Measures o f helicopter pilot proficiency were obtained on samples o f student pilots in two training phases. Measures were based on students' performance on I6 and 12 separate maneuvers in the Primary and Basic training phases respectively. Intercorrelatitons of maneuvers in each phase were subjected to factor analysis. In both phases maneuver performance could be described in terms of six or seven clearly interpretable common factors. The results were discussed in terms o f the implications for understanding the structure and measurement of skilled psychomotor performance.Since World War I1 there has been considerable interest in the task of piloting aircraft. Early work focused on developing reliable proficiency measures (e.g., see Erickson, 1952, for a review), Later work focused on more objective flying proficiency measures (Houston, Smith and Flexman, 1954) and on identifying the basic abilities involved in piloting fixed wing aircraft (e.g., Fleishman and Hempel, 1956; Fleishman and Ornstein, 1960). With the proliferation of helicopters as basic military transport and combat vehicles, interest in the skills involved in piloting rotary wing aircraft (helicopters) has increased. Work to date (Greer, Smith and Hatfield, 1962; Heimstra, Louis and Young, 1962; DuEy and Colgan, 1963; Greer, Smith, Hatfield, Colgan and Duffy, 1963) has been concerned primarily with developing reliable, objective pilot proficiency measures. Performed by the Human Resources Research Office (HumRRO), this work resulted in two carefully developed proficiency tests for use with the Army's Primary Helicopter School trainees (Greer, et al., 1963).The present study, using data gathered with these proficiency tests, attempts to identify basic factors underlying performance of helicopter maneuvers.
METHOD
Brief description of helicopter control system.The helicopter has four basic pilot controls. The cyclic pitch control stick (cyclic) is mounted on the cockpit floor center forward of the pilot seat. It can be moved in any direction in a 360' plane perpendicular to the long axis of the stick. When the cyclic is moved to a particular position, corresponding changes in pitch rotation of the main rotor blades result in movement of the vehicle in that direction. By controlling the attitude of the aircraft, the cyclic also controls airspeed. The cyclic control stick is operated by the right hand and arm.The collective pitch Zever (pitch), mounted to the left of the pilot, controls vertical direction of flight. Up or down movements of pitch changes the positive pitch angle of the main rotor blades collectively and effects corresponding up or down movements of the vehicle. Pitch is operated by the left hand and arm.The throttle, located on the handle of the collective pitch lever, can be turned as on a '