Women remain significantly underrepresented in U.S. pilot careers despite decades of diversity initiatives and industry workforce shortages. This study examined women's participation across pilot certification levels from 2015 to 2024, identified barriers to advancement, and analyzed workplace climate factors influencing career trajectories. A convergent parallel mixed-methods design integrated quantitative trend analysis of FAA Civil Airmen Statistics with a systematic literature review of 31 scholarly sources and secondary analysis of workplace climate survey data. Statistical significance of participation trends was assessed using weighted least squares regression and binomial generalized linear models. Women's representation increased significantly across all certification categories: student pilots (+4.1 percentage points, 11.9% to 16.0%), commercial pilots (+3.6 points, 6.5% to 10.1%), private pilots (+2.3 points, 6.6% to 8.9%), and ATP certificates (+1.2 points, 4.2% to 5.5%). Annual growth rates varied significantly, with student pilots showing the steepest increase (+0.46 points/year) and ATP the smallest (+0.13 points/year). Literature analysis identified five primary barriers: recruitment pipeline limitations, financial constraints, masculine organizational culture, mentorship deficits, and work-life integration challenges. Workplace climate analysis revealed that 62% of women experienced harassment and 51% faced retaliation when reporting. While statistically significant progress occurred across all certification levels, the persistent "leaky pipeline" pattern and high harassment rates indicate that current intervention approaches remain insufficient for addressing senior-level advancement barriers. Achieving gender parity would require over 340 years under current ATP advancement trends, highlighting the need for comprehensive cultural change initiatives alongside recruitment efforts.
VoiceThread is an online multimedia and multimodal platform used by education institutions across the world. The researchers in this paper implemented VoiceThread in Aviation Education to create a sense of community and decrease feelings of student isolation when taking online courses. Participants surveyed were undergraduate students majoring in a variety of degree programs in Aviation Education. All participants were enrolled in an asynchronous online Ethics & Professional Responsibility course. Enrolled students participated in VoiceThread assignments, creating original slides, recording themselves discussing the topic in an audio and visual format, and responding to their peers with video and audio comments. The researchers analyzed quantitative Likert scale items, and qualitative open-ended questions. Participants reported feeling engaged and described the course as interactive when asked to describe their course environment. Additionally, they report feeling less isolated because of VoiceThread increasing their sense of community in the course. Finally, students were asked what challenges exist for building an online community in Aviation Education, and how instructors can further support the community in their online courses. The results indicated that students were aware of the difficulty of creating community in online courses, either due to schedule restraints, motivation and/or availability of peers, and course design limitations. Students identified VoiceThread as a good EdTech tool that helped foster community in their course and appreciated the opportunity to interact with their peers. Many students recommended that educators create an online learning environment that leaves space for community building, either in relation to the content, group work and required course activities or via informal interactions to create “outside-of-class” opportunities for students to spontaneously create their own community. Overall, the researchers were encouraged by the student responses and reiterate the need to create a sense of community in online Aviation Education courses.
A collegiate aviation flight program experienced a series of engine-related issues, leading to the grounding of the entire single-engine fleet. Students’ perceptions of safety culture were analyzed using data from the program’s annual safety culture perception surveys. Data from before and after the safety event showed that five survey items on the safety culture perception survey indicated a positive statistically significant change, while one item showed a negative statistically significant change. Perceptions of lowerclassmen and upperclassmen were also analyzed to determine if there was any variance between the two groups. Results indicated that only one survey item was statistically significant.
Mental health concerns among collegiate aviation students have become increasingly significant as the demands of flight training and academic performance intersect with regulatory pressures unique to the aviation industry. This study examined levels of anxiety, depression, and self-stigma related to help-seeking among students enrolled in aviation-related programs across five U.S. institutions. Using a non-experimental, quantitative survey design, data were collected from 231 participants using the Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7), Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9), and custom items assessing stigma and attitudes toward seeking mental health support. Results revealed that 43.7% of respondents met criteria for at least mild anxiety and 39.8% for at least mild depressive symptoms. Notably, over half of respondents expressed reluctance to seek counseling due to concerns about Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) medical certification implications. Findings highlight the prevalence of mental health challenges among aviation students and underscore the need for institutional interventions to reduce stigma and align support services with aviation-specific career considerations.
This study investigated the prevalence, causes, and consequences of fatigue among aviation students in Europe. It examined their self-awareness of fatigue, lifestyle habits, time management practices, and the role of mindfulness in mitigating fatigue-related impairment. A total of 188 participants completed an online survey comprising the Collegiate Aviation Fatigue Inventory (CAFI-II), the Cognitive and Affective Mindfulness Scale–Revised (CAMS-R), and the Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS). Quantitative analyses included descriptive statistics, correlation analysis, and multiple regression. Participants reported moderate levels of fatigue and limited awareness of its impact on performance. Common causes included insufficient sleep, high workload, and psychological stress. Fewer than half of the students received formal fatigue training. A statistically significant negative relationship was found between mindfulness, particularly the acceptance subscale and daytime sleepiness. Fatigue also showed a positive correlation with performance-related impairments and variability in alertness. The findings suggest that fatigue remains an underrecognized yet critical safety issue among aviation students. Training programs should incorporate fatigue management and mindfulness education to improve awareness, build resilience, and support safe flight performance.
The Caribbean's air transport system is facing significant challenges, including operational fragmentation, excessive costs, and inadequate inter-island connectivity. These challenges limit its ability to support the region’s heavily tourism-dependent economies. This research evaluates whether consolidating small Caribbean airlines into a single or virtual Pan-Caribbean carrier could transform regional air travel. Based on financial analysis, historical traffic data, and case comparisons with airline mergers in South America and the US, the paper simulates the anticipated efficiencies resulting from route consolidation, fleet standardization, and common operational services. The research concludes that consolidation may create a regional GDP impact of up to $3.3 billion and generate over 200,000 new jobs. Research highlights regulatory harmonization, stakeholder coordination, and governance reforms as essential conditions for success. Despite transparency challenges, a unified Caribbean airline offers a compelling path to regional economic integration, improved connectivity, and long-term sustainability in aviation.
Modern commercial aviation increasingly relies on advanced automation, which helps to reduce pilot workload and improves overall flight safety. However, the growing reliance on automation has reduced pilots’ opportunities for manual flying practice, leading to a degradation of those skills. This article analyzes recent data on Loss of Control In-flight (LOC-I) cases and human factors, highlighting that insufficient manual flying experience has been a contributing factor in several incidents and accidents. An original methodology is proposed to maintain and improve airline pilots’ manual flying skills through balanced automation use, regular manual flying exercises in training sessions, and during line operations under safe conditions. The Results section provides a detailed structure of the training program including Upset Prevention and Recovery Training (UPRT), exercise examples, and mathematical models of skill degradation. The Discussion compares the proposed approach with leading aviation organizations (ICAO, FAA, EASA, IATA, Airbus, Boeing), highlighting implementation strategies and potential outcomes. The findings confirm the need to revise simulator and line training programs for pilots with a greater focus on manual flying skills, which will help prevent further competency erosion and reduce LOC-I accident risk.
Mental health challenges remain a pressing concern in aviation, affecting both professional pilots and collegiate aviation students. Contributing factors include irregular schedules, extended time away from family, academic and operational pressures, and high-performance expectations. Part 141 collegiate flight students face these stressors early in their careers, compounded by the need to maintain Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) medical certification. Stigma and fear of career repercussions discourage many from seeking care, creating hidden safety risks. This ongoing study explores the development of a Mental Wellness Curriculum (MWC) tailored to collegiate flight students, with the goal of embedding proactive wellness education into training. Using a mixed-methods approach, the study draws from existing literature, stakeholder collaboration, and evidence-based practices to design curriculum modules focusing on stress management, resilience-building, stigma reduction, and healthy lifestyle practices. Importantly, the curriculum incorporates Safety Management System principles, positioning mental wellness as a core component of operational safety. Preliminary findings highlight the urgent need for structured mental wellness education to build resilience among future aviators and strengthen the safety culture of the aviation industry.
This study investigates the impact of pedagogical innovation on student engagement and enrollment within the Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) program at Metropolitan State University of Denver. Initial research revealed a consistent pattern of high enrollment in the introductory UAS course, contrasted by low participation in intermediate and advanced courses. Through a combination of qualitative and quantitative methods, including surveys, interviews, and historical data analysis, the study identified a lack of engaging instructional methods as a key barrier to student progression. In response, the introductory course was redesigned using a flipped classroom model, integrated FAA Part 107 certification preparation, hands-on drone activities such as Drone Soccer and FPV simulators, and promoted real-world flight missions in upper-level courses. Post-implementation data showed a dramatic increase in student engagement and a significant rise in enrollment across all course levels. These findings underscore the importance of dynamic, student-centered teaching strategies and suggest that thoughtful curriculum design can directly influence program success and student retention.
This study investigates how AI-integrated online learning platforms influence student engagement and learning experiences in a large enrollment, foundational course within a professional education program. Drawing on survey responses from 109 undergraduate students enrolled in an introductory aviation course, we assess student perceptions of an AI-supported classroom platform and examine whether these perceptions differ between students on flight and non-flight academic pathways. Most students reported positive experiences, particularly valuing features such as live polls and real-time feedback that supported interaction and knowledge reinforcement. Although no statistically significant differences were found between pilot and non-pilot students, pilot students expressed a stronger preference for collaborative and communicative functions. Open-ended feedback also identified areas for platform improvement, including enhanced integration with learning management systems and expanded AI functionalities. The findings offer practical implications for educators seeking to adopt AI-enhanced tools to support active learning and provide insights into how such technologies can be effectively implemented in structured, high-enrolment courses across disciplines.
The IEEE Drone Chase Challenge was held in 2022 and 2023 to foster development in Unmanned Aerial Systems and to provide a venue for collegiate students developing integrated UAS solutions in which to compete. The challenge is comprised of two stages: an online simulator-based stage and a physical in-person final. The development of each competitor’s unique solutions and difficulties faced by each finalist team are described herein. Improvements for other future competitions are suggested based on the experiences of the competitors and hosts from the 2023 IEEE Drone Chase Challenge. First, software integration and documentation must be complete and easy to follow for competitors, allowing them to focus on solution development, rather than troubleshooting errors. Second, scoring metrics must be designed to test for robustness to mitigate the effect of luck and other external conditions on the evaluation of a solution. Despite the current limitations realized during the competition, competitors, hosts, and the research community benefit from developing soft and technical skills through competition participation.
Wildlife strikes remain a persistent hazard to aviation safety, with engine ingestions representing a particularly serious threat to aircraft performance and operational integrity. This study analyzes 13,467 wildlife strikes involving aircraft engines reported in the FAA National Wildlife Strike Database (2009-2023) to identify patterns and operational factors influencing the frequency and severity of engine strikes in multi-engine civil jet aircraft. Building upon Dolbeer’s (2017) findings, preliminary results indicate a modest left-side predominance, with 4,112 strikes (52.9%) recorded on left-side engines and 3,659 strikes (47.1%) on right-side engines. A total of 2,266 strikes (16.8%) resulted in engine damage, most frequently during the takeoff, climb, and approach phases of flight. Nearly 47% of all engine strikes occurred below 1,000 feet AGL, underscoring the near-ground nature of these events. Although small-bodied species accounted for most engine strikes (N = 8,757; 64.1%), large-bodied species, representing only 7.1% of events, produced the highest proportion of damaging engine strikes (61.6%). These results demonstrate a clear relationship between animal size, impact energy, and engine vulnerability. Collectively, the findings confirm that engine strikes remain predominantly a low-altitude, airport-environment hazard, reinforcing the need for species-specific mitigation strategies, enhanced habitat management, and data-driven Safety Management System initiatives to improve wildlife-hazard risk assessment and operational resilience across the aviation industry.
The usage of unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) for recreational and commercial purposes has been rapidly growing in the United States (U.S.). As of December 2023, over 1.54 million new recreational drones have been registered in the Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) database. With the increase in the usage of UAS, violations related to flying UAS into unauthorized airspace are also accumulating. According to the Code of Federal Regulations, 14 CFR§107.51, “the altitude of a small, unmanned aircraft system cannot be higher than 400 feet above ground level.” Human factors, such as difficulty in visual scanning, lack of multiple sensory cues, loss of communication, and spatial disorientation, play a significant role in altitude compliance problems with respect to UAS operations. Historically, various studies have examined the trends of UAS operations in unauthorized airspace. However, there is a dearth of research focused on examining the trends in altitude compliance issues related to UAS operations and their association with human factors constructs. Therefore, the purpose of the current study was to investigate the trends in UAS sightings over 400 feet in the U.S. and the associated human factors issues. All UAS sightings reported between January 2021 and December 2024 were obtained from the FAA’s UAS sightings database. All the data were explored through Tableau and JMP. Results of the analysis, and the role of human factors issues, such as visual workload, multimodal cues, and situational awareness in UAS operations, are discussed.
As the aviation industry faces intensifying environmental, regulatory, and societal pressures, airports are increasingly expected to implement sustainability initiatives aligned with national and international frameworks such as NEPA, VALE, and CORSIA. However, progress across U.S. airports remains uneven, often constrained not only by technical or financial limitations but also by the quality of stakeholder engagement. This study applies Stakeholder Theory and the Stakeholder Salience Model to examine how stakeholder power, legitimacy, and urgency influence sustainability implementation in diverse airport contexts. Using a qualitative multiple-case study design, the research investigates the roles of federal regulators, airport operators, airlines, and local communities in shaping environmental outcomes. Preliminary findings suggest that stakeholder alignment is a critical determinant of success, with implications for policy design, infrastructure planning, and participatory governance. The study contributes a stakeholder-centered framework to better understand and improve sustainability performance in the U.S. airport sector.
Attrition in collegiate aviation training remains high, with only about 20 percent of students completing flight programs (Beckett, 2016). This study investigates how flight instructor leadership behaviors influence student persistence in aviation education. Grounded in Tinto’s (1975) Model of Institutional Departure and Attribution Theory (Heider, 1958; Kelley & Michela, 1980), the research examines how Coaching Leadership Style (CLS) and Attribution of Instructor Behavior (AoIB) affect Career Decidedness (CD) and Intention to Persist (ITP). Survey data from 223 students at five University Aviation Association programs were analyzed using structural equation modeling (SEM). CLS significantly predicted CD, which in turn predicted ITP, while AoIB directly predicted ITP. Post hoc analyses revealed that CLS statistically suppressed AoIB, indicating that students often interpret coaching behaviors as altruistic. These findings highlight the importance of instructor leadership training and introduce the SEGAS framework—Set expectations, Encourage perspectives, Give feedback, Ask for feedback, and Supply resources—as a practical tool to strengthen student persistence in flight education.
Prior research suggests that flight training providers experience delays scheduling check rides when using Designated Pilot Examiners. One potential solution to alleviate these delays is for Part 141 pilot schools to obtain examining authority. According to Rosser and Mosey (2024) many Part 141 flight schools experience challenges in attaining examining authority. This project specifically addresses recent changes to Document 8900.1 which is guidance used by Flight Standards District Offices in the examining authority application process. Part 141 Chief Flight Instructors were surveyed to provide their perceptions of the new guidance and any effect the guidance has on their intent to pursue examining authority for their pilot school. If a pilot school had already applied for examining authority, they were asked to share their experiences during the application process.
A southeastern land-grant university decided to impose an enrollment cap on its Part 141 collegiate flight program due to increased enrollment pressures and limited availability of training resources. This article presents a case study of the planning and implementation of an integrated two-stage admission program that focused on selecting students based on academic rigor, preparedness, and aviation readiness. A diverse selection committee of both military and civilian flight training experts reviewed 493 applicants using a rubric-based examination of aviation experience and essay responses, while excluding standardized test scores and high school grade point averages (GPAs). In the process, student motivation, ability to perform well on the FAA written exam, and any prior aviation experience were highlighted while avoiding placing a competitive disadvantage on non-pilot applicants. The quality of the essays and the degree to which the candidate demonstrated dedication to aviation made more difference in a person's selection than licensure alone. The study concludes with recommendations for incorporating personality and grit assessments in future iterations to enhance predictive validity and reduce reviewer workload.
Military veterans bring leadership, discipline, and experience to collegiate aviation. Yet, their transition from military service to academic and professional flight careers often presents distinct challenges, even when compared to other non-traditional students. This article presents three effective strategies for supporting and enabling student veteran success in aviation programs. The first example highlights the Charlie and Hazel Daniels Veterans and Military Family Center. This on-campus, public-private partnership provides mentorship, community reintegration, and transition services for veterans and their families. The next initiative, Vets2Wings, is an FAA-funded initiative that offers targeted funding to assist current student veterans in achieving their professional pilot career goals. Finally, the last section addresses the unique challenges and complications that veterans may face when seeking FAA medical certification, along with recommendations on methods to ease the process. Collectively, these examples highlight strategies that can strengthen institutional support systems and promote smoother transitions for student veterans from military service to successful aviation professionals.
Daylight Saving Time (DST) involves biannual clock shifts, impacting various sectors, including transportation. While prior research has linked DST transitions to increased workplace injuries and automobile accidents, its effects on aviation safety remain unexplored. This study examines the relationship between DST transitions and aviation accident rates in the continental United States from 1978 to 2024 using data from the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). A statistical analysis was conducted to identify variations in accident frequencies surrounding DST transitions. Results indicate no significant increase in aviation accidents following DST changes, contrasting with findings in other industries. This study highlights DST’s impact on aviation safety, by providing insights into its negligible impact on aviation safety. Future research should explore pilot fatigue and operational disruptions associated with DST through qualitative assessments of flight crew experiences.
This study evaluated the efficiency and effectiveness of traditional flight training methods compared to virtual reality (VR)-integrated instruction at a large FAA Part 141 university flight program. Through the integration of the Pre-Flight Immersion Laboratory for Operations Training (PILOT) Program, which used VR technologies to simulate real-world flight conditions, this research examined whether VR-integrated flight training resulted in differences in total flight hours required to complete a flight rating and checkride pass rate outcomes. Using a quasi-experimental design, internal flight program student learning achievement/progression data were analyzed to compare checkride pass outcomes between students trained via traditional methods and those utilizing the VR-integrated curriculum. Results suggest that VR-integrated flight training contributed to reduced total flight hours required to complete a flight rating while maintaining comparable checkride pass rates. VR-integrated flight instruction may help provide a more efficient approach to training new pilots. These findings have practical implications for curriculum design and training efficiency in collegiate flight training programs.
