Better Candidates Fly Fewer Training Hours: Another Time Testing Pays Off

Abstract

The relationship between Pilot Candidate Selection Method (PCSM) scores and the number of flying training hours required to complete United States Air Force Undergraduate Pilot Training (UPT) was investigated on a sample of 1,082 graduates. This was done to demonstrate that ability testing has real world correlates and that cost savings accrued as a result of ability testing. The criterion ‘extra flying hours’ was computed by subtracting each student's cumulative flying hours from the sample mean. The correlations (corrected for range restriction) between PCSM scores and primary and advanced flying training extra hours were −0.206 and −0.270, respectively. Demonstrating that UPT graduates with higher PCSM scores required fewer flying hours to complete training facilitates the estimation of the cost avoidance achieved by ability tests.

Multiple test batteries as predictors for pilot performance: A meta‐analytic investigation

“…A relevant example illustrating the common small magnitude of observed correlations between cognitive tests and pilot performance criteria is the AFOQT, the most investigated TB in aviation literature. Despite the continued revision and improvement of this TB across several forms, studies show generally a small magnitude for the test‐criterion correlations barely exceeding .10 (e.g., Arth, Steuck, Sorrentino, & Burke, ; Carretta, ; Carretta & Ree, , ; Duke & Ree, ). Observed correlations, however, show a substantial increase when they are corrected for attenuations such as measurement error and range restriction (Barron et al, ; Carretta, ; Olea & Ree, ).…”

“…Because most TBs assess skills and knowledge that have been established over an extended period of time, it was expected that they would have solid predictive relations with flying performance criteria. However, meta-analysis results have shown that the observed validities of cognitive abilities are modest at best, with correlations in the .10s to .30s range (e.g., Hunter & Burke, 1994;Martinussen, 1996;Martinussen & Torjussen, 1998 (Bartram, 1995); (c) BAT ; (d) TBAS (Carretta, 2005); (e) the U.S. Navy's Computer-Based Performance Test (Delaney, 1992) General Abilities (Gress & Willkomm, 1996); (c) Polish Airforce simulator (Maciejczyk, Kossowski, & Kuzak, 1995) Burke, 1990;Carretta, 1992a;Carretta & Ree, 1994Duke & Ree, 1996). Observed correlations, however,…”

A Preliminary Evaluation of Causal Models of Male and Female Acquisition of Pilot Skills

“…The difficult formation check flight is added in which the wings of multiple aircraft are as close as three feet at speeds of 400 knots. See Duke and Ree (1996) for a more complete description of check flights in the advanced aircraft.…”

Joint Use of the MAB-II and MicroCog for Improvements in the Clinical and Neuropsychological Screening and Aeromedical Waiver Process of Rated USAF Pilots

“…Over the last 20 years, the Air Force has been consistent in selecting pilots with high intellectual ability. Student pilots with high scores on ability tests are more likely to complete training (Olea & Ree, 1994;Ree, Carretta, & Teachout, 1995) and learn to fly with fewer hours in training air craft (Duke & Ree, 1996) yielding substantial benefits to the Air Force. These results are consistent with previous studies assessing the intellectual performance and capabilities of USAF pilots and pilot applicants with respect to the normative population (Retzlaff, Callister, & King, 1999;Retzlaff & Gibertini, 1988).…”