Pilot Motivation And Performance: Theoretical And Empirical Relationships

This study examines the relationship between pilot motivation and flight performance in student pilots attending an aviation university. Predictions about motivation-performance relationships were based on intrinsic-extrinsic motivation distinctions. Results indicated that there was a robust relationship between motivation and performance, in that the greater the number of student cancellations during a course of training, the lower the student performance in actual flight training. Limitations and strengths of this study are discussed, with suggestions for future research.