commercial (i.e. American, Delta, USAir) and two cargo (i.e. FedEx, UPS). Participants will be
selected at random from the entire pool of pilots from each airline.
Variables and Measures
The independent variable, a pilot's availability to fly based current FAA rules, will have a
direct impact on the dependent variable, the pilot's level of fatigue. The independent variable will
be measured using a questionnaire to provide simple and basic information that would describe
each situation and the flight being examined. The dependent variable will be measured using the
Samn-Perelli seven-point fatigue scale (SPS).
FATIGUE IN AVIATION
Data Collection Methods
A letter of explanation with the questionnaires will be mailed to 150 pilots of each of the
selected five major passenger and cargo airlines. Data will be collected directly from the chosen
pilots in the form of a self-reporting questionnaires. They will be asked to complete a
questionnaire (see appendix A) at the end of each flight for the period of one week. They will be
given to the option to complete paper surveys and return via mail at the end of
the one-week
period or complete via email on a daily basis.
Data Analysis Methods
The data will be separated into three groups based on the pilot's responses to the SPS
(group one ratings of 1 and 2, group two ratings of 3 and 4, and group three ratings of 4 and
above). The data will be then analyzed on the basis of the independent variable or their
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- Spring '14
- Federal Aviation Administration, Air safety, pilot fatigue
