An Improved Automated Selection System for Navy Pilots.
Abstract
Since 1947, the Navy has relied on the Aviation Qualification Test (AQT) of general ability and the Flight Aptitude Rating (FAR) -- a composite of mechanical comprehension, spatial aptitude, and biographical tests--to select naval aviators. While this selection system has served the Navy well, the failure rate of pilot selectees has remained consistently high (although certainly less than the attrition rate before using a selection test battery), averaging 20-25% over the last 20 years. Two projects at the Laboratory that have demonstrated the potential for the improved prediction of both undergraduate and fleet flight performance are a naval aviator selection program and a fleet performance prediction program. Results from these two computerized projects are particularly exciting because for the first time in 40 years we have demonstrated that cognitive and one-dimensional tracking tasks account for increased variance in predicting completion of primary flight training. That is, the tests predict those individuals who will pass or fail flight training, even after their initial selection using the present selection battery, the AQT/FAR. Alternately, using multidimensional tracking and multitask tests, we have demonstrated the ability to predict an individual's flight grade and the number of flight hours required to complete primary training. Finally, certain of the multitask tests even predict the air combat maneuvering performance of fleet pilots as they perform on instrumented ranges. Keywords: Pilot selection; Personnel selection; Aptitude. (kt)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jun 14, 1988
- Accession Number
- ADA203438
Entities
People
- Ray Griffin
Organizations
- Naval Aerospace Medical Research Laboratory