NEO PI-R Normative Personality Data That Distinguish U.S. Air Force Female Pilots

Abstract

Female U.S. Air Force (USAF) pilots represent a unique group of women in a challenging, high-risk, and male-dominated profession. Aside from ability and motivation, personality characteristics are considered to play a key role in succeeding as a military pilot (Paullin, Katz, Bruskiewicz, Houston, & Damos, 2006). This study evaluated psychological baseline test scores from the NEO Personality Inventory-Revised (NEO PI-R) on the current inventory of rated USAF female (n = 512) and male (n = 9630) pilots in an effort to (a) provide modern normative data on the personality traits of current USAF female pilots, (b) identify personality traits that distinguish female pilots from male pilots and non-pilot females in the civilian normative sample, and (c) assess for meaningful personality differences within female pilots across specific airframes (e.g., fighter/bomber, reconnaissance/surveillance, tanker/transport, and helicopter). The results of the study aim to shed light on objective personality traits and differences and assist clinical psychologists with the interpretation of NEO PI-R psychological test scores when evaluating USAF female pilots. A case vignette is provided to illustrate practical application of study findings.

The impact of personality and self-efficacy on academic and military performance: The mediating role of self-efficacy

“…These findings may have implications for predicting and enhancing academic and military performance. Personality tests are currently in use and under development in the Armed Forces in Norway as well as in Australia (McCormack & Mellor, 2002) and France (Congard, Antoine, & Gilles, 2012) and USA (Chappelle, Novy, Sowin, & Thompson, 2010) among other places. Our study suggests that self-efficacy has a mediating effect on performance, which may explain why individuals with a high conscientiousness score perform well.…”

Personality Test Scores that Distinguish U.S. Air Force Remotely Piloted Aircraft Drone Pilot Training Candidates

“…Such attributes have been identified by subjects matter experts (USAF RPA unit commanders, pilots, training cadre, flight surgeons) as critical to effectively adapting to operational rigors of the career field [23]. Such attributes have also been found in USAF pilot training candidates [28,29] and rated pilots for manned airframes [30]. The results of this study also reveal RPA training candidates are very similar to military aviators of manned aircraft with respect to how their personalities differ from the general population.…”

“…This version uses a standardized set of instructions, is self-paced, and is scored automatically. The NEO PI-R has been used in other studies assessing the personality of USAF pilot training candidates and rated pilots [28][29][30].…”

NEO PI-R Normative Personality Data that Distinguish U.S. Air Force MQ-1 Predator and MQ-9 Reaper Sensor Operators from AC-130 Gunship Sensor Operators and Peers in the General Population

“…In studies and commentary by SMEs within the RPA community, those who failed SO training or were thought to be less successful/high-performing aircrew often lacked these characteristics when their NEO PI-R scores were examined. Thus, these isolated scores when fully taken into consideration lend significant support to the involvement of military clinical flight surgeons and psychologists in the selection of RPA applicants as well as in opinions regarding these vital aircrew's suitability for continued RPA SO duties and sustainment of the career field (Ref 19).…”