The India Defence R&D Organization (DRDO) and Indian Air Force today signed an agreement for series production of computerized pilot selection system (CPSS). The embedded micro controller based CPSS having built-in security features captures accurate, reliable and high-speed data relating to the skills of the candidates appearing for selection as pilot. The state-of-the-art system is an outcome of collaborative efforts of DRDO and the IAF. It comprehensively evaluates the qualities required for a highly demanding job of a military pilot such as psychomotor skills, information processing skills (speed and accuracy), coordination, visualization, time-sharing, etc by subjecting the candidate to perform concurrent multiple tasks. The system has been designed with built-in diagnostic facilities for ease of maintenance. Hardware for the system has been developed by Aeronautical Development Establishment (ADE), Bangalore while the Software for cognitive & psychomotor tests has been developed by Defence Institute of Psychological Research (DIPR), Delhi. The trial runs for the same were facilitated by the Indian Air Force (IAF).

Flying in its elemental form is responding accurately and quickly to a rapidly changing stimulus pattern. Today the scenario has undergone a sea change. Visual cues have given way to instrumentation and cockpit operations are far more sophisticated. Going further, the operational needs are totally different from those in fifties. The researchers had then provided for the needs of the Air Force initially with the manually operated testing tools for assessment of aptitude. This was later followed by a computerised version of assessment of pilot aptitude battery.

With the changing technology and advancements, soon it was realised that the existing assessment of aptitude through computers was insufficient. Especially so when it has the sanctity of once in a life time appearance in testing for aptitude. The call of the hour was then to refashion the existing pilot selection procedure so as to keep pace with fast changing techno-environment scenario.

The modern Fighter aircraft, in addition to the flying skills, seeks a pilot to become Systems Manager controlling various functions of the aircraft systems. The pilot is required to correctly perceive the information presented to him through various displays & instruments from a number of sensors located in the aircraft.

The advancements in various systems combined with need for handling emergencies and combat operations make severe demands on the pilots. This, in turn calls for thorough and accurate evaluation of ‘psychomotor processing’ skills and mental workload handling ability through ‘cognitive processing’. The indigenously designed and developed CPSS meets the above requirements. Signing of Agreement between DRDO and the IAF for supplying the Computerized Pilot Selection System will make the selection system more reliable and pave the way for its introduction in all the Air Force Selection Boards.

The agreement was signed by Air Cmde SBP Sinha, VM, Principal Director – Acquisition on behalf of IAF and Dr Manas K Mandal, Outstanding Scientist and Director DIPR who represented the DRDO. The ceremony was witnessed by Dr Prahalada, Distinguished Scientist and CCR&D (Ae &SI), Dr W Selvamurthy, Distinguished Scientist and CCR&D (LS), Shri G Elangovan, Distinguished Scientist and CCR&D (R&M), Shri PS Krishnan, Distinguished Scientist and Director ADE, Air Marshal K J Mathews AVSM, YSM AOP, Air Vice Marshal KG Bewoor AVSM, VM, Air Vice Marshal RK Sharma VM and senior officials from Indian Air Force and DRDO.