Empirical evaluation of a selection system for Chinese student pilots

To describe the transfer of ab-initio pilot selection methods from Germany to China.

The different phases of test development and evaluation were carried out by the DLR Department of Aviation and Space Psychology in cooperation with the Civil Aviation Flying College (CAFC). The DLR/LH test-system covers factors of aviation related knowledge, operational abilities, personality, and psychomotor abilities. After the translation into Chinese and necessary cultural adaptations a sample of 125 Chinese student pilots was examined in 1996. Standardized feedback data was gathered over a time period of two years in practical flight training.

In comparison to reliabilities of the German version, differences can be observed for all knowledge related test forms. Especially tests of technical and mathematical knowledge have somewhat lower reliabilities in China. On the other hand the reliabilities for the personality questionnaire as well as for the tests of memory, mental concentration, and spatial abilities seem to be equivalent with the German versions. In relation to flight instructor ratings for all students who passed the selection, the overall rate of accurate predictions is 71% (Cramer's V=0.35, P<0.01). The best psychometric predictors found in this research for different phases of the Chinese ab-initio pilot training (from academic study up to advanced twin-engine operation) are psychomotor coordination in multiple tasks settings, mental concentration, spatial abilities, and English language comprehension.

The results supported the assumption that the selection tests for ab-initio pilots can be transferred into a different culture without significant loss of reliability or validity.