Continued flight under visual flight rules into instrument meteorological conditions is the predo... more 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 meteorological conditions and marries those ideas with the extensive studies on how motivation 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 v 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. vi DEDICATION It is said a mother walks in front of her child in times of peril, beside in times of uncertainty, and behind in times of triumph. My mother has been with me every step of the way. Without her there would be no triumph. I owe my mental wellness, willingness to continue, and overall perseverance to a mamma bear who knows just when to lead, when to push, and when to get out of the way. Thanks mom. I also dedicate this to the family prayer warrior, my sister, who definitely knows how to "get them up" when needed. And boy, were they needed! vii ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Throughout the entire doctoral process, I have been very blessed to have many different people positively influence the outcome. It is impossible to list the entire village it took here, but I would like to take this opportunity to thank just a few. First, I would like to wholeheartedly thank my chair, Dr. Scott Winter, who had the herculean task of single-handedly talking me off several cliffs throughout the dissertation writing process. His patience, poise and graceful dealing with my default headstrong mode with respect and decorum was simply outstanding. God was looking out for me the day Dr. Winter agreed to step up to the challenge. Next, I would like to acknowledge the people I consider my personal and professional mentors. Dr. Haydee Cuevas, Dr. Cheryl Bartlett, and Ms. Susan Parson. Dr. Cuevas has been my go-to human factors/psychology sounding board in this technology driven, aviation focused world. She was the first to assure me my ideas were not completely off base, and she remains the most powerful advocate for both human factors and inclusion in the aviation domain I have ever known. Dr. Bartlett had the additional heavy lift of also serving as second-mom and has done so since I was twelve years old and first showed up at her door. She got a new babysitter, and I got a lifelong personal and professional confidant. Susan Parson is probably The. Most. Fierce person I know in the entire Federal Aviation Administration. She, above all others, has taught me how to remain patient, strike when the iron is hot, and bend the situation to good by the sheer force of my will. There is absolutely no way I would be where I am in my career without her insight and viii wisdom which has always been dispatched with intellect, savvy, and a healthy dose of snark.
Interest in advanced air mobility (AAM) and urban air mobility (UAM) operations for on-demand pas... more Interest in advanced air mobility (AAM) and urban air mobility (UAM) operations for on-demand passenger and cargo transport continues to grow. There is ongoing research on market demand and forecast, community acceptance, privacy, and security. There is also ongoing research by National Aeronautics and Space Administration , Federal Aviation Administration, academia, and industry on airspace integration, regulatory, process, and procedural challenges. Safe integration of UAM and AAM will also require different stakeholder perspectives such as air traffic controllers, manned aircraft pilots, remote pilots, UAM operators, and the community. This research aimed to assess the willingness of manned aircraft pilots to operate in UAM integrated airspace based on airspace complexity and UAM automation level. In addition, a moderated mediation analysis was conducted using trust and perceived risk as mediators and operator type as a moderating variable. The results indicated that automation l...
Continued flight under visual flight rules into instrument meteorological conditions remains the ... more Continued flight under visual flight rules into instrument meteorological conditions remains the predominant cause for fatal accidents by percentage for general aviation aircraft operations. There are gaps in the research in determining how motivation might influence the decision-making process. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to determine how motivation and meteorological conditions might affect a pilot’s willingness to persist in flight into meteorological conditions. Four hundred and fifty-four general aviation pilots participated in a mixed factorial experiment to assess their willingness to persist in varying weather conditions. Participants were randomly assigned into one of three motivation groups (intrinsic, extrinsic, or no motivation) and were subjected to all three meteorological conditions (visual, marginal, and instrument) that were randomized in order of appearance. They were then asked to indicate their willingness to persist in each condition via a slider sc...
Continued flight under visual flight rules into instrument meteorological conditions is the predo... more 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 meteorological conditions and marries those ideas with the extensive studies on how motivation 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 v 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. vi DEDICATION It is said a mother walks in front of her child in times of peril, beside in times of uncertainty, and behind in times of triumph. My mother has been with me every step of the way. Without her there would be no triumph. I owe my mental wellness, willingness to continue, and overall perseverance to a mamma bear who knows just when to lead, when to push, and when to get out of the way. Thanks mom. I also dedicate this to the family prayer warrior, my sister, who definitely knows how to "get them up" when needed. And boy, were they needed! vii ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Throughout the entire doctoral process, I have been very blessed to have many different people positively influence the outcome. It is impossible to list the entire village it took here, but I would like to take this opportunity to thank just a few. First, I would like to wholeheartedly thank my chair, Dr. Scott Winter, who had the herculean task of single-handedly talking me off several cliffs throughout the dissertation writing process. His patience, poise and graceful dealing with my default headstrong mode with respect and decorum was simply outstanding. God was looking out for me the day Dr. Winter agreed to step up to the challenge. Next, I would like to acknowledge the people I consider my personal and professional mentors. Dr. Haydee Cuevas, Dr. Cheryl Bartlett, and Ms. Susan Parson. Dr. Cuevas has been my go-to human factors/psychology sounding board in this technology driven, aviation focused world. She was the first to assure me my ideas were not completely off base, and she remains the most powerful advocate for both human factors and inclusion in the aviation domain I have ever known. Dr. Bartlett had the additional heavy lift of also serving as second-mom and has done so since I was twelve years old and first showed up at her door. She got a new babysitter, and I got a lifelong personal and professional confidant. Susan Parson is probably The. Most. Fierce person I know in the entire Federal Aviation Administration. She, above all others, has taught me how to remain patient, strike when the iron is hot, and bend the situation to good by the sheer force of my will. There is absolutely no way I would be where I am in my career without her insight and viii wisdom which has always been dispatched with intellect, savvy, and a healthy dose of snark.
Interest in advanced air mobility (AAM) and urban air mobility (UAM) operations for on-demand pas... more Interest in advanced air mobility (AAM) and urban air mobility (UAM) operations for on-demand passenger and cargo transport continues to grow. There is ongoing research on market demand and forecast, community acceptance, privacy, and security. There is also ongoing research by National Aeronautics and Space Administration , Federal Aviation Administration, academia, and industry on airspace integration, regulatory, process, and procedural challenges. Safe integration of UAM and AAM will also require different stakeholder perspectives such as air traffic controllers, manned aircraft pilots, remote pilots, UAM operators, and the community. This research aimed to assess the willingness of manned aircraft pilots to operate in UAM integrated airspace based on airspace complexity and UAM automation level. In addition, a moderated mediation analysis was conducted using trust and perceived risk as mediators and operator type as a moderating variable. The results indicated that automation l...
Continued flight under visual flight rules into instrument meteorological conditions remains the ... more Continued flight under visual flight rules into instrument meteorological conditions remains the predominant cause for fatal accidents by percentage for general aviation aircraft operations. There are gaps in the research in determining how motivation might influence the decision-making process. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to determine how motivation and meteorological conditions might affect a pilot’s willingness to persist in flight into meteorological conditions. Four hundred and fifty-four general aviation pilots participated in a mixed factorial experiment to assess their willingness to persist in varying weather conditions. Participants were randomly assigned into one of three motivation groups (intrinsic, extrinsic, or no motivation) and were subjected to all three meteorological conditions (visual, marginal, and instrument) that were randomized in order of appearance. They were then asked to indicate their willingness to persist in each condition via a slider sc...
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