They have some value.
There is a strong link between verbal reasoning ability and success in some flying training courses. It may not seem a logical link but in Psychology its often the case that you measure one thing, find its linked to another thing but have no idea how, why or what the link is. You use large samples and clever maths to prove the link. You then make up a theory about the link.
Often you can ignore the theory but the statistically significant link is actually quite robust.
An oft used example about eldest-son syndrome on the Apollo missions to the moon. 22 out of 29 were first-born sons. Six of them in the only-child category. Five others had older sisters but were eldest sons. Only two, Stuart Roosa and Mike Collins, had older brothers.
In the case of Collins there is a qualification: he hardly knew his brother, who was 13 years older, and Major General and Mrs. Collins gave Mike the only-son treatment the second time around.
Cause - several theories. Link - for sure.
Personally, as someone with a degree in this field, I think the links are disappearing because airliners are getting easier to fly.
The skills required to Captain an airliner in 1980 are very very different to those required just 30 years later.
I don't think the tests have quite caught up. Though when they do they'll probably looking to find people who cope well with boredom, are scared of authority and moderately into the introverted spectrum.
About as far away from Chuck Yeager as you could possibly get and a long way from Capt Sullenberger as well.
Sad. But true.
WWW