Investigating the Validity of Previous Flying Experience, Both Actual and Simulated, in Predicting Initial and Advanced Military Pilot Training Performance

This study examined the validity of cognitive ability, previous flying experience, and a simulation in predicting the job knowledge and flying performance of military pilots undergoing training. Archival data were analyzed for 300 Canadian pilot candidates who attempted entry-level military pilot training and 150 candidates who completed intermediate-level training on fixed-wing aircraft. Cognitive ability predicted aviation-related job knowledge but not flying performance at either early or later stages of flying performance. Both previous flying experience and the simulation predicted success in early flying performance but only the simulation predicted success at the more advanced levels of pilot training. Previous flying experience moderated the results from the simulation; the simulation was a much stronger predictor of advanced flying performance for those candidates with no previous flying experience. The results suggest developing different selection protocols for those candidates with previous flying experience.