Predictors of flight performance in novice student pilots

Interest in pilot performance prediction began in World War I and has continued to present day. Most research regarding pilot performance prediction has been conducted through the military and may not generalize to other groups of aviators. The present study determined specific cognitive factors which are predictive of flight performance in novice student pilots with zero hours of flight experience. Sixty-nine novice student pilots enrolled in the Aeronautical Science program at Embry Riddle Aeronautical University (ERAU) participated in the present study. Participants were administered the CogScreen-Aeromedical Edition (CogScreen-AE) and the Conners CPT-II (CPT-II) before the commencement of flight school. The CogScreen-AE assesses cognitive abilities specific to piloting an aircraft, and the CPT-II is used in the assessment of attentional problems. Forty-four participants completed the flight program and went on to obtain their Private Pilot's License. The participants who completed flight school (Completed) were evaluated by their instructors during actual flight using a Flight Data Sheet developed from the Federal Aviation Administration's (FAA) Practical Test Standards. Participants were evaluated as they were preparing for their Private Pilot License Examination or "checkride". Significant predictors of Completion/Not Completion from flight school were a combined score on the CogScreen Process Measures, the CogScreen-AE Tracking factor, and the Conners Confidence Index. Flight Performance was significantly predicted by the CogScreen-AE Speed/Working Memory factor.