Tags

Type your tag names separated by a space and hit enter

Psychological test profiles of USAF pilots before training vs. type aircraft flown.
Aviat Space Environ Med. 2005 May; 76(5):463-8.AS

Abstract

BACKGROUND

Student pilots in the USAF are selected for fighter, bomber, or airlift/tanker tracks after basic flight training. This selection needs to be accurate in order to save time and training costs. The objective of this study was to determine whether significant psychological differences exist between pilots flying different types of aircraft and whether these differences could predict who will become a fighter pilot (FP) vs. a bomber pilot (BP) or airlift/tanker pilot (AP).

METHODS

Pilots who took the Multidimensional Aptitude Battery (MAB) and NEO Personality Inventory Revised (NEO-PI-R) were linked to their aircraft type using primary USAF specialty codes. The data for 2105 pilots was analyzed using MANOVA and Bonferroni post hoc analysis to evaluate for relationships between test results and airframe assignment.

RESULTS

A statistically significant difference was found between FP and AP pilot means on all segments of the MAB and portions of the NEO-PI-R. The mean scores of the FP group were higher on all IQ facets of the MAB. On the NEO-PI-R, the FP group scored lower on agreeableness and higher on conscientiousness.

DISCUSSION

The homogeneity of the pilot population gives the statistical difference in scores limited practical value for predicting which aircraft a pilot is best suited to fly. However, scores on these tests clearly could be a useful adjunct, along with flight training grades and personal desires, in determining a student pilot's potential for success in the multi-tasking environment of the fighter pilot.

Authors+Show Affiliations

Boyd JE
USAF School of Aerospace Medicine, Brooks City-Base, TX, USA. james.boyd@hurlburt.af.mil
Patterson JC
No affiliation info available
Thompson BT
No affiliation info available

MeSH

AdultAerospace MedicineAircraftCohort StudiesFemaleHumansIntelligence TestsMaleMilitary PersonnelMultivariate AnalysisPersonality TestsPersonnel SelectionPsychological TestsRetrospective StudiesUnited States

Pub Type(s)

Evaluation Study
Journal Article

Language

eng

PubMed ID

15892544

Citation

Boyd, James E., et al. "Psychological Test Profiles of USAF Pilots Before Training Vs. Type Aircraft Flown." Aviation, Space, and Environmental Medicine, vol. 76, no. 5, 2005, pp. 463-8.
Boyd JE, Patterson JC, Thompson BT. Psychological test profiles of USAF pilots before training vs. type aircraft flown. Aviat Space Environ Med. 2005;76(5):463-8.
Boyd, J. E., Patterson, J. C., & Thompson, B. T. (2005). Psychological test profiles of USAF pilots before training vs. type aircraft flown. Aviation, Space, and Environmental Medicine, 76(5), 463-8.
Boyd JE, Patterson JC, Thompson BT. Psychological Test Profiles of USAF Pilots Before Training Vs. Type Aircraft Flown. Aviat Space Environ Med. 2005;76(5):463-8. PubMed PMID: 15892544.
* Article titles in AMA citation format should be in sentence-case
TY - JOUR T1 - Psychological test profiles of USAF pilots before training vs. type aircraft flown. AU - Boyd,James E, AU - Patterson,John C, AU - Thompson,Bill T, PY - 2005/5/17/pubmed PY - 2005/8/2/medline PY - 2005/5/17/entrez SP - 463 EP - 8 JF - Aviation, space, and environmental medicine JO - Aviat Space Environ Med VL - 76 IS - 5 N2 - BACKGROUND: Student pilots in the USAF are selected for fighter, bomber, or airlift/tanker tracks after basic flight training. This selection needs to be accurate in order to save time and training costs. The objective of this study was to determine whether significant psychological differences exist between pilots flying different types of aircraft and whether these differences could predict who will become a fighter pilot (FP) vs. a bomber pilot (BP) or airlift/tanker pilot (AP). METHODS: Pilots who took the Multidimensional Aptitude Battery (MAB) and NEO Personality Inventory Revised (NEO-PI-R) were linked to their aircraft type using primary USAF specialty codes. The data for 2105 pilots was analyzed using MANOVA and Bonferroni post hoc analysis to evaluate for relationships between test results and airframe assignment. RESULTS: A statistically significant difference was found between FP and AP pilot means on all segments of the MAB and portions of the NEO-PI-R. The mean scores of the FP group were higher on all IQ facets of the MAB. On the NEO-PI-R, the FP group scored lower on agreeableness and higher on conscientiousness. DISCUSSION: The homogeneity of the pilot population gives the statistical difference in scores limited practical value for predicting which aircraft a pilot is best suited to fly. However, scores on these tests clearly could be a useful adjunct, along with flight training grades and personal desires, in determining a student pilot's potential for success in the multi-tasking environment of the fighter pilot. SN - 0095-6562 UR - https://www.unboundmedicine.com/medline/citation/15892544/Psychological_test_profiles_of_USAF_pilots_before_training_vs__type_aircraft_flown_ DB - PRIME DP - Unbound Medicine ER -