The validation of the selection battery for pilots of the South African Air Force

Date
2004-04
Authors
De Kock, Francois Servaas
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University
Abstract
ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The recent procurement of modern fourth-generation fighter aircraft by the South African Air Force (SAAF), severe budget constraints, as well as demographic transformation of the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) impacted heavily on the selection and training of SAAF pilots. Against this backdrop, this predictive criterion-related validation study attempted to find an optimal battery to predict various aspects of pilot training performance, using all SAAF qualified pilots from 1997 to 2002 as the sample (N=107). Multiple regression analyses were performed to construct a model which can be used to predict the success of trainee pilots in three phases of pilot training, namely officers' formative training, ground school training and practical flight training. Stepwise regression analyses with training grade achieved as criterion were performed on the data for each of the phases of training. Multiple correlations of 0,34 (p<0,001), 0,21 (p>0,05) and 0,22 (p<0,05) were obtained for flight, ground school and formative training results respectively. Various recommendations regarding the present composition of the battery are made
AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die onlangse aanskaffing van moderne vierde-generasie vegvliegtuie deur die Suid Afrikaanse Lugmag (SALM), sowel as omvattende begrotingsbeperkinge en die demografiese transformasie van die Suid-Afrikaanse Nasionale Weermag (SANW) het In swaar impak op die keuring en opleiding van SALM vlieëniers gehad. Teen hierdie agtergrond het hierdie voorspellende kriteriumgerigte valideringsstudie gepoog om In battery saam te stel wat die verskeie aspekte van prestasie tydens vlieëniersopleiding optimaal kon voorspel. AI die SALM vlieëniers wat gekwalifiseer het van 1997 tot 2002 is in die steekproef ingesluit (N=107). Meervoudige regressieontledings is uitgevoer om In model te bou wat die sukses van kandidaatvlieëniers kon voorspel tydens die drie fases van opleiding, naamlik offisiersvorming, grondskool en praktiese vliegopleiding. Stapsgewyse regressie-ontleding is gedoen vir elke fase van opleiding, met opleidingspunt behaal as kriterium in elke fase. Meervoudige korrelasies van 0,34 (p<0,001), 0,21 (p>0,05) en 0,22 (p<0,05) is verkry vir vlieg-, grondskool-, en vormingsopleidingspunt onderskeidelik. Verskeie aanbevelings in verband met die samestelling van die battery word gemaak.
Description
Assignment (MComm)--University of Stellenbosch, 2004.
Keywords
South Africa. -- South African Air Force -- Officials and employees -- Selection and appointment, Fighter pilots -- Selection and appointment -- South Africa, Dissertations -- Industrial psychology
Citation