Determinants of flight training performance : Naval Academy Classes of 1995 and 1996

• Main Author: Reinhart, Paul M.
• Other Authors: Gregory G. Hildebrandt
• Language: en_US
• Published: Monterey, California. Naval Postgraduate School 2013
• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/10945/32603

This thesis investigates the relationship between observable characteristics and performance during the primary phase of flight training. The data for this study consists of 272 observations from Naval Academy graduates in the classes of 1995 and 1996. Analysis of the variables was conducted using the Heckinan two-stage regression technique to correct for possible selectivity bias. In this technique the first-stage probit model, which predicts the likelihood of primary phase completion, is used to generate a correction factor for possible selectivity bias. The correction factor is then used in the second- stage adjusted least-squares regression model. The conclusions from this study are: The biographical inventory from the Aviation Selection Test Battery(ASTB) is a valid predictor of primary phase completion. The Pilot Flight Aptitude Rating(PFAR) from the ASTB, academic achievement(AQPR) at the Naval Academy, and previous flight experience are valid predictors of flight training performance. Additionally, it appears that sample selection bias does not seem to be a problem in this analysis.