Development and Validation of the Test of Basic Aviation Skills (TBAS)

Abstract

Abstract : In 1993, the Pilot Candidate Selection Method (PCSM) was operationally implemented as an adjunct to US Air Force pilot training selection methods. PCSM combined the Air Force Officer Qualifying Test (AFOQT) Pilot composite scores from the Basic Attributes Test (BAT) and a measure of prior flying experience in a regression-weighted pilot aptitude composite. Since 1993, neither the BAT hardware nor software have been updated. As with all aptitude tests, it is desirable to update test content at regular intervals to keep it current and avoid potential problems such as test compromise. In the case of computer-based tests such as the BAT, it is also desirable to update test hardware and software to avoid problems associated with normal wear to the system (e.g., calibration of the control sticks, functioning of input devices) and to take advantage of advances in computer hardware and software. The Test of Basic Aviation Skills (TBAS) was developed as a candidates BAT replacement test in the PCSM equation. The purpose of this report is to document the TBAS development process and report results of a study of its validity and incremental validity versus measures of pilot training performance when used with other operational measures of pilot aptitude (i.e., AFOQT), prior flying experience).