Researchers have developed a personality test that claims to differentiate between safe and unsafe pilots. They looked at specific coping patterns - the ways pilots process information and determine a course of action.  There are eight characteristics which "although present to some degree in most people, acquire unusual significance and must be present to an unusual degree for safe piloting".

According to their findings, the ideal safe pilot should be:

Cautious. Defined as a tolerance of danger without an interest in pursuit of danger. The researchers suggest that this balance is achieved through a strong sense of self confidence coupled with gratification from mastering complex situations to reduce the risk, rather than from the risk itself.

Orderly. Every aspect of a flight, from preflight planning through final engine shutdown, involves checklists and procedures that are followed exactly.

Deliberate. This includes the ability to balance the twin concerns of taking the time to consider and evaluate substantial amounts of information while still taking action in a timely manner. The alternative extremes - impulsive action or immobilized inaction - can have disastrous results.

Perceptive. Actively soliciting information from all available sources.

Objective. Staying emotionally neutral while assessing information.

Interpersonally Objective. Keeping channels of
communication open without losing objectivity in interpreting what others are saying.

Committed to the life of a pilot.

More cautious than ambitious. Putting safety ahead of meeting a schedule or reaching a destination.