Exploring the Pilot Reliability Certification Program and Changing Attitudes on Reducing Pilot Errors

The greatest opportunity to improve aviation safety is to focus on reducing human errors in the cockpit. This research evaluated whether there was knowledge gain and difference in attitudes toward reducing human error in the cockpit after implementation of the Pilot Reliability Certification (PRC) program at Federal Aviation Regulation (FAR) 135 air carriers and FAR 91 corporate flight departments. The program is a human factors training curriculum focused on personal vulnerabilities to human error and countermeasures in support of aviation safety. Three levels of measurement were used: reactions to training, a knowledge test, and a modified version of the cockpit management attitudes questionnaire to assess attitude change. A mixed-method approach was used with quantitative data to measure knowledge gain and attitude change along with qualitative data to explore pilot reactions to the training. A quasi-experimental group (n = 41) that completed the 2-day course was compared with a control group (n = 62). The control group showed no significant improvement in attitude related to crew resource management skills or the PRC objectives. The quasi-experimental group had significantly improved attitudes and knowledge gain. Reaction to training was positive, with pilots citing a strengthened human factors knowledge base as the greatest benefit. They thought that the training differed from previous human factors training by being more detailed and in depth. After taking the course, pilots said that they would be more conscious of evaluating themselves, their flying partners, and their attitudes.