Institute of Transportation, MOTC

Yueh-Ying Wu, 2008.06
Graduate Institute of Transportation Science, Tamkang University

　　As the civil aviation industry expands in Taiwan, the airlines initiated the ab-initio cadet pilot training programs to meet the increasing demand for pilots since 1988. The airlines can benefit through the training programs not only in increasing a number of well-trained young pilots but also in molding the young pilots to fit the company’s culture. However, training ab-initio cadet pilots costs tremendously. Therefore, selecting the eligible persons, who are able to pass the training program, is a crucial task for airlines.

　　The majority of previous pilot selection studies are primarily focused on exploring psychological factors or the reliability and validity of selection tools for military or other types of pilots using statistical analyses or case study methods. Because the selection of ab-initio cadets is rarely discussed in literature and it plays a critical role in the airline human resource management, this research employs the concept of competency and Multiple-Criteria Decision Making methods to find the critical characteristics of eligible cadets.

　　By using in-depth interview and the Decision Making Trial and Evaluation Laboratory (DEMATEL) method, this research finds fifteen critical characteristics including self-discipline, health, personality traits, the knowledge of basic physics, basic mathematics, basic aviation, learning ability, good eye-hand coordination, English ability, communication ability, determination, team work, the brave in challenge, the attitude of active learning, and intelligence. Each factor’s corresponding weight is also calculated by Analytic Network Process (ANP).

　　The results show that most of the characteristics can be evaluated in the period of pre-selection and ground training by careful observation and examination. Therefore, we suggest that airlines may divide the program into four consecutive stages including pre-selection, ground school, basic flight training, and advanced flight training phase. Adding proposed tests and providing proper training environment in the former two phases can effectively select qualified cadets to avoid further unnecessary investment.