2003 IMTA Proceedings - International Military Testing Association

RACE AND GENDER AS FACTORS IN FLIGHT TRAINING SUCCESS
Dr. Wade R. Helm and Jonathan D. Reid
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University
P.O. Box 33360
NAS Pensacola, Fl. 32508
Pensacola.center@erau.edu
ABSTRACT
Success in flight training in terms of attrition and performance scores have differed
between male caucasians and non-male caucasians both before and after implementation of
affirmative action programs. It has been suggested that institution or instructor bias may account
for the lower success rates of non-male caucasians. Two studies were conducted to examine
various prediction variables related to flight training success. It was hypothesized that both
minority status and gender would be significant variables in a multi-regression equation
predicting flight-training success. Results indicate that for both pilot and Naval Flight Officer
candidates minority status and gender were significant predictor variables. However, when
selection test scores were normalized to the beginning of flight training and then compared to
normalized completing scores, all groups but one were non-significant. Only female pilots and
Naval Flight Officers had lower normalized prediction scores than normalized completed flight
training scores. Basically the Aviation Selection Test Battery under predicts female success in
flight training. All other groups when adjusted for Aviation Selection Test Battery prediction test
scores, performed as predicted.
INTRODUCTION
Roughly 12,000 individuals annually contact ascension sources with an interest in Naval
aviation. Through an initial screening, the number is reduced to 10,000 who take the Aviation
Selection Test Battery (ASTB), a series of six tests used to select future Naval aviators (What,
n.d.). Those scores are combined with flight physicals, physical fitness scores, and officer ship
ratings to select aviation candidates. All Naval Aviator and Naval Flight Officer (NFO)
candidates then attend Aviation Pre-Indoctrination (API) at Naval Air Station Pensacola. After
taking courses in weather, engines, aerodynamics, navigation, and flight rules and regulations,
they head to their respective training wings to start primary training. Pilot students attend
primary training at Training Wing FIVE at Whiting Field in Milton, FL and Training Wing
FOUR at Corpus Christi NAS, TX. NFO students remain at Pensacola to start Joint
Undergraduate Navigator Training with Training Wing SIX (CTW-6).
CTW-6 conducts primary, intermediate, and advanced training for NFOs. Primary
training lasts 15 weeks and is conducted using the T-34C Mentor aircraft by Training Squadrons
FOUR (VT-4) and TEN (VT-10). Primary Undergraduate Student Naval Flight
Officer/Navigator Training is designed to provide officers in U.S. and international services the
skills and knowledge required to safely aviate, navigate, communicate, and manage aircraft
systems and aircraft in visual and instrument conditions (CNATRA Instruction 1542.54L, 2002).
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45 th Annual Conference of the International Military Testing Association
Pensacola, Florida, 3-6 November 2003