Risk perceptions of instructor and candidate pilots regarding helicopter operations

Abstract

This thesis investigates risk perceptions of instructor and candidate pilots. Incidents and flight scenarios concerning helicopter operations were given to participants to explore differences in risk perceptions. In contrast to the majority of earlier studies, the present study concludes that experts and nonexperts do not vary much in their evaluation of the riskiness. In addition, experienced pilots are more prone to take risks voluntarily than inexperienced pilots. Findings are discussed and limitations of current study are provided.