Objective To analyze the personality traits of the candidates of naval flight cadets,explore the differences among different student sources and different types,and identify the key traits affecting psychological assessment.Methods A total of 945 candidates of naval flight cadets were tested using the Cattell's 16-Personality Factors Questionnaire(16PF)and Navy Recruitment Psychological Selection System.The differences among different student sources and different types were analyzed.The classification model was constructed by support vector machine(SVM)to identify the key indicators of personality traits of suitable candidates.Results There was no significant difference in the personality traits of different student sources except intelligence.There were statistically significant differences in 8 dimensions(A[agreeableness],C[stability],E[confidence],F[excitability],H[courage],M[fantasy],O[anxiety],Q3[self-discipline])and 4 sub factors(X1[adaptive anxiety],X2[introversion and extroversion],Y1[psychological health],Y2[(professional achievement])in personality traits between qualified and eliminated individuals in psychological assessment(P<0.05).There was no significant difference in personality traits between the psychologically qualified subjects with and without carrier flight potential.Gregariousness,assertiveness,imaginativeness,and anxiety were the key indicators to identify the personality traits of flyable subjects.Conclusion Twelve indicators of personality traits related to psychological assessment should be considered for recruiting naval pilots,and the four key indicators of personality traits of flyable subjects should be mainly examined,which is important for effectively screening military flight potential and accurately selecting naval fight cadets.