Prof. Damir Karpljuk, PhD (University of Ljubljana, Faculty of Sport, Ljubljana, Slovenia) MILITARY AVIATION PERSONNEL SELECTION

Military Aviation Personnel Selection

Damir Karpljuk, Mateja Vidern'Sek, Suzana Tkavc, & Maja Melco Faculty of sport, Ljubljana, Slovenia
The nature of work in military organizations involves a high degree of responsibility as it is to do with human lives. Therefore, the importance of an appropriate candidate selection is of utmost importance. In our study, we aimed to determine which tests differentiate Slovene military pilots from the control groups, and produced a profile of a military pilot. The sample consisted of 120 participants, 30 of whom were in the experimental group white the other 90 were in the control group. The experimental group included military pilots and the control groups included the general population, sport pilots and soldiers with no relationship with aviation. The participants in this research completed the personality inventory (BFQ) and Coping Responses Inventory (CRI) in a classroom, all motor tests and Complex Reactionmeter Drenovac (CRD) tests were performed in the gym. The statistical analysis, which was based on the discriminant analysis, identified statistically significant differences between the Slovene military pilots and the control groups. The results showed that military pilots use strategies focused on a problem and that they cope with problem situations effectively. Slovene military pilots are also very emotionally stable and outstandingly extraverted with a greater desire for achieving goals and a greater tendency towards activity.

Key words: slovene military pilots, stress-coping strategies, personality, motor abilities, personnel selection