Lonewolf 50
Initial screening include a battery of tests (ASTB)
What's an ASTB?
demonstrated physical exam criterion met, and various interviews.
Makes enough sense
You typically need to also have demonstrated the ability to acquire a university degree with better than average marks.
Straight forward enough
Then, there is initial flight training. This isn't just training, it is also a screening process. Some things you don't find out until people try to do them. Air sense doesn't penetrate all skulls.
Finally, there is the minimum performance standard. If the first two criterion are met, one must still acquire sufficient flying and decision making skills in a finite period of instruction, or the USN or USAF will not keep investing time and money into the prospective aviator.
Well that's logical enough
Thirty years ago, once again, the same, thgough there began to be screening quotas cropping up for selected demographics to overcome systemic bias (or the perception thereof). One still had to show that one had the skills to fly, however, to get through it.
Affirmative action...
tetteringhead
I think the short-ish and serious-ish (sorry chaps) answer to the question is the well-known "stable extravert".
What defines a stable extravert?
Flyt3est
The ability to lie spontaneously about;
1. Flying ability.
2. Flying Experience.
3. Sexual Prowess.
4. Drinking ability.
I thought anybody could do that?
5. What actually happened to make the aircraft go tits-up.
That takes a bit more skill
Lonewolf 50
There are a few I've noticed over the years that seem to be universal ...
1. Self confidence
That's straight forward enough
2. Passion for learning/finding out/understanding
You couldn't really be very good at comprehending and adapting to enemy tactics otherwise I suppose...
3. Ability to compartmentalize
Can you explain exactly what you mean there? Do you mean like rationalization?
4. Ability to learn quickly
5. Ability to use inference
6. Ability to memorize facts in an orderly fashion
7. Ability to listen effectively
8. Ability to multi task
Makes sense enough...
Each of these manifests itself differently in behaviors in a given individual
You mean to the exact degree?