Influence of a positive self-concept on the successful in-flight training of cadets

The paper presents professionally important qualities of the cadets of the Krasnodar Higher Military Aviation School of Pilots named after the Hero of the Soviet Union A.K. Serov, necessary for mastering the flying profession, and highlights the influence of the professional self on the degree of their success in flight training. The dynamics of changes in the professional self as a component of the professional self-concept among cadets with different levels of success in flight training have been experimentally investigated. The paper also presents the results of the psychological examination of cadets regarding the stable dominant mental state, characteristics of the psychological and sociopsychological levels of the dominant mental state according to the method of L.V. Kulikov (short version) and their relationship with the level of formation of flight skills. Cadets with a high level of success in flight training were characterized by more pronounced increases in average values on the scales “active–passive attitude to the life situation,” “tone: high–low,” “stability–instability of the emotional background” and “satisfaction–dissatisfaction with life in general,” which indicated the formation of more professional self. However, too much increase in the level of the self-concept can lead to negative results. Inadequate self-concept negatively affects the functional state of cadets. In this regard, a personalized approach to the medical support of cadets’ flights and their dynamic observation, taking into account individual psychophysiological characteristics, is relevant. The participation of an aviation doctor in the training of cadets of aviation schools with a pronounced professional self helps the instructor pilot in organizing a personalized approach; the formation and development of professionally important qualities, fostering a well-founded sense of confidence in their abilities, strengths, and capabilities from the very beginning of flight practice; motivation of cadets to strive to improve their flight skills; and assistance in their awareness that the successful completion of the task and flight safety depend on a real assessment of their professional skills and level of flight training.