Causes of Student Attrition in US Naval Aviation Training: A Five Year Review from FY 2003 to FY 2007

摘要

A review of self-reported causes of Naval Aviation student training attrition was conducted for the period FY 2003 to FY 2007. Data were aggregated from Naval Aerospace Medical Institute attrition reports published during the period under review. Drop on Request (DOR) was the single greatest self- reported administrative reason for attrition during this five-year period, accounting for 40% of attrition among survey respondents. Performance-related attrition was 37% of all attrition, with flight failure the most frequent cause in this category, at 24% of all attrition. Self-reported contributory factors were also examined. Survey response options related to anxiety and nervousness related to flying and to the flight program were among the most frequently endorsed contributing factors. Among other frequently endorsed factors were poor flight performance, loss/change of interest, and motion sickness. To reduce training attrition, recommendations are made for S&T investments in aviation personnel selection research to identify valid predictors of anxiety, fearfulness, task prioritization, motivation, and motion sickness susceptibility.