Investigators:

David R. Hunter, Ph.D.
Monica Martinussen, Ph.D.
Mark Wiggins, Ph.D.
David O’Hare, Ph.D.

This Study has been CLOSED

INTRODUCTION

This is a research study. Please take your time in deciding if you would like to participate.

Read all the instructions before clicking on the Begin The Study link at the bottom of the page.

Please feel free to ask questions by sending an email to: WxStudy.Feedback@avhf.com

The purpose of this study is to identify the circumstances associated with encounters with adverse weather by general aviation pilots. The characteristics, such as experience, ratings, and attitudes, of pilots who have had encounters with adverse weather will be compared to a control group of pilots who have not experienced adverse weather events.

DESCRIPTION OF PROCEDURES

If you agree to participate in this study, your participation will last for approximately 15 to 45 minutes. During the study you may expect the following study procedures to be followed:

• You will be asked a series of questions regarding your experiences on flights during which weather was a factor.
  
• You will also be asked a series of questions regarding your aeronautical qualifications and experiences.
  
• You will then be asked to complete a short scale to assess your perception of the risks involved in flying.
  
• You will be given an opportunity to complete one optional scale that measures pilot judgment.
  
• You may skip any question that you do not wish to answer or that makes you feel uncomfortable.

RISKS

There are no foreseeable risks at this time from participating in this study.

BENEFITS

If you decide to participate in this study there will be no direct benefit to you. It is hoped that the information gained in this study will benefit society by improving our knowledge of how and when pilots become involved in adverse weather events. That knowledge can then be used to develop training or other interventions to help reduce the likelihood of those events, and improve aviation safety.

COSTS AND COMPENSATION

You will not have any costs from participating in this study. You will not be compensated for participating in this study.

PARTICIPANT RIGHTS

Your participation in this study is completely voluntary and you may refuse to participate or leave the study at any time. If you decide to not participate in the study or leave the study early, it will not result in any penalty or loss of benefits to which you are otherwise entitled.

CONFIDENTIALITY

Records identifying participants will be kept confidential to the extent permitted by applicable laws and regulations and will not be made publicly available. However, government regulatory agencies and the Institutional Review Board (a committee that reviews and approves human subject research studies) may inspect and/or copy your records for quality assurance and data analysis. These records may contain private information.

To ensure confidentiality to the extent permitted by law, the following measures will be taken:

• Each person who participates in this study will be assigned a unique code (termed the Call Sign)

• All data records will use only the Call Sign. No personally identifying information will be included.

• The link between Call Sign identifiers and the name and address (where known) of persons invited to participate will be maintained only until that person has completed the study. This is done solely to allow us to send reminders to persons who have not yet responded to our invitation.

• The file containing the link between Call Sign and name will be password protected and will be kept on a separate removable disk and will remain in a locked filing cabinet when not in use. Only Dr. Hunter will have the password and he will maintain custody of the disk.

• After a person completes the study, their name and address will be erased from the data file, so that their responses will no longer be identifiable.

• Upon completion of the data collection (approximately 90 days after the study begins) names and addresses for non-participating persons will also be deleted.

• If the results are published, your identity will remain confidential.

QUESTIONS OR PROBLEMS

You are encouraged to ask questions prior to beginning this study. To ask a question, send an email to this address: WxStudy.Feedback@avhf.com

• For further information about the study contact the scientist responsible for data collection in your country.

THE RESULTS OF THIS STUDY

To request a copy of the results of this study, please send an email to: WxStudy.Report@avhf.com

You will receive an electronic copy of the study report in Adobe PDF format by return email.

To protect the confidentiality of your answers to our questions, DO NOT include your Call Sign in the email request.

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SUBJECT CONSENT

Your selection of the link labeled “Begin the Study” indicates that you voluntarily agree to participate in this study, that the study has been explained to you, that you have been given the time to read the document and that your questions have been satisfactorily answered. You may print out a copy of this informed consent prior to your participation in the study, if you wish to retain a copy.

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PROBLEMS DURING THE STUDY

If you encounter a problem, such as a page not loading properly or some strange error message, please let us know by sending in a Problem Report.

This Study has been CLOSED (6 August 2008)