Compilation of Pilot Personality Norms
Abstract
Aviators are a highly selected and distinguished occupational group, with Air Force pilots being at or near the apex. In this high-risk profession, errors can lead to significant costs in terms of human life, international relations, and national security. Furthermore, human error is often a causal factor in pilot training and mission-related aviation mishaps. Due to these high costs and risks, an understanding of the personality characteristics of pilots is a critical part of the selection process and the aeromedical waiver process. Because pilot scores are usually very high on desirable qualities and low on undesirable qualities, nationally representative norms can be misleading. Changes in scores towards the nationally normed mean could indicate a serious decrement. This decrement, although reducing the pilot to the average range when compared to the general population, may be an indication that flying duties will not be performed safely and effectively. Pilot training candidates were administered the Armstrong Laboratory Aviation Personality Survey, the NEO Personality Inventory-Revised, and the Personality Assessment Inventory prior to the 53 wk of Specialized Undergraduate Pilot Training. Descriptive statistics were computed for the scales of the three tests for men, women, and the combined sample. Percentile tables were then created to show the percentile corresponding to a particular raw score on each scale. Profile sheets were also created to show the T-score corresponding to a raw score for the pilot sample to help clinicians chart an individual's scores. This allows for a better comparison of the aviator to a pool of aviators. Vignettes are included to illustrate the utility of these normative tables for clinical and occupational evaluation. A forthcoming study will present similar analyses for cognitive ability tests.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jul 01, 2011
- Accession Number
- ADA554043
Entities
People
- Erica Barto
- Malcolm J. Ree
- Mark S. Teachout
- Raymond E. King
Organizations
- United States Air Force School of Aerospace Medicine