A Selective Attention Test as a Predictor of Success in Flight Training

Incorporation of a dichotic listening task of selective attention in the pilot selection test battery of the Israeli Air Force was studied using a group of 2000 flight cadets. In this test, subjects are presented with 48 auditory messages. Each message is composed of strings of words and digit names. Different strings are simultaneously presented to the two ears. Subjects are required to detect digit names in the relevant channel and to reconsider channel relevance upon indication. Three types of selective listening errors are recorded: omissions, intrusions, and switching errors. Flight cadets who had completed a two-year training program had significantly lower error scores on all attention measures. In addition, these measures had low correlations with all other tests of the pilot selection battery. Thus, attention capabilities appear to be an independent dimension that enhances the predictive validity of the present test battery.