An Evaluation of Three Possible Explanations of the Temporal Decay in Predicting Pilot Proficiency,
Abstract
The fact that Air Force pilot selection tests do not adequately predict pilot success in operational tactical units is consistent with the generally reported finding that correlations between ability measures and performance decrease over time. This effort investigated the validity of three explanations for this predictive decay: tasks are restructured during training, basic abilities are altered as a function of training, and both of these changes occur. Two groups of students were administered an extensive battery of ability tests at the beginning and again at the end of a 16-week period. The experimental subjects received basic flight training during this interval, whereas the control subjects did not. Support for the third hypothesis resulted from appropriate comparisons between the groups' pretest and posttest scores on ability measures, as well as analysis of the experimental group's flight training performance. The implication of this finding for both selection and training research is discussed. (Author)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Feb 01, 1971
- Accession Number
- AD0731191
Entities
People
- Charles L. Hulin
- Kenneth M. Alvares
Organizations
- University of Illinois Urbana–Champaign