The purpose of this study was to develop a system for the prediction of success or failure in the Naval Flight Officer (NFO) program for use during Basic NFO training. Two initial selection tests (an academic ability test and a mechanical comprehension test) plus two academic performance measures resulted in a multiple correlation coefficient of .45 with a dichotomous criterion of pass/attrite. Decision making regarding the retention of marginal students could be improved by use of the prediction formula generated in this study.

The study extends the Naval Flight Officer (NFO) prediction system to permit predictions of success or failure in training for officer students who are not graduates of Aviation Officer Candidate School (non-AOCs). Two aptitude test scores and two performance measures were selected as the best combination of variables for predicting a completion versus attrition criterion. Use of this expanded system should improve decisions regarding non-AOC student NFO's.

College major of flight students was investigated as a possible predictor of success in naval aviation training. Each of 1245 pilot trainees was placed into one of ten categories according to his college major. Three dichotomous criteria of success/failure were used. The extent to which the inclusion of college major categories contributed to the multiple prediction of success in flight training was examined by the Wherry-Doolittle technique. Their contribution was determined both as primary selection variables and as predictors after the completion of academic training. The inclusion of college major categories both as primary and as secondary selection variables significantly increased the multiple prediction of success/failure in naval aviation training. (Author).