Background & Purpose: In today's rapidly advancing technological world, human resources have become the most valuable assets for organizations. In the military aviation sector, pilots play a crucial role in ensuring national security and need special skills such as quick decision-making and crisis management. This study aims to present a new model for developing the talents of piloting students by identifying key strategies and drivers, providing an operational framework to enhance their performance in both educational and operational settings.
Methodology: The study used a qualitative approach and an inductive strategy. First, it reviewed the literature on talent management, talent identification, and the competencies required for pilots. Then, semi-structured interviews were conducted with nine pilot instructors with managerial experience in pilot training. The data collected from the literature and interviews were analyzed using thematic analysis with MaxQDA2020 software.
Findings: The research identified four main components, 24 sub-components, and 107 basic concepts that influence the development of piloting students' talents. These four main components are development strategies, drivers and facilitators, development mechanisms, and the outcomes of talent development. Development strategies, through designing higher-level documents and macro planning, provide a solid framework for identifying and nurturing talents. Organizational, social, and technological drivers also play a key role in enhancing students' technical and cognitive skills by creating supportive environments and utilizing modern technologies. Mechanisms such as specialized training and mentoring help improve practical skills and decision-making.
Conclusion: The results showed that proper talent development can enhance performance and success in the Air Force. New strategies, such as drafting higher-level documents, macro policy-making, and utilizing advanced technologies, offer a solid framework for talent identification, nurturing, and management. Drivers and facilitators like fairness in processes, social support, the culture of continuous learning, and modern technologies are crucial in enhancing abilities and preparing students for professional challenges. Additionally, mechanisms like self-development, advanced training, and flight simulations effectively enhance specialized and psychological skills. The outcomes of this research include improved cognitive performance, increased flight safety, higher organizational commitment, and reduced training costs, all emphasizing the need for a comprehensive and systematic approach to developing piloting talents. Based on the findings, it is recommended to improve the talent development process for piloting students by updating strategic documents, using modern educational technologies, and strengthening organizational culture. These actions, aligned with technological advancements and enhanced practical and psychological skills, can boost training performance and effectiveness.