Education Commons^™

Career Choice Motivation For Professional Pilots, Brett Watts Ph.D., Tamilla Curtis Dba, Scott Ambrose Dba

Journal of Aviation/Aerospace Education & Research

This study identified key motivational factors of current flight training students to better understand how individuals are motivated to pursue a career in aviation. The theoretical framework used in this study was based upon self-determination theory, as originally introduced by Deci and Ryan (2000).The research approach for this study was a semi-structured interview process where students were asked eight foundational career motivation source questions and their responses were organized into career choice motivation categories. Results showed most participants became motivated to pursue a piloting career at a very young age. This early motivation was largely due to influence from third …

Training Methods Research Opportunities For A Pilot Workforce In Transition: A Literature Review, James Birdsong Phd, Kurt L. Reesman Phd

Journal of Aviation/Aerospace Education & Research

Over the next 15 years, 50% of the U.S. commercial air carrier workforce will retire, making way for younger pilots from Generations Y and Z. This review identifies the emerging pilot workforce and training methods, including emerging technologies and learning methods, as well as research gaps.

Addressing The Target Outcomes, Functional Objectives And Functional Skills Of Aspiring Aviators In Individualized Education Plans And Section 504 Plans, Gary C. Booker Bsc

Journal of Aviation/Aerospace Education & Research

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has very specific requirements for individuals with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) that center around the executive function abilities of individuals without the aid of ADHD medications, which are forbidden for use by the FAA. These abilities are evaluated by the FAA's medical examination process, which involve a background investigation into a person's history. K-12 Administrators and educators can assist young aspiring pilots with ADHD by placing aviation-specific functional educational goals in their Individualized Educational Plans (IEPs) and Section 504 Plans.

Development Of A Safety Performance Decision-Making Tool For Flight Training Organizations, Marisa Aguiar Ph.D., Carolina L. Anderson Ph.D., Dothang Truong Ph.D., Gregory S. Woo Ph.D., Kenneth Byrnes Ph.D.

Journal of Aviation/Aerospace Education & Research

The purpose of the research was to create and validate a safety performance decision-making tool to transform a reactive safety model into a predictive, decision-making tool, specific to flight training organizations, to increase safety and aid in operational decision-making. Using Monte Carlo simulation, the study conducted simulation runs based on operational ranges to simulate the operating conditions with varying levels of controllable resources in terms of personnel (Aviation Maintenance Technicians and Instructor Pilots) and expenditures (active flight students and available aircraft). Four What-if Scenarios were conducted by manipulating the controllable inputs. Changes to the controllable inputs are reflected by variations …

How Intensity Impacts Success In Collegiate Flight Programs, Andrew Leonard Ph.D.

Journal of Aviation/Aerospace Education & Research

With colleges and universities continuing to face challenges around student retention and degree completion, collegiate aviation program are attempting to find ways to improve the success rate of students enrolled in their programs. This is more important than ever as the demand for pilots in the commercial aviation industry continues to grow (Boeing, 2022). Research has shown that there is a connection between effort and success in higher education. Astin (1993) identified and measured student effort by the amount of time spent on tasks studying. He indicated a positive correlation with almost every academic outcome he tested, including grades, persistence, …

Collegiate Aviation Students’ Perceptions Towards The Integration Of Diversity And Inclusion Training: A Qualitative Case Study, Jorge L. D. Albelo Ph.D., Nicola M. O'Toole M.S., Eugene Kim B.S.

Journal of Aviation/Aerospace Education & Research

Multiple industries have become more supportive and engaging places to work by embedding diversity, equity, and inclusion within their institutional processes. Institutions of higher education have seen the educational benefits of integrating diversity and inclusion principles within their program outcomes. Notably, the aviation industry has seen an increase in diversity, equity, and inclusion practices to attract more customers and increase the number of potential applicants. Yet, there is scant literature on how aviation students at collegiate flight institutions perceive the integration of diversity and inclusion training within the airline industry as part of their career development. This study aimed to …

Universal Design For Learning (Udl): A Contemporary Approach To Professional Flight Instruction, Denise K. Whitford Ph.D., Cfi/Cfii, Bernard W. Wulle Ph.D., Cfi/Cfii/Atp, Nicoletta Fala Ph.D., Cfi/Cfii

Journal of Aviation/Aerospace Education & Research

In the United States, an increasing number of aspiring commercial airline pilots are teaching as Certificated Flight Instructors, presumably to reach the minimum required flight hours and move into airline flight operations. High-quality training is the foundation of a high-quality globalized aviation workforce, yet there has been a persistent lack of systemic in-depth guidance surrounding how instructors are taught how to teach aviation subject matter, justifying the need for incorporating the use of evidence-based and promising practices from education fields into flight instruction. In this conceptual article, we outline the integral components and the research basis of the universal design …

Evaluating System Usability, Workload Suitability, And User Experience Of Game-Based Virtual Reality In Spaceflight Education And Training, Lana Laskey , M.S., Joseph R. Keebler , Ph.D.

Journal of Aviation/Aerospace Education & Research

Game-based instruction and immersive virtual reality are enhanced pedagogical methods beneficial in training environments involving complex disciplines, ranging from medical applications to construction engineering technology. This study investigated the use of game-based virtual reality (GBVR) when applied to the complex field of spaceflight education and training. As modern society places increasing demand on space-based amenities, the need for proficient satellite operators will also increase, requiring more accessible and advanced training options. Satellite ground control training scenarios, immersed in the GBVR environment, were developed and deployed to university student participants. Multiple validated scales were employed to measure the GBVR system regarding …

Effectiveness Of Virtual Reality Simulations For Civilian, Ab Initio Pilot Training, Michelle P. Hight, Stephanie G. Fussell, Martin A. Kurkchubasche, Ian J. Hummell

Journal of Aviation/Aerospace Education & Research

Aviation training in the immersive Virtual Reality (VR) world has the power to overcome physical constraints, presenting cues and stimuli that would not be available in flight, nor in a two-dimensional (2D) environment. This gives VR powerful potential as a simulation tool for learning complex skills and maneuvers in the cockpit. This study evaluated the effectiveness of VR simulations as compared to traditional 2D desktop simulations in teaching maneuvers and skills to ab initio (inexperienced) civilian pilot trainees. This quasi-experimental project involved 17 freshman pilot students in an experimental college course at a private university campus in the fall semester …

Plain Language Or Anything But?, Jennifer F. Drayton, Averil Coxhead

Journal of Aviation/Aerospace Education & Research

This paper focuses on what language needs to be used in emergencies by air traffic controllers based on an investigation of plain language definitions and descriptions in International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) publications and in the beliefs of nine air traffic controllers in the United Arab Emirates. The aim of the study is pedagogical, in that it is important to establish what language trainee air traffic controllers need to use during emergencies, but there is little in the way of course books or materials that can inform course development. Findings suggest there are contradictions in the ICAO documentation, and differences …

“You’Ll Never Really Be One Of Us”: Women’S Underrepresentation In The Aviation Workforce, Rebecca K. Lutte Ph.D., Shannon M. Morrison Ph.D.

Journal of Aviation/Aerospace Education & Research

Women are underrepresented in many aviation occupations despite outreach and recruitment efforts from multiple organizations. Attracting women into aviation is a necessity not only to address workforce demand but also to achieve the benefits of a more diverse workforce to include enhanced profitability, safety, and innovation. To address the gender gap, the research presented here attempts to inform recruitment/retention strategies by identifying both the positive and negative factors that influence a woman’s decision to pursue a career in aviation and the decision to persist. Additionally, factors such as participation in youth outreach programs, role of mentors, influencers who support or …

An Analysis Of The Effect Of Self-Efficacy Of Female Students In Collegiate Flight Programs, Stefanie Horton M.S., Mallory K. Casebolt Ed.D.

Journal of Aviation/Aerospace Education & Research

The purpose of this research was to examine the effect of self-efficacy of male and female students in collegiate flight programs to identify if a relationship exists between self-efficacy responses and gender representation in aviation. Self-efficacy, an element of social cognitive career theory’s (SCCT) behavioral factors, deals with an individual’s belief in his/her capacity to address a certain set of circumstances. No studies have been found addressing self-efficacy of students enrolled in collegiate aviation programs, specifically addressing differences between male and female students. The population for this study consisted of students enrolled in four-year collegiate aviation programs, as found through …

Interactive Modules For Flight Training: A Review, Stephanie G. Fussell Ph.D., Robert Thomas Ph.D.

Journal of Aviation/Aerospace Education & Research

The use of animation and video, combined with auditory and text components, to teach complex subjects can be beneficial to deepen understanding. A review of the literature was conducted to better understand how interactive learning modules can give flight students tools to enhance the learning process outside of traditional instruction. Instructional theories and educational environments were considered through the lens of designing course content for flight students. Several research questions were asked to guide the course of the research, all focused on how students learn a complex subject matter using interactive material. Guidelines and principles are discussed to ensure the …

Implementing Artificial Intelligence And Machine Learning Into Advanced Qualification Programs, Jennifer R. Herr

Journal of Aviation/Aerospace Education & Research

Since its start, the Advanced Qualification Program (AQP) has encouraged new and innovative strategies for training airline crewmembers. The foundation of AQP is to train crew the way they fly and to find new and innovative ways to increase safety through training. By using data collected through the AQP process, training methods can be refined and improved. New technologies, such as artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning can make data analysis and training more effective and efficient. This paper will explore these concepts and how AI and machine learning could be implemented in the AQP process to make training more …

Can Backward-Chained, Ab-Initio Pilot Training Decrease Time To First Solo?, Samuel M. Vance Ph.D., Kat Gardner-Vandy Ph.D., Jared Alan Freihoefer

Journal of Aviation/Aerospace Education & Research

Flight simulation has made progressively significant inroads into pilot training at all levels of a pilot’s career – typically starting with training for the Instrument rating in light aircraft and concluding with Type Certification in transport category jetliners. This research was designed to explore if significant training inroads could also be offered to ab-initio pilots, those with no prior flight experience. An experimental group of four pilot trainees, without prior flight experience, were exposed to flight in a backwards-chained simulation starting from 4’ AGL (Above Ground Level). Graduated, exponential increments of both altitude and distance from landing were successively added …

Emergency Preparedness And Response Education In Aviation Management Programs In The United States, Heather L. Servaty-Seib, Andrew Brown

Journal of Aviation/Aerospace Education & Research

Aviation disasters are decreasing in number but remain impactful and require competent management. Aviation Management program department heads (N = 26) in the United States were surveyed regarding the extent of curricular inclusion of emergency preparedness and response in aviation management programs. The findings indicated that few aviation management programs offer elective or required courses solely focused on emergency preparedness and response (EPR) whereas just over one third of programs offer an elective or required course within which EPR is a planned topic. Department heads recognized the importance of additional coverage because a) students need the practical information and b) …

Design Science Research – Alternative Pathway For Aviation Training-Related Studies, Guilherme A. Da Silveira, Éder Henriqson

Journal of Aviation/Aerospace Education & Research

Relevance is a permanent requirement of academic research, which means it is worth discussing methods and paradigms that provide the most useful outcomes to the most relevant problems, while maintaining rigor and criteria at a high level. The class of problems associated with aviation [pilot] training-related studies demands pragmatic solutions that are not always conspicuous from traditional qualitative or quantitative methods akin to the natural sciences. Hence, an interface between the natural and the artificial is required. The purpose of this theoretical essay is to review design science research (DSR) methodology, considering its applicability to aviation [pilot] training problems, thus, …

Learning Theory And Differentiation In Flight Instruction: Perceptions From Certified Flight Instructors, Bernard W. Wulle, Denise K. Whitford, Julius C. Keller

Journal of Aviation/Aerospace Education & Research

The pilot shortage has reached critical levels. One strategy to minimize the loss of potentially skilled pilots is to focus attention on providing flight instructors with the background knowledge to understand student learning and support student pilots as they progress through flight training programs. Within flight instruction, little or no attention has been focused on the concept of Multiple Intelligences (MI) Theory and its impact on student learning and retention. Consequently, the purpose of this study was to determine if Certified Flight Instructors (CFI) who have been provided with information about MI Theory perceived a positive relationship between their new …

A Proposed Taxonomy For General Aviation Pilot Weather Education And Training, John M. Lanicci, Thomas A. Guinn, Jayde M. King, Beth Blickensderfer, Robert Thomas, Yolanda Ortiz

Journal of Aviation/Aerospace Education & Research

As General Aviation (GA) safety continues to remain a focus of the aviation community, GA pilot weather education and training continues to be an active area of interest within the research community. This study introduces a taxonomy for organizing GA pilot weather education and training materials that was originally conceived as part of the FAA’s Weather Technology In the Cockpit research program. The taxonomy is built upon three main knowledge categories, or tiers:1) Weather Phenomena (which includes hazards); 2) Weather Hazard Products; and 3) Weather Hazard Product Sources and their Application. The concept behind the categorization is to link knowledge …

Aviation Education Impacts On Cockpit Culture Of Chinese Student Pilots, Xiaoyu Wu, Yujia Liu, Terrence Kelly

Journal of Aviation/Aerospace Education & Research

The safety of the aviation industry heavily depends on the performance of pilots. A pilot with a good cockpit culture improves safety performance. However, a lack of understanding of how a well-established aviation program impacts student pilots’ cockpit culture regarding power distance, masculinity, individualism, and uncertainty avoidance. This study aimed to investigate the training effect on Chinese student perceptions regarding power distance, masculinity, individualism, and uncertainty avoidance, and its related variables. The study collected 726 Chinese student pilots and analyzed their cockpit culture based on the survey data. The study examined the academic tenure influences on cockpit culture variables within …

Collegiate Aviation Students Perceptions Of Female Representation In Collegiate Aviation And The U.S. Aviation Industry, Mallory K. Casebolt, Jam Khojasteh

Journal of Aviation/Aerospace Education & Research

While most industries have made noticeable increases of female professionals represented in the workplace, the U.S. aviation industry is still behind. According to Women in Aviation International (WAI), a nonprofit organization dedicated to the encouragement and advancement of women in all aviation career fields and interests, women make up less than 30% of non-pilot aviation careers and 7% of pilots are women (Women in Aviation International, 2019). This study sought the perceptions of collegiate aviation students concerning female representation in the aviation industry. Furthermore, this study sought to identify if female students encounter any difficulties based on gender at the …

Implementing Active Learning Techniques In An Undergraduate Aviation Meteorology Course, Daniel J. Halperin, Robert W. Eicher, Thomas A. Guinn, Joseph R. Keebler, Kim O. Chambers

Journal of Aviation/Aerospace Education & Research

A course in Aviation Weather is an integral component of multiple degree programs at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. Consequently, the course sustains large enrollments with several faculty teaching it. Efforts to promote a consistent experience for students resulted in primarily PowerPoint-based lectures. This paper describes a set of changes made to the course with the goal of improving students’ engagement, understanding, and retention of the course material that are consistent with effective teaching strategies based on prior research. Specifically, daily quizzes, Poll Everywhere questions, in-class activities, flipped classroom sessions, and assertion-evidence based lectures were introduced. These changes initially were implemented in …

What Type Of Collegiate Pilot Is Likely To Experience Imposter Phenomenon?, Rian Mehta, Stephen Rice, Tianhua Li, Sadie Cooke, Ryan Lange, Morgan Black, Cynthia Smith, Mattie Milner, Scott R. Winter, Nadine Ragbir, Austin Vaughn

Journal of Aviation/Aerospace Education & Research

Background: Imposter Syndrome (IS), also called Imposter Phenomenon (IP), has been studied in a variety of paradigms over the past few decades. However, IP is not a well-researched concept in the field of aviation, and no studies that we know of have examined this phenomenon with student pilots.

Method: Two hundred and forty-one student pilots were interviewed from two southeastern universities with flight schools. Participants were asked a series of questions about demographics, flight training, personality measures, self-efficacy, self-handicapping, and perceived organizational support. In addition, they responded to the Clance IP scale.

Results: A regression equation was …

Meeting Real World Demands Of The Global Economy: An Employer's Perspective, Doreen Mcgunagle, Laura Zizka

Journal of Aviation/Aerospace Education & Research

Educational programs prepare students theoretically for the workplace, but many programs are still lacking in the real-world skills that the workplace requires. This is especially evident in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) education where today’s graduates hold a fundamental role in advancing science, medicine, sustainability, national security, and the economy, yet the programs to prepare them are falling short of employer expectations. At present, there is a lack of information on the necessary skills for workplace success that is specific to Airline, Aerospace, Defense (A&D) and related Industries’ STEM graduates. This paper attempts to fill this gap by offering …

Adaptive Learning Pedagogy Of Universal Design For Learning (Udl) For Multimodal Training, Ziho Kang, Mattlyn R. Dragoo, Lauren Yeagle, Randa L. Shehab, Han Yuan, Lei Ding, Stephen G. West

Journal of Aviation/Aerospace Education & Research

Traditionally, students or trainees usually receive training through a unidirectional instructional approach that can lack interactive activities or through a single material source in classrooms. Therefore, it is possible that some trainees might encounter a sink-or-swim situation if they are not able to understand the materials presented during classroom lectures nor execute correct procedures during laboratory sessions with time-intensive training. To address this issue, the Universal Design for Learning (UDL) asserts that trainees can increase their performance if instructors can provide the trainees with diversified means of information representation, expression opportunities, and engagement means. However, we lack the framework on …

Space Operations In The Suborbital Space Flight Simulator And Mission Control Center: Lessons Learned With Xcor Lynx, Pedro Llanos, Christopher Nguyen, David Williams, Kim O. Chambers Ph.D., Erik Seedhouse, Robert Davidson

Journal of Aviation/Aerospace Education & Research

This study was conducted to better understand the performance of the XCOR Lynx vehicle. Because the Lynx development was halted, the best knowledge of vehicle dynamics can only be found through simulator flights. X-Plane 10 was chosen for its robust applications and accurate portrayal of dynamics on a vehicle in flight. The Suborbital Space Flight Simulator (SSFS) and Mission Control Center (MCC) were brought to the Applied Aviation Sciences department in fall 2015 at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Daytona Beach campus. This academic and research tool is a department asset capable of providing multiple fields of data about suborbital simulated flights. …

Scenario Development For Unmanned Aircraft System Simulation-Based Immersive Experiential Learning, Nickolas D. Macchiarella, Alexander J. Mirot

Journal of Aviation/Aerospace Education & Research

Application of scenario-based training can serve as practical means of educating remote pilots and sensor operators as they seek professional levels of knowledge. Both education and training can build upon time-tested training and simulation methodologies that apply simulators in settings that mirror real-world operations. Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University’s unmanned aircraft system (UAS) program curriculum is rooted in immersive simulation that offers students an experiential learning experience that is aimed to develop higher-order thinking skills. Skills that are critical to professional levels of performance. The degree program builds from basic application skills to critical thinking skills by using immersive scenario-based training in …

Exploration Of A Confidence-Based Assessment Tool Within An Aviation Training Program, Paul F. Novacek Ph.D.

Journal of Aviation/Aerospace Education & Research

Traditional use of multiple-choice questions reward a student for guessing. This technique encourages rote memorization of questions to pass a lengthy exam, and does not promote comprehensive understanding or subject correlation. In an effort to identify guessing on answers during an exam within a safety-critical aviation pilot training course, a qualitative research study was undertaken that introduced a confidence-based element to the end-of-ground-school exam. Confidence-based assessments consist of students’ self-reported level of certainty in their responses, indicating which answers they believe are correct while also indicating how confident they feel with their selections. The research goals were to clearly identify …

Using Conversation Analysis In Data-Driven Aviation Training With Large-Scale Qualitative Datasets, William A. Tuccio Ph.D., Maurice Nevile Ph.D.

Journal of Aviation/Aerospace Education & Research

This paper contributes to a growing body of work related to the Conversation Analytic Role-play Method (CARM) by studying the primary flight instruction environment to create training interventions related to radio communications and flight instruction practices. Framed in the context of conversation analysis, an approach to the detailed analysis of naturally occurring interaction, the large-scale, long-duration qualitative audio/video data collection and coding methodology is discussed, followed by trends identified in the ongoing study. The concept of CARM “trainables” are discussed with examples. The study shows that large-scale qualitative datasets may be leveraged to produce valuable data-driven training interventions.

Employing Flight Simulation In The Classroom To Improve The Understanding Of The Fundamentals Of Instruction Among Flight Instructor Applicants, Kenneth P. Byrnes Ph.D.

Journal of Aviation/Aerospace Education & Research

An examination of the gap in the knowledge and understanding of teaching methods that exists in the aviation training industry is examined in this study. Previous research highlights the deficiencies associated with the initial training of Certificated Flight Instructors (CFIs). This study focuses on the training that is required on the fundamentals of instruction, specifically the difficulty associated with training future instructors on how to identify and respond appropriately to human behavior will be addressed. For the purpose of this study a virtual learning environment was created through role play and the use of flight simulation in the classroom. Two …