Development and Initial Validation of the Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) External Pilot Selection System

摘要

The purpose of this study was to develop physical and selection performance standards for the screening of candidates for entrance into the Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) Pioneer Pilot training program. A minimum Pioneer crew consists of an external pilot, internal pilot, and a mission commander/ payload specialist. A task analysis was done in the training and fleet squadrons to identify critical tasks for safe flight and the relevant skills required to perform the piloting tasks. From this task analysis, specific computer-based tests batteries were chosen as potential predictor variables. The system was programmed and students and external pilots were administered the test battery. A composite training measure was created from objective training scores, verified with subjective instructor ratings, and used as the criterion for predictive validation of the system. The sample size was small for the preliminary model, but a significant relationship between a composite of multitask tracking scores and UAV performance was observed (adjusted R2 = 0.86). In addition, structured and unstructured interviews of the Pioneer crews, students, instructors and senior squadron personnel were used to identity important physical characteristics essential for safe operation of the Pioneer. These traits were then used to derive medical screening criteria for all crew positions.