Pilot Personality and Training Outcomes
Abstract
The current study examined the relationship between personality tests and U.S. Air Force pilot training outcomes. Two computerized tests were used, the NEO Personality Inventory-Revised and the Armstrong Laboratory Aviation Personality Survey. In addition to the traditional pass/fail training outcome, the quality of passing as well as reasons for failure were examined. Outcome criteria for training graduates included class rank, academic grades, daily flying grades, and check ride grades. Reasons for failure included flying training deficiency and being "dropped on request." Correlations in samples of between 6,200 and 12,548 trainees across the tests showed small but important relationships with training outcomes. Compared to those passing training, students who failed due to flying training deficiency were less extraverted and confident as well as more depressed and deferent. Compared to passing students, those who dropped on request were less aggressive, impulsive, and risk taking. They were also more generally neurotic, orderly, affectively labile, and anxious. Higher class rank was associated with higher levels of conscientiousness and confidence as well as lower levels of negativity, affective lability, anxiety, and depression.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Aug 31, 2012
- Accession Number
- ADA571477
Entities
People
- Erica Barto
- Malcolm J. Ree
- Mark S. Teachout
- Paul Retzlaff
- Raymond E. King
Organizations
- United States Air Force School of Aerospace Medicine