The Link Between Attitude, Risk Perception, Experience and Behaviour in Australian General Aviation
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The link between Attitude, Risk Perception, Experience and Behaviour in Australian General Aviation Justin L. Drinkwater B Aviation (Hons) A thesis to satisfy the requirements of the degree of Doctorate in Philosophy, at the University of New South Wales May, 2014 i PLEASE TYPE THE UNIVERSITY OF NEW SOUTH WALES Thesis/Dissertation Sheet Surname or Family name: Drinkwater First name: Justin Other name/s: Lee Abbreviation for degree as given in the University calendar: A VIA 1900 School: Science Faculty: Aviation Title: The link between Attitude, Risk Perception, Experience and Behaviour in Australian General Aviation Abstract 350 words maximum: (PLEASE TYPE) In Australia, the General Aviation (GA) sector exhibits a much poorer safety record than the airline industry; it is responsible for 93% of fatal accidents, whilst representing only 55% of the total flight hours. Leading factors said to account for the high fatality rate in GA include human error and poor decision-making; as a result, a concerted effort has been made to improve pilot' decision-making in GA. However, these efforts have not clearly addressed the role of attitudes in effective and safe behaviour (Thomas, 2004). In a similar vein, poor (or inferior) risk perception has been identified as a possible 'hole' in the defence of accidents in the literature (Reason, 1990). Therefore, the main aim of present study was to investigate the link between pilot attitude, risk perception, flight experience and risky flight behaviour. In order to do this, three experiments were undertaken. The first experiment involved the use of a questionnaire designed to investigate the link between pilots' attitude, risk perception and experiential data. The second experiment was designed to examine self-reported risk-taking behaviour of pilots. It therefore involved the use of a questionnaire to gather self-reports of intended behaviour. The third experiment was designed to investigate flight behaviour in a simulated high-risk situation and augment this behavioural data with an interview to gain further insight into the causal factors of pilots' risk management behaviour. The results revealed that in Australian GA, older pilots, those with more flight hours, or those that fly regularly did not exhibit superior perception of the risks in a given situation than their younger or less experienced counterparts. They did however exhibit lower levels of self-confidence (attitude). This finding differs from aviation research undertaken in the United States (Hunter, 2005), where risk perception and attitude were both related to experience. In terms of behaviour, risk perception was found to be the only predictor of effective risk management behaviour. Therefore, holding a 'good' attitude, or having a higher level of experience appeared to have no influence on the decisions by pilots as to their risk management behaviour. It is important to highlight that the sample in this research is different than that in the US research; the results obtained in this research are based upon a relatively small cohort of pilots that are limited in terms' of their experience, age and vocation. Specifically, no airline pilots were included in this study, only General Aviation and trainee pilots were utilised. The generalisability of these results within the wider aviation industry and other domains remains untested. 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Requests for a longer period of restriction may be considered in exceptional circumstances and require the a roval of the Dean of Graduate Research. FOR OFFICE USE ONLY Date of completion of requirements for Award: THIS SHEET IS TO BE GLUED TO THE INSIDE FRONT COVER OF THE THESIS ii COPYRIGHT STATEMENT 'I hereby grant the University of New South Wales or its agents the right to archive and to make available my thesis or dissertation in whole or part in the University libraries in all forms of media, now or here after known, subject to the provisions of the Copyright Act 1968. I retain all proprietary rights, such as patent rights. I also retain the right to use in future works (such as articles or books) all or part of this thesis or dissertation. I also authorise University Microfilms to use the 350 word abstract of my thesis in Dissertation Abstract International (this is applicable to doctoral theses only). I have either used no substantial portions of copyright material in my thesis or I have obtained permission to use copyright material; where permission has not been granted I have applied/will apply for a partial restriction of the digital copy of ::~::siso;;ition 'al/c. Date . ~l/11 . /ltr ................................................... AUTHENTICITY STATEMENT 'I certify that the Library deposit digital copy is a direct equivalent of the final officially approved version of my thesis. No emendation of content has occurred and if there are any minor variations ·n formatting, they are the result of the :~~:::sian t";l.~~: ...................... ······························ Date .... 7.:/u .. ./.(tt ............... .... .. ... .. ... ........ .. ...... ..... ... 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Abstract In Australia, the General Aviation (GA) sector exhibits a much poorer safety record than the airline industry; it is responsible for 93% of fatal accidents, whilst representing only 55% of the total flight hours. Leading factors said to account for the high fatality rate in GA include human error and poor decision‐making; as a result, a concerted effort has been made to improve pilot’ decision‐making in GA. However, these efforts have not clearly addressed the role of attitudes in effective and safe behaviour (Thomas, 2004). In a similar vein, poor (or inferior) risk perception has been identified as a possible ‘hole’ in the defence of accidents in the literature (Reason, 1990). Therefore, the main aim of present study was to investigate the link between pilot attitude, risk perception, flight experience and risky flight behaviour. In order to do this, three experiments were undertaken. The first experiment involved the use of a questionnaire designed to investigate the link between pilots’ attitude, risk perception and experiential data. The second experiment was designed to examine self‐reported risk‐taking behaviour of pilots. It therefore involved the use of a questionnaire to gather self‐reports of intended behaviour. The third experiment was designed to investigate flight behaviour in a simulated high‐risk situation and augment this behavioural data with an interview to gain further insight into the causal factors of pilots’ risk management behaviour. The results revealed that in Australian GA, older pilots, those with more flight hours, or those that fly regularly did not exhibit superior perception of the risks in a given situation than their younger or less experienced counterparts. They did however exhibit lower levels of self‐confidence (attitude). This finding differs from aviation research undertaken in the United States (Hunter, 2005), where risk perception and attitude were both related to experience. In terms of behaviour, risk perception was found to be the only predictor of effective risk management behaviour. Therefore, holding a ‘good’ attitude, or having a higher level of experience appeared to have no influence on the decisions by pilots as to their risk management behaviour. It is important to highlight that the sample in this research is different than that in the US research; the results obtained in this research are based upon a relatively small cohort of pilots that are limited in terms of their experience, age and vocation. Specifically, no airline pilots were included in this study, only General Aviation and trainee pilots were utilised. The generalisability of these results within the wider aviation industry and other domains remains untested. iv Acknowledgements First, I must express my sincerest thanks to Dr. Brett Molesworth, who persisted with me, guided me and pushed me during this thesis. Brett was a perfect model of dedication and professionalism in his work, and an inspiration during this project. Credit goes to Brett for the excellent flight simulator that the department now has, which was a joy to use. Thanks go to both Dr. Steven Shorrock and Dr. Boyd Falconer who were both excellent supervisors in the early stages of this work. Steve’s ability to provoke thought and to provide an alternate point of view was invaluable.