Personality Test Scores that Distinguish U.S. Air Force Remotely Piloted Aircraft Drone Pilot Training Candidates

Abstract : Although there is a wide range of remotely piloted aircraft (RPAs) across the Department of Defense, the MQ-1 Predator and MQ-9 Reaper have emerged as critical assets for carrying out critical intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance and close air support weapons strikes. This has led to the development of a United States Air Force (USAF) RPA pilot career field for these airframes. The recruitment of pilots for this career field is an important component to meeting the increasing RPA pilot manpower requirements. However, there are varying perceptions regarding the type of personality traits that attract such a unique group of pilot training candidates. This study evaluated pre-training standardized personality testing for three groups of pilot training candidates: group 1 contained pilot training candidates who volunteered to become RPA straight out of college and upon commissioning in the USAF, group 2 contained pilot training candidates who completed undergraduate pilot training to pursue a career as a pilot in a manned airframe but were reassigned to RPA pilot training due to the need to fill the gap in USAF RPA pilot vacancies, and group 3 contained those candidates who completed undergraduate pilot training and were assigned a career as a USAF pilot in a manned airframe. Personality testing consisted of the NEO-PI-R completed during medical flight screening and prior to training. Overall, the results of the study reveal the personality testing of those who are motivated to pursue a career in RPA pilot training is more similar than different when compared to those pursuing manned airframe pilot training. Group similarities and differences are discussed.

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