A Reappraisal of Aging and Pilot Performance

Age effects on four cognitive functions deemed essential to pilot performance were reviewed. Cognitive slowing and resource reduction were discussed as general causes for age-related deficits. The review relied heavily on laboratory findings in the psychological literature due to the sparsity of systematic studies with pilots. Limitations in generalizing from the general population to the pilot population and from laboratory findings to operational significance were noted. More direct research with the pilot population will be necessary to better understand aging and pilot performance. This research, however, should be guided by the existing wealth of knowledge in the psychological literature.

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