Commentary on the Article by Weissmuller and Damos: Statistical Models and the Structure of Selection Processes in Pilot Selection Systems

Abstract

Pilot selection has long been a keystone topic in aviation psychology. Weissmuller and Damos provide a succinct overview of two key issues in designing pilot selection systems: the statistical model on which a given selection system is predicated and the structure of the selection system operationalizing the statistical model. The class or type of statistical model to use in a pilot selection system is often subject to intense debate, at least among the consulting psychologists. The structure of the selection system is equally debatable, especially when economic and pragmatic management concerns are considered. In this commentary, I consider briefly the statistical models and the selection system structure as discussed by Weissmuller and Damos—and venture some questions for future research on pilot selection.