General Ability,Conscientiousness,and Stability as Predictors of Regional Airline First Officer Job Performance

Abstract

General ability, conscientiousness, and stability were evaluated as predictors of first officer (FO) job performance. Predictive variables were measured using the Prevue Assessment (Bartram, 1994) during a pre-employment screening process. Job performance was assessed later, using behaviorally-anchored rating scales (Bramble, 1997). Ratings were made by fellow crewmembers (airline captains). Analysis of the rating data yielded two orthogonal factors, a “proficiency” factor and an “interpersonal” factor. Factor loadings were used to generate two composite performance measures for each FO. Stability was the only predictor, which correlated significantly with either composite measure. Pilots who were more emotionally stable achieved higher scores on the proficiency measure (r = .33, p = .006). The correlation between general ability and the interpersonal performance measure approached significance (r = .22, p = .071) but did not exceed the traditional criterion (p < .05). Implications for commercial pilot selection are discussed.