Assessing If Motivation Impacts General Aviation Pilots' Persistence in Varying Weather Conditions PDF Download

Author: Sabrina Woods
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Aircraft accidents
Languages : en
Pages : 0

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Book Description
"Continued flight under visual flight rules into instrument meteorological conditions is the predominant cause for fatal accidents by percentage, for general aviation aircraft operations. It is possible that a pilot's motivation or reason for flying will override other safer, more logical courses of action when a hazard presents itself. The decision appears to stem from a willingness to persist in a course of action despite factors that indicate an alternate and safer course is warranted. This research addresses what is currently presumed about the decision to continue flying under visual flight rules into instrument conditions and marries those ideas with the extensive studies on how theoretically affects the decision-making process. The research used a quantitative factorial experimental design and explored what bearing, if any, does type of motivation, or meteorological condition, or the interaction of the two have on a pilot's willingness to persist in visual flight rule into instrument meteorological conditions. The researcher applied fundamental motivation theory and aviation regulation in the development of scenarios that were used to assess a pilot's willingness to persist in unsafe weather conditions, and to determine what role motivation and the weather conditions might have played in that decision. A 3x3 factorial design was followed, and the method of analysis was a two-way mixed analysis of variance. The independent variable meteorological condition indicated a significant effect on the dependent variable willingness to persist, and the independent variable motivation did not indicate a significant effect. The interaction between meteorological condition and motivation resulted in a significant effect on the dependent variable, particularly in the marginal weather condition, although with a low effect size. This result suggests that those who are motivated to fly for a specific reason or reasons might be more willing to persist over those who have no real reason to be flying. A recommendation for future research is that the experiment be replicated in a direct observation experimental design in either a full or partial motion simulator. Further defining how motivation and meteorological conditions influence aeronautical decision-making can change the way aviation safety advocates, academics, regulators, and industry approach the issue. The results of this research could help determine what part of aeronautical decision making is objective and what is more subject to a person's base desires."--Abstract

Author: Kimberly R. Raddatz
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category :
Languages : en
Pages :

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Systems that support or require human interaction are generally easier to learn, use, and remember when their organization is consistent with the user's knowledge and experiences (Norman, 1983; Roske-Hofstrand & Paap, 1986). Thus, in order for interface designers to truly design for the user, they must first have a way of deriving a representation of what the user knows about the domain of interest. The current study evaluated three techniques for eliciting knowledge structures for how General Aviation pilots think about weather information. Weather was chosen because of its varying implications for pilots of different levels of experience. Two elicitation techniques (Relationship Judgment and Card Sort) asked pilots to explicitly consider the relationship between 15 weather-related information concepts. The third technique, Prime Recognition Task, used response times and priming to implicitly reflect the strength of relationship between concepts in semantic memory. Techniques were evaluated in terms of pilot performance, conceptual structure validity, and required resources for employment. Validity was assessed in terms of the extent to which each technique identified differences in organization of weather information among pilots of different experience levels. Multidimensional scaling was used to transform proximity data collected by each technique into conceptual structures representing the relationship between concepts. Results indicated that Card Sort was the technique that most consistently tapped into knowledge structure affected by experience. Only conceptual structures based on Card Sort data were able to be used to both discriminate between pilots of different experience levels and accurately classify experienced pilots as "experienced". Additionally, Card Sort was the most efficient and effective technique to employ in terms of preparation time, time on task, flexibility, and face validity. The Card Sort provided opportunities for deliberation, revision, and visual feedback that allowed the pilots to engage in a deeper level of processing at which experience may play a stronger role. Relationship Judgment and Prime Recognition Task characteristics (e.g., time pressure, independent judgments) may have motivated pilots to rely on a more shallow or text-based level of processing (i.e., general semantic meaning) that is less affected by experience. Implications for menu structure design and assessment are discussed.

Author: Thomas P. Turner
Publisher: McGraw-Hill Professional Publishing
ISBN: 9780070656079
Category : Meteorology in aeronautics
Languages : en
Pages : 0

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A guide to apply the spectrum of weather effects to aircraft pilotage and flight, this work provides coverage of the causes and workings of weather conditions and apply weather data to actual flight. It features insight into weather theory, reporting procedures, flying techniques, and technology.

Author: Nathan Brelage
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 0

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Book Description
An understanding of how pilots complete their flight tasks is an essential element of preventing aviation incidents. Disorientation or a loss of control of the aircraft are some direct causes of such events. This study seeks to assess the impact of environmental factors on the ability of general aviation pilots to complete flight tasks. Certified Pilots (n=16) with experience flying a Cessna 172 or similar aircraft participated. They were tasked with flying a virtual model of a Cessna 172 Skyhawk. This was accomplished using X-Plane 11 flight simulation software, Honeycomb Alpha flight controls, and a Saitek throttle quadrant. The software was integrated with an HTC Vive Pro virtual reality headset. Within X-Plane 11, three environmental conditions were created: Clear, Partial Clouds (Partial Cover), and Full Clouds (Total Cover). All weather conditions other than cloud cover were the same across the environments with no wind present. No clouds are present in the Clear environment. Roughly 50% of the ground is obscured by clouds in the Partial Clouds environment. The ground is completely obscured by clouds in the Full Clouds environment. While in an environment, pilots were tasked with performing a series of 500 ft ascents, 500 ft descents, 90° turns to the right, and 90° turns to the left. These tasks were completed above the cloud layers of the environments. During Day A, the pilots flew in each of the environments twice. During Day B, pilots flew in the Full Clouds environment twice and were exposed to hypoxic air during one of those times. The hypoxic air is 10% oxygen and simulates an altitude of approximately 14,000 ft. The pilots were assessed based on their altitude error, heading error, heading rate of change, task duration, and the amount of motor control effort that was required to complete the task. When flying in environmental conditions that have fewer visual cues such as the Total Cover condition, pilots experienced more error and had to exert more effort to complete the tasks. Visual condition proved to be a statistically significant factor for aileron effort during the altitude tasks (ascents and descents) (p=0.0001, P=1.00), duration of the altitude tasks (p=0.0001, P=1.00), the final heading error of the heading tasks (turns to the right and turns to the left) (p=0.0030, P=0.87), and the duration of the heading tasks (p=0.0001, P=1.00). A trend towards statistical significance of visual condition was observed for the final altitude error of the heading tasks (p=0.0581, P=0.56) and the aileron effort of the heading tasks (p=0.0656, P=0.54). The direction of the task proved to be a significant factor for the final altitude error of the altitude tasks (p=0.019, P=0.65), the aileron effort of the altitude tasks (p=0.0001, P=0.99), the elevator effort of the altitude tasks (p=0.0001, P=0.99), the duration of the altitude tasks (p=0.0001, P=1.00), the final altitude error of the heading tasks (p=0.00297, P=0.84), and the final heading error of the heading tasks (p=0.0001, P=0.99). Exposure to hypoxia resulted in a decrease in performance with an increase in the effort of the pilots. The oxygen condition was significant for the aileron effort during the altitude tasks (p=0.000005, P=0.999) and the aileron effort during the heading tasks (p=0.0135, P=0.71). The direction of the task also proved to be a significant factor for the duration of the altitude tasks (p=0.03315, P=0.573), the absolute altitude error of the heading tasks (p=0.048, P=0.51), the aileron effort of the heading tasks (p=0.0003, P=0.96), and the duration of the heading tasks (p=0.002001, P=0.888). The significance of the task direction reflects the torque of the engine and differences in how the pilots perform certain tasks. The investigation of flight behaviors continues from here with a closer examination of variability of pilot behaviors during tasks. Additionally, the physiological data collected as part of this study still needs to be integrated with the flight data. Finally, the study will be repeated with an active motion platform to investigate the effects of vestibular feedback on pilot performance.

Author: Cruit Jessica
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Aircraft accidents
Languages : en
Pages : 150

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Book Description
Weather-related accidents continue to challenge the general aviation community and with the development of advanced weather technology, GA pilots need additional education and training on how to effectively use these weather products to ensure flight safety. Currently, the literature on aviation weather suggests that there is a gap in both training and assessment strategy for GA pilots. Furthermore, several studies suggest that there needs to be more assessment of weather-related scenario/application questions for the private pilot's written knowledge exam in order to assess the deeper level of knowledge for weather-related material. The purpose of this study is to design a scenario-based exam that assesses GA pilots' weather knowledge and then to determine whether the scenario-based exam better predicts GA pilot performance in a simulated weather scenario than a traditional weather-related exam. The results of the study could potentially help aviation officials better assess and train general pilots on weather-related topics.

Author:
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 22

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Book Description
Inadvertent flight into hazardous weather can have devastating results for general aviation pilots (NTSB, 2005; Goh and Wiegmann, 2001). In fact, weather is the leading cause of fatalities in general aviation. The purpose of this study was to determine if a graphical weather display combined with an instructional training paradigm could improve pilots' ability to maintain a safe flying distance from convective thunderstorm activity. Previous research suggested that giving pilots the ability to see accurately the weather they are flying in and around may tempt some pilots to try to fly through small breaks in the convective activity. Indeed, Beringer and Ball (2004) found that pilots using graphical weather could be classified into two types of users (tactical vs. strategic). Tactical users were those pilots who used the information to try and navigate through or very close to the hazardous weather. Strategic users were those pilots who used the graphical information to plan and maintain a safe distance (20 nautical miles or greater) from the storm. An instructional slide presentation based on the Aeronautical Information Manual (AIM, 7-1-27) guidelines was developed with the intent of modifying the behavior of users classified as "tactical." Fifty-seven general aviation pilots were evaluated on a low-visibility visual flight rules (VFR) scenario where they encountered an encroaching thunderstorm traversing their flight plan. The pilots were separated into two groups, tactical or strategic users, according to how they responded to a simulated scenario of a VFR flight using a graphical weather display. Half of the pilots in each group then received training to see if it would decrease the incidence of tactical usage. Additionally, a control group was evaluated that flew the multifunction display without the graphical weather information.

Author: Mike Wickson
Publisher: Crowood Press UK
ISBN: 9781840372847
Category : Transportation
Languages : en
Pages : 0

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Book Description
This new third edition of 'Meteorology for Pilots' has been modified to satisfy all aspects of the meteorological requirements necessary to be JAR compliant. It also discusses the latest data concerning global warming and its consequences, especially in relation to the El Nino effect. For aviation the study of meteorology provides knowledge and awareness of the atmosphere, which is, after all, the medium within which the pilot works. A proper study of the subject will provide the basis that can enable a pilot to appreciate properly the weather forecast given to him for a flight - and indeed to forecast for himself. Technical aircraft safety is now approaching the highest standards, while safety affected by particular weather conditions remains a large problem. Clearly a proper study of meteorology can only assist the pilot in providing safe passages.

Author: Federal Aviation Administration
Publisher: Simon and Schuster
ISBN: 1620874598
Category : Transportation
Languages : en
Pages : 112

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Book Description
Every day in the United States, over two million men, women, and children step onto an aircraft and place their lives in the hands of strangers. As anyone who has ever flown knows, modern flight offers unparalleled advantages in travel and freedom, but it also comes with grave responsibility and risk. For the first time in its history, the Federal Aviation Administration has put together a set of easy-to-understand guidelines and principles that will help pilots of any skill level minimize risk and maximize safety while in the air. The Risk Management Handbook offers full-color diagrams and illustrations to help students and pilots visualize the science of flight, while providing straightforward information on decision-making and the risk-management process.

Author: Douglas A. Wiegmann
Publisher: Routledge
ISBN: 1351962353
Category : Technology & Engineering
Languages : en
Pages : 174

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Book Description
Human error is implicated in nearly all aviation accidents, yet most investigation and prevention programs are not designed around any theoretical framework of human error. Appropriate for all levels of expertise, the book provides the knowledge and tools required to conduct a human error analysis of accidents, regardless of operational setting (i.e. military, commercial, or general aviation). The book contains a complete description of the Human Factors Analysis and Classification System (HFACS), which incorporates James Reason's model of latent and active failures as a foundation. Widely disseminated among military and civilian organizations, HFACS encompasses all aspects of human error, including the conditions of operators and elements of supervisory and organizational failure. It attracts a very broad readership. Specifically, the book serves as the main textbook for a course in aviation accident investigation taught by one of the authors at the University of Illinois. This book will also be used in courses designed for military safety officers and flight surgeons in the U.S. Navy, Army and the Canadian Defense Force, who currently utilize the HFACS system during aviation accident investigations. Additionally, the book has been incorporated into the popular workshop on accident analysis and prevention provided by the authors at several professional conferences world-wide. The book is also targeted for students attending Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University which has satellite campuses throughout the world and offers a course in human factors accident investigation for many of its majors. In addition, the book will be incorporated into courses offered by Transportation Safety International and the Southern California Safety Institute. Finally, this book serves as an excellent reference guide for many safety professionals and investigators already in the field.

Author:
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 26

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Book Description
Interview data obtained from 221 general aviation (GA) pilots are qualitatively scored for factors which influence weather-related decision making. Factors finding relatively strong support are (a) the specific type of weather to be faced (storms, ice, visibility, and cloud ceiling are of greatest concern to GA pilots), (b) type of flight (IFR vs. VFR), (c) pilot physiological state (primarily disorientation), and (d) the inherent uncertainty of weather and the resultant cognitive difficulty of understanding this uncertainty. Factors finding more modest support are (a) social and/or economic pressures, and (b) impulsive behavior. Additionally, relatively strong support is found in previously unpublished data for the influence of mission goals. Research directions, remediations, and the value of qualitative analysis are discussed.