Does a New Version of the Direction Orientation Task Measure Spatial Ability?

2020 ◽  
Vol 64 (1) ◽  
pp. 1556-1560
Author(s):  
Jacqueline Sweet ◽  
Joseph Coyne ◽  
Nathan Herdener ◽  
Anthony J. Ries
Keyword(s):  
Spatial Ability ◽  
Block Rotation ◽  
Spatial Strategy ◽  
Math Ability ◽  
Orientation Task ◽  
Current Implementation ◽  
Us Air Force ◽  
The Us ◽  
Improved Performance ◽  
Task Measure

The US Air Force, Navy and Marine Corps use the direction orientation task (DOT) to assess spatial ability of potential pilots. However, recent research has shown limitations with the current implementation of the DOT, as well as an earlier candidate replacement the DOT 2. Specifically, there is evidence to suggest that the use of a math strategy and math ability may be related to performance on both tasks. The focus of the current paper is on the evaluation of a revised version of the DOT task (DOT 2.5) designed to encourage the use of spatial solutions by removing the numerical values from the task. We compared the performance of DOT 2.5 with previously validated measures of spatial ability, namely the paper folding and block rotation tasks. We also asked participants how often they employed different strategies on the task (e.g., a spatial strategy or mathematical one). Our results show the DOT 2.5 is significantly related to spatial ability as measured with block rotation. However, while participants were three times more likely to use a spatial strategy on the task, only the use of a math strategy was related to improved performance.

Effects of equivalent sea-level and altitude training on VO2max and running performance

1975 ◽  
Vol 39 (2) ◽  
pp. 262-266 ◽  
Author(s):  
W. C. Adams ◽  
E. M. Bernauer ◽  
D. B. Dill ◽  
J. B. Bomar
Keyword(s):  
Sea Level ◽  
Altitude Training ◽  
Air Force Academy ◽  
Distance Runners ◽  
Us Air Force ◽  
The Us ◽  
Improved Performance ◽  
Group 2 ◽  
Equivalent Distance ◽  
Similar Intensity

Twelve middle-distance runners, each having recently completed a competitive track season, were divided into two groups matched for maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max), 2-mile run time and age. Group 1 trained for 3 wk at Davis, PB = 760 mmHg, running 19.3 km/day at 75% of sea-level (SL) VO2max, while group 2 trained an equivalent distance at the same relative intensity at the US Air Force Academy (AFA), PB = 586 mmHg. The groups then exchanged sites and followed a training program of similar intensity to the group preceding it for an additional 3 wk. Periodic near exhaustive VO2max treadmill tests and 2-mile competitive time trials were completed. Initial 2-mile times at the AFA were 7.2% slower than SL control. Both groups demonstrated improved performance in the second trial at the AFA (chi = 2.0%), but mean postaltitude performance was unchanged from SL control. VO2max at the AFA was reduced initially 17.4% from SL control, but increased 2.6% after 20 days. However, postaltitude VO2max was 2.8% below SL control. It is concluded that there is no potentiating effect of hard endurance training at 2,300-m over equivalently severe SL training on SL VO2max or 2-mile performance time in already well conditioned middle-distance runners.

The use of non-spatial strategies in the Direction Orientation Task

2020 ◽  
Vol 64 (1) ◽  
pp. 802-806
Author(s):  
Joseph T. Coyne ◽  
Noelle L. Brown ◽  
Cyrus K. Foroughi ◽  
Ciara Sibley ◽  
Emily Sexauer ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Spatial Ability ◽  
Strategy Use ◽  
Spatial Strategy ◽  
Mathematical Solution ◽  
Spatial Strategies ◽  
Orientation Task ◽  
Variable Population ◽  
Naval Aviators ◽  
Highly Correlated ◽  
The Military

Spatial ability has been identified as one of the skills needed to be a pilot. However, the test used by the military to measure this ability, the Direction Orientation Task (DOT), has a number of problems. The DOT2, was developed to address issues such as a ceiling effect and the limited number of possible trials. The initial DOT2 validation was done with a group of Naval Aviators, however the current study sought to collect further evidence, within a more variable population. A group of students completed the new DOT2 task, along with a survey on strategy use. We found that the percentage of time participants reported using a math strategy on the task was highly correlated with accuracy whereas the use of a spatial strategy was negatively correlated with accuracy. A similar mathematical solution can be applied to the original DOT, suggesting neither tests may be measuring spatial ability.

scholarly journals Prevalence and Impact of Anemia on Basic Trainees in the US Air Force

2016 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Kathryn E. Myhre ◽  
Bryant J. Webber ◽  
Thomas L. Cropper ◽  
Juste N. Tchandja ◽  
Dale M. Ahrendt ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Air Force ◽  
Us Air Force ◽  
The Us

scholarly journals Simple Analytical Techniques to Determine the Disperant Capacity and Metal Deactivator Additive Concentration of JP-8+100 and Other Jet Fuels

1997 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert E. Kauffman
Keyword(s):  
Field Tests ◽  
Analytical Techniques ◽  
Maintenance Cost ◽  
Jet Fuels ◽  
Additive Concentration ◽  
Additive Package ◽  
Us Air Force ◽  
The Us ◽  
Metal Deactivator ◽  
Thermal Stability Of

The US Air Force is developing an additive package to improve the thermal stability of JP-8 fuels by 100°F. Consequently, JP-8 fuels containing the developed additive package are referred to as JP-8+100 fuels. Field tests of the JP-8+100 fuels have shown that the additive package greatly reduces maintenance cost and labor in comparison to JP-8 fuels by minimizing fuel system malfunctions caused by fuel deposition, e.g., fuel control changeouts, combustor damage, etc. The developed additive package contains three components: antioxidant, dispersant/detergent, and metal deactivator. This paper presents simple analytical techniques that can be performed on-site or in the laboratory to determine the dispersant capacity and metal deactivator additive concentrations of JP-8+100 fuels. Since several dispersant/detergent candidates are being evaluated for use in the JP-8+100 additive package, the analytical techniques were developed to measure the dispersant capacity of the additive package instead of the concentration of one particular dispersant/detergent. The dispersant capacity test measures the ability of a fuel sample to suspend a metal oxide powder/water/isopropanol mixture. The dispersant capacity test can be used to identify jet fuels which contain the JP-8+100 additive package and to rate the dispersant capacity of a JP-8+100 fuel. In contrast to the dispersant capacity test, the metal deactivator additive (MDA) tests were designed to determine the concentration of N,N′-disalicylidene-1,2-propanediamine which is the primary MDA used in jet fuels. The MDA tests use fuel soluble compounds or aqueous extraction to chemically react MDA to form colored species. The color of the MDA compound is measured visually for qualitative determinations or spectrometrically for quantitative determinations. Combination of the different MDA tests allows MDA to be detected down to 0.1 ppm regardless of fuel color, age, or type.

scholarly journals Efficacy of a group-based brief tobacco intervention among young adults aged 18–20 years in the US Air Force

2021 ◽  
Vol 19 (December) ◽  
pp. 1-11
Author(s):  
Melissa Little ◽  
Xin-Qun Wang ◽  
Margaret Fahey ◽  
Kara Wiseman ◽  
Kinsey Pebley ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Young Adults ◽  
Air Force ◽  
Us Air Force ◽  
The Us ◽  
Tobacco Intervention

Moving the Ball Down the Field

2014 ◽  
pp. 172-187
Author(s):  
Mark Reid ◽  
Dan Ashcraft
Keyword(s):  
Air Force ◽  
Common Sense ◽  
Best Practice ◽  
Assessment Framework ◽  
Standard Assessment ◽  
Corporate Memory ◽  
Us Air Force ◽  
The Us ◽  
Positive Experiences

The US Air Force's (USAF) Pacific Air Forces (PACAF) has an effective approach to turning observations of problems into accomplished actions and mission improvements. This common-sense approach relies on 1) motivated buy-in and participation from the Chief Stakeholder (i.e., CEO, Commander, the Boss); 2) a standard assessment framework; 3) experienced, enduring, corporate memory-equipped assessors; 4) Chief Stakeholder's confidence in his assessors; 5) mid-managers empowered to fix their own problems; 6) access for the assessors to the Chief Stakeholder; and 7) an empowered ramrod to enforce the process and ensure follow-through. This chapter relates the steps of PACAF's process, which Headquarters (HQ) US Air Force called in 2012 “the Air Force's Best Practice at turning observations into progress” and illustrates these steps with PACAF's very positive experiences.

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