Post September 11, 2001, flight training entry standards: A modified policy Delphi study
Abstract
Scope and Method of Study: The purpose of this study was to investigate the possible need to impose more stringent entry standards on flight students. A respondent panel of ten aviation experts was selected to participate in a four-round Policy Delphi study, to explore the question, "What do you judge to be adequate standards for entry into flight training, in the light of the events of September 11, 2001?" The experts selected had differing areas of expertise within the career field of aviation. Findings and Conclusions: This study concluded that the events of September 11, 2001, were a national security issue, and not an aviation training issue. The respondents found a pressing need for background checks for international students by a federally tasked agency, prior to their beginning flight training, and cited a strong need to register and track international flight students. They agreed that profiling should be accomplished prior to visa issuance. Respondents saw a need to positively identify students prior to training and that students should be held to a higher standard of English proficiency. They concluded that it was the INS' responsibility to standardize and control immigration issues, but identified a need for all citizens to develop situational awareness as a deterrent against future attacks, which they believed would use a mode other than aviation to accomplish. Respondents concluded that the regulations were adequate for their purpose of training, but were never intended to avert a terrorist attack. They believed that students should have access to ground school, only, until approved by the federal agency. They identified a need for the aviation community to unify to preserve the privilege to fly. Last, they concluded that the aviation industry had adequately secured cockpit doors, which would avert a similar attack.
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- OSU Dissertations [11222]