"Effects of Visibility, Cloud Ceiling, and Financial Incentive on General Aviation Voluntary Takeoff Into Adverse Weather" by William Knecht

Presentation

Effects of Visibility, Cloud Ceiling, and Financial Incentive on General Aviation Voluntary Takeoff Into Adverse Weather

12th International Symposium on Aviation Psychology (2003)

William Knecht, Federal Aviation Administration, Civil Aerospace Medical Institute
Howard Harris, Jr., Federal Aviation Administration, Civil Aerospace Medical Institute
Scott Shappell, Federal Aviation Administration, Civil Aerospace Medical Institute

Abstract

Weather-related accidents in U.S. general aviation are a serious problem. In this study, we investigated the effects of ground visibility, cloud ceiling, and financial incentive on 60 pilots' decisions whether or not to take off into marginal weather. Results showed trends for Financial Incentive (p = .07), Visibility (p = .11), and Ceiling (p = .43). The interaction Visibility x Ceiling (p = .037) gives support to a cognitive model of pilot weather-related behavior based on simultaneous consideration of multiple factors.

Keywords

weather flying,
general aviation,
go-no go decisions

Disciplines

Aviation Safety and Security

Publication Date

April, 2003

Location

Dayton, OH

Comments

This paper was published in vol. 1 of the 2 volume set on pp. 669-673.

Citation Information

William Knecht, Howard Harris and Scott Shappell. "Effects of Visibility, Cloud Ceiling, and Financial Incentive on General Aviation Voluntary Takeoff Into Adverse Weather" 12th International Symposium on Aviation Psychology (2003)
Available at: http://works.bepress.com/scott-shappell/64/