Examiners (AMEs) and aviation psychologists.
In addition to her professional practice, she is committed to the education and development of future professionals, teaching at the university level and supervising bachelor's and master's theses. Through her academic and professional activities, she actively contributes to advancing the field of aviation psychology and cultivating the next generation of specialists.

Nicoletta Lombardo

ENAV Head of Human Factor Dept., Aviation Psychologist

Nicoletta is an Aviation Psychologist. She is the Head of Human Factors in ENAV, leading a team of 2 Human Factors specialists, 4 Aviation Psychologist Consultant, 51 TRM Facilitator and 69 Peers minimising human error and maximising human performance in ATC in ENAV. She leads ENAV work on Stress and Fatigue Management, Peers Support, Team Resource Management, Crew Resource management, Automation and Human Performance.
Full member of the European Association for Aviation Psychology, she cared her instruction in the Istitute of Air Navigation Services (IANS), Eurocontrol, and in the Singapore Aviation Academy.
In previous roles, Nicoletta worked as a free lance in a multinational company called SHL. ShL provides workplace talent assessment solutions including ability and personality tests, psychometric assessment. She was an assessor, a trainer and a recruiter, specially for aeronautical profiles (e.g. pilots, air traffic controllers, maintainers, cabin crew).

Anna Paladino

Psychotherapist and emergency psychologist

Anna Paladino is a psychologist and psychotherapist.
She worked for 12 years as a neuropsychologist at the Policlinico of Milan, engaging in both clinical practice and research projects related to neurodegenerative diseases. Since 2004, she has been involved in laboratory activities and internship tutoring in psychology at the University of Bergamo. Her interests and expertise focus on stuttering, eating disorders, and psychotraumatology.
For approximately 10 years, she has collaborated on a project aimed at integrating medical doctors and psychologists within primary care. She is an emergency psychologist and, with SIPEm SOS Lombardia (Italian Society of Emergency Psychology), she has participated in interventions in various emergency situations; within SIPEm, she is responsible for training and internships.
She has published several works in the fields of neuropsychology and psychotherapy and has been involved in teaching activities for Master's programs in neuropsychology of well-being and emergency psychology.
Member of the IT-APA team providing psychological support to accident victims and their families; member of the "IT-APA for Disability" working group for drafting guidelines on intervention and assistance for air crash victims with non-motor disabilities.
Shelives and works in Milan.

Alessandra Rea

Aviation Psychologist/ Work and organizational Psychologist / Psychoterapist / IT-APA President

Alessandra Rea is an aviation psychologist, President and co-founder of IT-APA (Italia Associazione Psicologia Aviazione). She works in air traffic control field, airline operations, maintenance and aviation industry. With 27 years of experience Alessandra has competencies related to different area in which aviation psychology is declined: HF training, selection and personnel assessment, No Technical Skills development, coaching.
Currently she works in air traffic control with activity of Human Factor training and Notechs development with simulator setting. In the field of airline she works for Air Dolomiti where she manage the Support Program with the role of aviation psychologist according to EU Reg. 1042/2018. Alessandra is an expert of helicopters operations and organizations and she has experience as HF Manager and project manager for HF and CRM departments development. Alessandra is an operational psychologist too, she has been working for 10 years in SHL international Company, achieving competencies in selection, Assessment Centre, training and coaching for human resource.
Since 1996 she is an EAAP member and in 1998 participated to birth of AEPA- Asociación Española de Psicología de Aviación. From that time Alessandra is actively involved in the international aviation psychology community, confronting with collegues about HF issues and aviation psychologist role. She is a cognitive-behavioural psychotherapist under training.

Laura Ricci

Developmental and educational psychologist, emergency psychologist

Laura Ricci is a developmental and educational psychologist and emergency psychologist.
An expert in perinatal psychology, she has collaborated with educational services for children aged 0-6 years as a coordinator and trainer for nearly 20 years. As a freelancer, she provides psychological support to children and adolescents and parenting support. Since 2019, she has collaborated with regional training institutions as a teacher on topics related to typical and atypical child development, conflict management, risk management, and emergencies. Since 2023, she has worked as an emergency psychologist at a rehabilitation center for patients with disabilities and psychiatric problems.
Since 2008, she has been a member and board member of the association Psychologists for the People – Lazio Region with which she has participated in several emergency interventions nationwide. Throughout the national health emergency, she worked at the COVID toll-free number managed by Ares118, providing telephone psychological support.
Member of the IT-APA team providing psychological support to accident victims and their families, she coordinates the "IT-APA for Disability" working group for the drafting of guidelines on intervention and assistance for air crash victims with non-motor disabilities.
She lives and works in Rome.

Simonetta Salvatori

Aviation Psychologist/ Psychoterapist/ Emergency Psychologist/ IT-APA Board member ITAPA

Dr. Simonetta Salvatori is a psychologist and a psychotherapist with a bioenergetic orientation, specialized in the treatment of anxiety disorders and personality disorders. She is an Aviation Psychologist with over 25 years of experience in the aeronautical sector. Throughout her career, she has developed solid expertise in Human Factors, recruitment and selection, training, and emergency management, integrating operational experience in aviation with clinical practice.
Her work is particularly focused on the prevention of psychological consequences following critical events. She serves as Head of Training for Assistance to Aircraft Accident Victims and their Families, and as a Support Programme Trainer, responsible for preparing professionals who provide support to individuals involved in traumatic events, as well as developing peer support programmes for aviation personnel. She is also involved in CRM (Crew Resource Management) training and in promoting a safety culture through the Human Factors approach.
She is Head of Training for IT-APA Italia (Italian Association of Aviation Psychology), of which she is also a Board Member. She is also a Board Member of Psychologists for the People Lazio within the field of Emergency Psychology, actively contributing to the dissemination of best practices in aviation psychology, crisis management, and psychological support in highly complex environments.
In her work, she integrates clinical expertise and aeronautical experience to promote safety, psychological well-being, and resilience among professionals operating in complex and high-responsibility contexts.

Micaela Scialanga

Aviation psychologist/ IT-APA secretary general/ Airline captain

Micaela Scialanga is an airline captain with 35 years experience on medium and long-haul passenger and cargo flights, European Aviation Psychologist (accredited by EAAP European Association for Aviation Psychology) and an expert in Human Factor in Aviation.
She has co-designed and implemented the Support Programme IT-APA in fulfillment of the EASA EU 1046/2018 requirement for several Italian Airlines and she is currently national IT-APA coordinator for the psychologists Support Programme Team.
She is project leader of design and implementation of psychological free support Program “Here I Am” for Italian civil aviation professionals, the free training programme in CRM elements “Guarda Avanti” (Look Forward) for secondary public school and “Viaggio nelle professioni” (A journey in the , a program that aims to faciltate the familiarization of psychologists with aviation professions.
She is IT-APA coordinator for Psychological Support to victims and their relatives in case of aviation accident in fullfillment of ENAC Regolamento “Redazione e Gestione del Piano di Assistenza alle Vittime di Incidente Aereo e Loro Familiari”.
She works as a freelance in the personnel selection process in aviation according to reg. EU1042/2018.

Martina Tinè

Clinical psychologist and Emergency psychologist / Psychoterapist

Martina Tinè is a clinical psychologist and psychoanalytically oriented psychotherapist who specializes in the assessment, planning, and delivery of individual and group therapy in clinical and aviation settings; she practices in the Venice area.
Her private clinical practice is conducted both in person and online and is primarily dedicated to prevention, counseling, and clinical work with adolescents, young adults, adults, and groups. She conducts psychodiagnostic assessments to evaluate, from psychological and psychopathological perspectives, the individual’s cognitive, emotional, neuropsychological, and relational functioning. The aim is to formulate a precise diagnosis and guide therapeutic treatment with a focus on the individual’s personality structure, attitudes, and relational patterns.
Researcher on the project conducted with IT-APA and in collaboration with Air Dolomiti company titled “Flight Operations and Emotions Management: The Impact of Emotional Intelligence on Pilots.” Member of the “IT-APA for Disability” working group for the drafting of guidelines on intervention and assistance for air crash victims with non-motor disabilities.
Emergency psychologist: providing assistance and support to victims of aircraft accidents and their families.
Clinical Aviation Psychologist (CAP) and Psychotherapist at the certified aviation operator Como Seaplanes and Air Service Center.