Pilot Study for Cabin Crew’s Willingness to Operate on Single Pilot Operations

Abstract

Single-pilot operations are already in place within military aircraft, small modes of commercial passenger transportation, and cargo operations. NASA, aircraft manufacturers, and airlines are collaborating on projects that birth safe and efficient single-pilot operation suitable technology for commercial airliners. A stipulated number of cabin crew is required per number of passengers on commercial airliners for safety, security, and medical purposes. The purpose of this pilot study was to determine what scales are valid to assess factors that affect a cabin crew’s willingness to operate on single pilot operations. With the selection of appropriate scales, such findings could aid industry regulators, government bodies, and airlines with training programs, educational conferences, and procedural development. The pilot study surveyed members of the cabin crew population using voluntary response sampling. The cabin crew was presented with a survey that collected demographic data, affect ratings, technology acceptance model perceptions, personality traits, and willingness to operate scores. The validity of the scales was tested using Cronbach’s Alpha in SPSS, and the usability of the survey instrument was assessed. The affect scale was shown not to be valid. In a follow-up study, the aim will be to use a survey containing the six remaining valid scales and collect demographic data to determine which predictors will be significant in a regression model.