Airframe Parachute Knowledge and Deployment Scenarios: a Collegiate Perspective

Scott R. Winter, Robert C. Geske, Stephen Rice, Richard O. Fanjoy, Lauren Sperlak

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

As airframe parachutes in general aviation aircraft become more popular, training is essential in fostering a willingness to use the system in the appropriate situation. Aviation decision-making literature suggests that individuals make choices based on experience and pattern matching, such as emergency situations and airframe parachute deployment scenarios. This led the researchers to investigate the knowledge and perspectives of collegiate pilots who train in aircraft equipped with airframe parachutes. Participants completed a surveyfocused on airframe parachute knowledge and scenario-based examples. Training experts were used to validate the parachute deployment scenarios used in the instrument. Responses indicate that pilots find aircraft with a parachute safer than those without, but several participants reported inconsistencies with training for the use of the parachute. Findings suggest that when new safety technology is implemented into aircraft, training is necessary to ensure the technology is understood and implemented to its fullest effect and level of safety.

Original languageAmerican English
Journal18th International Symposium on Aviation Psychology
StatePublished - Jan 1 2015

Disciplines

  • Medicine and Health Sciences
  • Other Psychiatry and Psychology
  • Psychiatry and Psychology

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