ABSTRACT
Scope and method of study: The purpose of this national research study was to examine the effects that COVID-19 had on primary flight training at the collegiate level. This study was to determine how pilot production was affected by the pandemic and its associated lockdowns and mitigation measures to help see the ripple effects it caused and construct a plan for sustained operations should another pandemic happen. Findings and conclusions: The data was collected from 10 FAA Part 141 collegiate flight schools that offered a four-year bachelors degree and operated their own fleet of aircraft were analyzed for the findings and conclusions in this study. The findings of this research have the potential to impact the program size, infrastructure, and standard operating procedures at Part 141 flight schools. Additionally, this study has the potential to help forecast the future pilot supply coming out of these schools and analyze where part of the pilot shortage may be happening. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved)
ABSTRACT
Objective: To investigate how the COVID-19 pandemic has affected the military and airline pilots' Job Satisfaction (JS), and identify important contributory factors to support the development of future mitigating strategies. Background: The aviation industry has undergone a series of devastating changes since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. Nonetheless, the implications of the pandemic on pilots' JS are unknown. Methods: Quantitative JS measurements were taken from 203 European and Middle Eastern pilots, during the pandemic (March, 2021), using the shortened Job Descriptive Index and Job In General validated scales. Follow-up semi-structured interviews (April 2021) were conducted with 16 participants to establish pre-pandemic JS levels and identify the degree of change due to COVID-19. Results: Significant JS differences (p < .001) were observed between military and airline pilots;the former having higher levels. Qualitative findings revealed that airline pilots' levels decreased due to factors such as job security, pay cuts, opportunities for promotion and skill-fade concerns. Military pilots experienced an increased JS, as state-funded organizations were not substantially affected by COVID-19, which led to a feeling of appreciation and thankfulness. Conclusion: COVID-19 has caused a major disruption to JS of military and airline pilots. Suggested mitigation measures for the civil aviation sector comprised effective communication between pilots and managers to reduce the pandemic-induced job uncertainty. Solutions such as extra flight simulator sorties were recommended to tackle the skill-fade effect. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2022 APA, all rights reserved)
ABSTRACT
During flying airline pilots cardio-vascular adaptations occur producing a steady condition of bradycardia and low values in arterial blood pressure. The ability to maintain this optimal level of cardiovascular fitness in aircraft pilots during a prolonged non-driving period is reduced proportionally to this interval. The COVID-19 pandemic has forced pilots to inactivity due to the interruption of many flights at the start of the pandemic. We tested the cardiovascular profile in seven skilled pilots, after 26 weeks of banned to flying for the pandemic lockdown, while they virtually drove an entirely self-built aircraft Airbus A320 simulator. The aim was to investigate on their possible circulatory impairments. Beat-to-beat cardiodynamic profile was non invasively and remotely assessed by a homemade impedance cardiography ICT platform, i.e. the e-Physio tool. Results showed an en route high mean arterial blood pressure (almost 104 Torr) mainly sustained by excessively high values of peripheral vascular resistance (more than 24 Torr per dm3 per minute). Properly central-cardiac hemodynamic and chronotropic modulators of the stroke volume (ventricle end diastolic volume and contractility, heart rate) did not change significantly. Since this hemodynamic picture resembles that of heart failure, it was concluded that (due to the covid-19 dependent long period of inactivity) pilots may go towards a condition of detraining that involved the loss of specific cardiovascular adaptations capable of buffering risks of arterial hypertension. © 2022, Levrotto and Bella. All rights reserved.
ABSTRACT
An Evaluation of the Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on the Training and Education of Air Force Intelligence Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) Airmen Trident University International 2021 This Doctoral Study evaluated the impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on the training of U.S. Air Force (USAF) Intelligence Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) Airmen from initial skills training through to the entire continuum of learning (CoL). The study measured the effectiveness of ISR training in response to the COVID-19 Pandemic. The measurement was conducted with a survey of senior ISR Leaders and Educators within the USAF. This qualitative study examined the USAF ISR training and education community's understanding of the student demographic, use of and availability of blended learning courseware, and inclusion and need for Critical Thinking (CT) as part of ISR training and education. COVID-19 forced a switch to a forward-looking self-paced blended learning course model. The blended learning approach incorporated critical thinking into every stage of instruction, delivered through short videos, productive exercises, Virtual Reality (VR), Project Based Learning (PBL), APPs and Gamification as part of the curriculum. The approach was done with a combination of self-directed learning, team learning, PBL, experiential learning and traditional instructor led/facilitated classroom instruction using the Socratic Method to achieve true blended learning. Commanders and Airmen Instructors stepped up to the challenge and fielded the required secure connections, laptops, and online curriculum to keep the training pipeline moving forward. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2021 APA, all rights reserved)