Predictive Power of English Testing: Training International Flight Students

Due to the impending pilot shortage in Asian countries many prospective students are being sent to the United States to receive their initial flight training. The purpose of this study was to determine if Chinese students entering an American flight program with higher English testing scores are more successful in completing their private pilot certification. A sample size of 141 Chinese students was used for this study. T-test analyses was conducted to determine if students who had higher English scores were more successful in completing private pilot training. Significant relationships were found between oral scores, Versant scores and private pilot completion. Multiple regression was used to determine if a relationship existed between a student's English score and his or her academic and flight performance. Significant relationships were found between the student's English screening scores, academic grades, and flight performance.