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Aviator Adaptation/ Career Challenges CDR Mark Mittauer
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Enabling Objectives Discuss how aviators are selected Discuss the student aviator training path Discuss stress coping skills used by successful aviation students Discuss signs of poor adaptation to aviation
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Enabling Objectives (cont.) Discuss interventions for aviation adaptation problems Discuss unique challenges advanced aviation training and operational flying
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How are Naval Aviator Officers Selected? Aviator Selection Test Battery (ASTB): - measures personality style, motivation for military and aviation, and cognition - minimum score required Flight Physical - no formal questions to assess suitability for aviation (“AA” __ ) Selection Boards for ROTC, USNA, OCS applicants
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How are Enlisted Aircrew/Air Traffic Controllers Selected? Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB) - minimum score needed to enlist in the Navy/Marine Corps You are selected for the aviation rate if there is as position available (quota system )
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Student Naval Aviator (SNA) Flight Training OCS, USNA, ROTC Aviation Preflight Indoctrination (API) Ground School Primary Flight Training (16% attrition) Intermediate Flight Training Advanced Flight Training WINGS! Replacement Air Group (RAG)
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Student Naval Flight Officer (SNFO) Flight Training OCS, USNA, ROTC Aviation Preflight Indoctrination (API) Basic NFO Training Intermediate NFO Training Advanced NFO Training WINGING!
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Successful Aviator Needs: Ability Motivation Stability: - PQ - no Axis I diagnosis - AA- no Axis II diagnosis (personality disorder or maladaptive personality traits that adversely impact aircrew coordination, mission execution, or flight safety)
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Stress Coping Defenses for Student Aviators Flight (withdrawal coping mechanism): - “drop on request” (DOR), - somatization - conversion reaction Fight (aggressive coping mechanism): - denial (I didn’t make a mistake”) - projection (“It was the instructor’s fault”)
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Stress Coping Mechanisms (cont.) Compromise (healthy coping mechanism): - suppression (of fear of death or of making a mistake) - denial (“I won’t get a down”) - rationalization (“If I get a down, it was the instructor’s fault. I will still get jets!”) - magical thinking (“I won’t get a down”) Compartmentalization - total of above
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Student Aviator Adaptation Most adapt to flying within 5 flights, or less Goal is to achieve comfort in (and ability to excel in) a multidimensional environment
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Signs of Poor Adaptation Discomfort flying (fear, severe anxiety) Anticipatory anxiety (before the flight) “Thrill is gone” (does not enjoy flying; prays for rain) “Behind the aircraft” ( slow responses, lack of anticipation, “brain lock”) Impulsive (but incorrect) control inputs
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Poor Adaptation (cont.) Chronic fatigue (often occurs when the student eschews exercise, socializing, proper nutrition - and despite adequate sleep) Airsickness: - initially physiologic (vestibular response) - performance anxiety component - conditioned response (e.g., fuel smell)
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Interventions for Poor Adaptation Stress Management Training (e.g., NOMI Psychiatry Department) Self-Paced Airsickness Desensitization (SPAD) - at NOMI Internal Medicine - 80% success rate (after unsuccessful trial of phenergan, ephedrine) Performance Enhancement Program - uses stress management training, relaxation, etc.
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Proposed Study NEO-PI-R (personality inventory) given to all Student NFOs (and some winged NFOs for comparison) Certain response profile will result in assessment by the Flight Surgeon - and possible referral to NOMI Psychiatry for stress management and evaluation MAY reduce DORs and attrites NOT a “select out” tool
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Challenges in Advanced Student Training Resuming junior student status - may be difficult for narcissists Solo flights - cause anxiety in dependant students who need excessive reassurance More complex aircraft (e.g., prop to jet) More complex mission (e.g., carrier ops, night and adverse weather, more challenging mission)
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Challenges in Advanced Training (cont.) Increased responsibility (e.g., aircraft commander, section leader, flight leader, mission commander)
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Challenges in Operational Flying … and Beyond “Nugget” - the junior aviator in his/her first fleet assignment Collateral duties More frequent deployments - but fewer flight hours Supervisory and leadership challenges “Dissociated tour” - nonflying tour (“fly a desk”)
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Challenges in Operational Flying (cont.) Military flying vs. civilian airlines (“drive a bus”) Military career vs. family
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Challenges for the Flight Instructor Constant “caretaker” responsibility Personal problems (e.g., marital strife, career disappointments) Nostalgia for the Fleet Narcissistic students - argue about undesired grades Dependant students - need excessive nurturing
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Questions? Comments?
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