Significance of Incorporating Weather Technology Training for GA Pilots to Curb Fatalities

Abstract

Weather is considered to be the main threat to aviation safety from the early 1900s. Despite advanced technologies available at present, the weather still poses a risk to the ever-growing aviation industry. This research gives an overview of weather-related accidents with special reference to Part 91 operation in the United States from 1982 and 2017 based on the NTSB database. The analysis shows that 14 CFR Part 91 operations experienced more accidents than Part 121 operations, and weather was a cause or a contributing factor in 35 % of fatal general aviation accidents. The study also identified the main weather hazards that were associated with general aviation accidents are high-density altitude, icing, carburetor icing, turbulence, thunderstorms, wind, and precipitation. The purpose of this research is to identify which weather hazard has to be given more emphasis during pilot training so that it will help pilots to develop the proper skills required to manage emergencies during actual flight. Based on the gaps identified, this study provides several recommendations to enhance pilot training like providing education and training of weather technology products, using advanced technology like Simulation/ Virtual reality-based training with different weather hazards, and changing the examination requirements for pilot certifications.