Flight instructors’ perceptions of pilot behaviour related to gender

Leopold P Vermeulen

doi:10.4102/sajip.v35i1.819

Abstract

This study investigated flight instructors’ perceptions with regard to gender-related pilot behaviour. The subjects fell into two sample groups. The first sample consisted of 93 flight instructors and the second sample was a control group of 93 commercial pilots. The Aviation Gender Attitude Questionnaire (AGAQ) was administered to measure the perceptions that both groups held about female pilots’ flying proficiency and safety orientation. Statistical analysis revealed that flight instructors and commercial pilots differed significantly in their perceptions of female pilots’ flying proficiency but that the two groups did not differ in their perceptions of female pilots’ safety orientation.

Highlights

In the last decade, new South African government and labour policies that encourage more women to become aviators have evolved
Davey and Davidson (2000) pointed out that the first women to join airlines in Europe experienced problems in respect of sexism, harassment, high visibility and isolation. These authors stated that many female pilots working for European commercial-aviation companies reported that gender-related obstacles caused them to experience difficulties and distress
Before the main statistical analysis was undertaken, it was necessary to determine whether the characteristics of the two samples matched each other and to verify that both groups were comparable

Summary

Introduction

New South African government and labour policies that encourage more women to become aviators have evolved. Davey and Davidson (2000) pointed out that the first women to join airlines in Europe experienced problems in respect of sexism, harassment, high visibility and isolation These authors stated that many female pilots working for European commercial-aviation companies reported that gender-related obstacles caused them to experience difficulties and distress. These women encountered strong prejudices and preconceptions concerning their abilities and women’s suitability for a career as professional pilots. One female captain with a large European airline expressed concern that male captains expected less of female copilots and were more reluctant to give them necessary corrective feedback She believed that the flying standards of female pilots were being eroded This has important implications for flight performance and aviation safety

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Conclusion