[The validity of a psychological selection procedure for aerospace operators]

The validity of a psychological selection system for highly qualified aerospace operators is examined. Of 399 student airline pilots recruited with this procedure, 349 (88%) completed the flight training successfully. Multivariate statistical data analyses on the basis of the criteria training success (pass/fail) and instructor's ratings resulted in acceptable validity coefficients. Whereas tests of psychomotor coordination and multiple task performance proved to be significant predictors for the training success as a whole, such characteristics as mathematical reasoning, mental concentration, perceptual speed and spatial orientation were more related to the instructor's ratings. The significance of psychological aptitude testing for the efficiency of man/machine interactions is discussed.