Accession Number:

ADA183141

Title:

Spatial Ability as a Predictor of Flight Training Performance

Descriptive Note:

Interim rept. Jan 82-Sep 86

Corporate Author:

AIR FORCE HUMAN RESOURCES LAB BROOKS AFB TX

Personal Author(s):

• Carretta, Thomas R.

Report Date:

1987-07-01

Pagination or Media Count:

15.0

Abstract:

Spatial ability has been demonstrated to be related to performance of a variety of tasks including several military enlisted jobs and piloting aircraft. This paper examined the relationship between performance on spatial ability task i.e., the Mental Rotation Test and flight training performance for 1,939 United States Air Force Undergraduate Pilot Training UPT candidates. Performance on the Mental Rotation Test was not related to completion of training, but was related to a recommendation for specialized training after UPT. Pilot candidates who made quick, consistent, and accurate judgements were more likely to be recommended for fast-jet training Fighter-Attack-Reconnaissance or FAR. This was consistent with the current practice of selecting the best-performing student pilots for follow-on training in FAR aircraft. Keywords Air Force Officer Qualifying Test AFOQT Basic Attributes Tests BAT Cognitive perceptual abilities Flight training performance Mental rotation test Pilot selection Spatial ability.

Descriptors:

• *FLIGHT TRAINING
• *PERFORMANCE(HUMAN)
• *SPACE PERCEPTION
• MILITARY PERSONNEL
• JOBS
• AIRCRAFT
• PREDICTIONS
• TRAINING
• COGNITION
• PILOTS
• ENLISTED PERSONNEL
• AIR FORCE PERSONNEL
• ATTACK AIRCRAFT
• JET FIGHTERS
• OFFICER PERSONNEL
• JUDGEMENT(PSYCHOLOGY)
• ROTATION
• MENTAL ABILITY
• SELECTION
• PERCEPTION

Subject Categories:

• Psychology
• Personnel Management and Labor Relations

Distribution Statement:

APPROVED FOR PUBLIC RELEASE