Basic Attributes Tests (BAT) System: Development of an Automated Test Battery for Pilot Selection
Abstract
In 1955, the Air Force discontinued apparatus-based testing as a component of its aircrew selection and classification system due to administrative problems. Since then, the Air force has relied on paper-and- pencil test batteries such as the Air Force Officer Qualifying Test to select pilot and navigator trainees. Although the aircrew selection system without apparatus testing has demonstrated a reliable relationship with pilot training outcome, concern with attrition rates in pilot training, along with the development of computer technology, produced a renewed interest in the utility of psychomotor testing. As a result, a computer-based testing system, the Basic Attributes Tests (BAT) system, was developed to assess psychomotor skills, as well as a variety of psychological and cognitive attributes that are believed to be related to flight training performance. The events leading up to the development of the BAT system and its hardware and software specifications are reviewed. A brief summary of validation studies of the various tests also is provided.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Sep 01, 1987
- Accession Number
- ADA185649
Entities
People
- Thomas R. Carretta
Organizations
- Air Force Research Laboratory