The correlation between air carrier pilot performance and age, total flight time, total airline flight time, and time in current position has not been fully documented. This study observed 62 F/Os in line operations and graded 74 knowledge, skills, and abilities performance variables, utilizing a five-point Likert scale. Knowledge items scored slightly below the referent, with no improvement over time; skills improved with both flight time and years of service; and abilities decline markedly across all independent variables. Changes to pilot training syllabi and techniques, as well as hiring practices, may be indicated. Integrating Pilot Proficiency Audit data into existing LOSA, AQP, ASAP, and FOQA programs can provide a more robust air carrier safety program.
","abstract_html":"<p>The correlation between air carrier pilot performance and age, total flight time, total airline flight time, and time in current position has not been fully documented. This study observed 62 F/Os in line operations and graded 74 knowledge, skills, and abilities performance variables, utilizing a five-point Likert scale. Knowledge items scored slightly below the referent, with no improvement over time; skills improved with both flight time and years of service; and abilities decline markedly across all independent variables. Changes to pilot training syllabi and techniques, as well as hiring practices, may be indicated. Integrating Pilot Proficiency Audit data into existing LOSA, AQP, ASAP, and FOQA programs can provide a more robust air carrier safety program.</p>","abstract_has_math":false,"creators":["Walters, James M."],"institution":null,"degree_name":"Master of Aeronautical Science","degree_level":"Thesis - Open Access","degree_discipline":"Aeronautical Science","degree_department":null,"school":null,"contributors":["Thomas R. Weitzel","Donald B. Hunt","Marvin L. Smith"],"advisors":[],"committee_chairs":[],"committee_members":[],"year":2002,"date_issued":"2002-11-01T08:00:00Z","date_published":"2002-11-01T08:00:00Z","updated_at":"2026-07-27T19:25:29Z","subjects":["pilots","proficiency","safety toolbox","Aviation","Management and Operations"],"languages":[],"rights":[],"rights_urls":[],"identifier_entries":[]},"links":{"outbound_url":"https://commons.erau.edu/db-theses/309","outbound_label":"Repository record","outbound_source":"dc:identifier"},"metadata_groups":[{"id":"people","label":"People","entries":[{"key":"dc:contributor","label":"Contributor","values":["Thomas R. Weitzel","Donald B. Hunt","Marvin L. Smith"]},{"key":"dc:creator","label":"Author","values":["Walters, James M."]}]},{"id":"academic_context","label":"Academic Context","entries":[{"key":"thesis:degree_discipline","label":"Discipline","values":["Aeronautical Science"]},{"key":"thesis:degree_level","label":"Degree Level","values":["Thesis - Open Access"]},{"key":"thesis:degree_name","label":"Degree Name","values":["Master of Aeronautical Science"]}]},{"id":"subjects_keywords","label":"Subjects and Keywords","entries":[{"key":"dc:subject","label":"Dc Subject","values":["pilots","proficiency","safety toolbox","Aviation","Management and Operations"]}]},{"id":"identifiers","label":"Identifiers","entries":[{"key":"dc:identifier","label":"Identifier","values":["https://commons.erau.edu/db-theses/309"]}]},{"id":"additional","label":"Additional Metadata","entries":[{"key":"dc:description.abstract","label":"Abstract","values":["The correlation between air carrier pilot performance and age, total flight time, total airline flight time, and time in current position has not been fully documented. This study observed 62 F/Os in line operations and graded 74 knowledge, skills, and abilities performance variables, utilizing a five-point Likert scale. Knowledge items scored slightly below the referent, with no improvement over time; skills improved with both flight time and years of service; and abilities decline markedly across all independent variables. Changes to pilot training syllabi and techniques, as well as hiring practices, may be indicated. Integrating Pilot Proficiency Audit data into existing LOSA, AQP, ASAP, and FOQA programs can provide a more robust air carrier safety program.
"]},{"key":"dc:title","label":"Title","values":["The Pilot Proficiency Audit of Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: Adding to the Air Carrier Safety Toolbox"]}]}],"canonical_facts":{"dc:contributor":["Thomas R. Weitzel","Donald B. Hunt","Marvin L. Smith"],"dc:creator":["Walters, James M."],"dc:description.abstract":["The correlation between air carrier pilot performance and age, total flight time, total airline flight time, and time in current position has not been fully documented. This study observed 62 F/Os in line operations and graded 74 knowledge, skills, and abilities performance variables, utilizing a five-point Likert scale. Knowledge items scored slightly below the referent, with no improvement over time; skills improved with both flight time and years of service; and abilities decline markedly across all independent variables. Changes to pilot training syllabi and techniques, as well as hiring practices, may be indicated. Integrating Pilot Proficiency Audit data into existing LOSA, AQP, ASAP, and FOQA programs can provide a more robust air carrier safety program.
"],"dc:identifier":["https://commons.erau.edu/db-theses/309"],"dc:subject":["pilots","proficiency","safety toolbox","Aviation","Management and Operations"],"dc:title":["The Pilot Proficiency Audit of Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: Adding to the Air Carrier Safety Toolbox"],"thesis:degree_discipline":["Aeronautical Science"],"thesis:degree_level":["Thesis - Open Access"],"thesis:degree_name":["Master of Aeronautical Science"]},"updated_at":"2026-07-27T19:25:29Z"}