Analysis on the correlation of high performance fighter pilot′s spatial orientation ability with related indicators

Abstract

Objective To study the correlation between the spatial orientation ability determined by spatial disorientation simulator and the results of psychological quality test, flight skill, expert evaluation and total scores, and to provide a scientific theory basis for future spatial orientation ability tests for high performance fighter pilots. Methods Self-matching design was chosen in the study. Twenty-three high performance fighter pilots achieved the spatial orientation ability test under the complex weather conditions and high load tasks in the spatial disorientation simulator. The test scores of spatial orientation ability was compared to the psychological test scores, the flight skill test scores and expert evaluation scores by Pearson product moment correlation analysis. The rankings of total scores, spatial orientation ability, expert evaluation scores, flight skills and psychological scores were processed by Spearman correlation analysis. Results ①By the Pearson product difference correlation analysis, the spatial orientation ability scores showed the highest correlation with psychological test scores (r=0.79, P 0.05). The expert evaluation scores were correlated with the flight skill test scores (r=0.69, P 0.05). There was no correlation between the flight skill test scores and the psychological test scores (r=0.16, P>0.05). ②By the Spearman rank correlation analysis, the total scores showed the highest correlation with the psychological test scores (r=0.88, P<0.01), and was significantly correlated with the spatial orientation ability test scores, the flight skill test scores and expert evaluation scores (r=0.60, 0.72, 0.63, P<0.05). Conclusions Spatial orientation ability has a close relationship with psychological test scores. It would be an important indicator of the psychological quality for high performance fighter pilot. Key words: Orientation; Disorientation; Illusions; Correlation analysis; Spatial disorientation simulator; Pilots