The light plane as a pre-primary selection and training device: II. Analysis of training data.

An analysis of pilot flying performance in terms of component abilities.

“…Essentially this study represents a convergence of two lines of research. One involves the development of analytical objective measures of pilot performance (Boyle & Hagin, 1953;Ericksen, 1952b;Ornstein, Flexman, & Nichols, 1954;Smith, Flexman, & Houston, 1952;Sutter, Townsend, & Ornstein, 1954). The other line of research is represented by laboratory studies of experimental tasks concerned with the isolation of generalizable dimensions of skilled performance (Fleishman, 1953(Fleishman, , 1954(Fleishman, , 1956(Fleishman, , 1958a(Fleishman, , 1958bFleishman & Hempel, 1954a, 1954b, 1956Parker & Fleishman, 1959).…”

“…Daily recordings of student performance were made by each student's instructor on forms called Daily Progress Record Sheets (DPRS). A complete description of the rationale, development, and characteristics of the measuring device may be found elsewhere (Smith, Flexman, & Houston, 1952 ;Sutter, Townsend, & Ornstein, 1954).…”

“…A thorough review of developments in measuring pilot performance up to 1952 has been presented by Ericksen (1952a). In the late postwar program considerable progress was made in developing more objective flying performance measures in connection with pilot selection and training studies in the Air Force research program (Boyle & Hagin, 1953;Flexman, Townsend, & Ornstein, 1954;Ornstein, Nichols, & Flexman, 1954;Sutter, Townsend, & Ornstein, 1954). It is from this series of studies that a practical and reliable in-flight performance measure has emerged.…”

Perceptual-psychomotor tests in aircrew selection: Historical review and advanced concepts

“…Signori (1949) No cost effectiveness studies utilizing light plane training as a screening technique were found in the literature, but it appears doubtful that this technique is a useful one for selection unless it also provides some transfer of training for those who eventually graduate from the pilot training course. There is some evidence that elimination in primary training takes place later for those who receive the light plane training (Boyle & Hagin, 1953) and further that the beneficial effects for those receiving the light plane training tend to disappear by the time the trainee has completed 60 hours of Primary Flying TraiiAng (Sutter, Townsend & Ornstein, 1954).…”