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Embry Riddle Aeronautical University

An Analytical Study of the Effects of Age and Experience on Flight Safety

Abstract

dc:description.abstract

<p>The purpose of this study was to determine whether there are any significant decreases in the safety and effectiveness of pilots by age 60. The data for this study came from records of general aviation accidents (i.e., for private pilots, commercial pilots, and air transport pilots), and airline accidents (Part 121). These accident data were acquired from many specialized aviation data banks; these include: NTSB, AOPA, FAA, and the COMSIS Research Corporation. The data were organized into groups according to the ages of the pilots-in-command responsible for the accidents. Groupings progress in five-year increments starting at 20-24, and ending with 55-59. The data were analyzed in terms of both accidents per 1,000 pilots and accidents per 100,000 annual hours flown. The results indicate that age and experience both affect safety. The magnitude of these effects and their implications on flight safety are discussed.</p>

Degree

thesis:*
Name thesis:degree_name
Master of Aeronautical Science
Level thesis:degree_level
Thesis - Open Access
Discipline thesis:degree_discipline
Graduate Studies
Year
1991

Author and committee

dc:creator, dc:contributor.*
Author dc:creator
  • Guide, Patrick C.
Contributors dc:contributor
  • Richard S. Gibson
  • Gerald D. Gibb
  • Jefferson M. Koonce

Subjects

dc:subject × 6

Identifiers

dc:identifier.*
Repository record dc:identifier
https://commons.erau.edu/db-theses/75
OAI identifier oai:identifier
oai:commons.erau.edu:db-theses-1106

Chain of custody

source
Harvested from
Embry Riddle Aeronautical University
Base URL
commons.erau.edu/do/oai/
Last updated
2026-07-27
Source record
OAI-PMH GetRecord
citation

Guide, Patrick C.. An Analytical Study of the Effects of Age and Experience on Flight Safety. Thesis - Open Access thesis, 1991. https://commons.erau.edu/db-theses/75