Assessment of Two Depth Perception Tests to Predict Undergraduate Pilot TrainingCompletion

摘要

This document is a proposal for a publishable research paper. Ophthalmologists atthe USAF School of Aerospace Medicine suspect one of the two depth perception tests used to screen candidates for Undergraduate Pilot Training (UPT) inadequately evaluates depth perception abilities required to operate high performance jet aircraft. They hypothesize that candidates passing only the Verhoeff test for near stereopsis have higher attrition rates from UPT than candidates passing the VTA, a test of distant stereopsis. A historical prospective study will be used to test this hypothesis. A cohort of students attending USAF UPT during Fiscal Year 1990 will be compared. UPT attrition rates will be compared among type of depth perception test passed. Multiple logistic regression methods will be used to study attrition rate increases. Confounding variables evaluated include: commissioning source, previous flying experience, training base assigned, degree of phoria and gender of student. If this hypothesis is validated, the USAF may amend its pre-selection depth perception criterion for medical qualification of UPT candidates, thus resulting in significant financial savings to the US Air Force.