Air Force Pilot Personality: Hard Data on the "Right Stuff"

Abstract

Three-hundred and fifty Air Force pilots undergoing Undergraduate Pilot Training were administered the Personality Research Form (PRF) and the Millon Clinical Multiaxial Inventory (MCMI) within the first four weeks of training. Pilots were significantly different from non-flying college students on several PRF scales. Cluster analyses indicated that three very distinct personality types exist in the data. These types were supported through multiple cross-validations. Descriptions of pilot personality types are given in terms of PRF and MCMI personality variables. The accuracy of prevailing stereotypes is examined in light of the data. Implications for future research and pilot selection criteria are discussed.

Personality Profiles of Experienced U.S. Army Aviators Across Mission Platforms

“…While studies have found that aviators often report trait levels that distinguish them from the general public (Fitzgibbons et al, 2004), caution should be exercised in attempting to generalize one personality profile to all aviators (Retzlaff & Gibertini, 1987). A common finding is that aviators seem to group around certain clusters of personality traits (Kanki & Palmer, 1993;Retzlaff & Gibertini).…”

“…A common finding is that aviators seem to group around certain clusters of personality traits (Kanki & Palmer, 1993;Retzlaff & Gibertini). The conclusion has been that these clusters of traits can predict which aviators are likely to have the "right stuff' or the "wrong stuff' in terms of performance (Picano, 1991;Retzlaff & Gibertini).…”

“…Rather than finding one personality profile that could be generalized to all of the aviators, they found that the trait levels reported by these aviators produced three clusters of traits they labeled "wrong stuff," "companyman," and "right stuff' in terms of characteristics they perceived as being most conducive to performance as aviators. Retzlaff and Gibertini (1987) offered a description of each group of aviators. The "wrong stuff' aviators comprised 21% of their sample and were described as being cautious, conforming, polite, compulsive, and retiring and they were lowest in achievement motivation.…”

“…The "three groups" findings of Retzlaff and Gibertini (1987) have been adopted in other research with aviators with some modification. For instance, "company-man" was changed to "no stuff' (Gregorich, Helmreich, Wilhelm, & Chidester, 1989).…”

“…Different personality instruments have yielded results that can be confusing or difficult to interpret in relation to job performance, especially since these instruments were designed for a clinical population with psychopathology (Dolgin, Kay, Langelier, Wasel, & Hoffman, 2002;King, McGlohn, & Retzlaff, 1997;Retzlaff & Gibertini, 1987). Findings using the MMPI, for example, have proposed that aviators were social, hysteric, aggressive, selfconfident, and intellectually-striving (e.g., Culpepper, Jennings, & Perry, 1972).…”