Form 0920-21AN Operator Survey

Attachment 3a. Operator Survey

Form Approved

OMB NO. 0920-xxxx

Expiration Date: xx/xx/20xx

Aviation Safety and Health Survey for Operators

Q0 INSERT CONSENT FORM HERE

• I agree to participate in this study.

• I do not agree to participate in this study.

Skip To: END of Survey IF Informed Consent = I do not agree to participate in this study.

This survey begins with a few questions about your air carrier operation.

Q1 How many pilots does your company currently employ? Please include yourself if you also work as a pilot.

• 1

• 2

• 3 or more. How many? ________________________

Display This Question:

If How many pilots does your company currently employ? = 1

Q1a Do you hold a part 135 single pilot certificate?

• Yes

• No

Skip To: Q2 IF Are you a single-pilot operator = No

Public reporting burden of this collection of information is estimated to average 25 mins per response, including the time for reviewing instructions, searching existing data sources, gathering and maintaining the data needed, and completing and reviewing the collection of information. An agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is not required to respond to a collection of information unless it displays a currently valid OMB control number. Send comments regarding this burden estimate or any other aspect of this collection of information, including suggestions for reducing this burden to CDC/ATSDR Information Collection Review Office, 1600 Clifton Road NE, MS D-74, Atlanta, Georgia 30333; ATTN: PRA (0920-xxxx).

(Start of Single-Pilot Operator Questions)

Display These Questions

If Are you a single-pilot operator? = Yes

Q2_SPO How long have you operated this company? Please enter the number of months if less than 1 year.

• Years: ________________________________________________

• Months: ________________________________________________

These first questions are about your aircraft.

Q3_SPO How many aircraft does your company operate?

• Number of aircraft:___________________________

Q4_SPO Please list total flight hours and departures for all aircraft flown by your company in YEAR (both scheduled and unscheduled). 

	YEAR
	Scheduled	Unscheduled
Total flight hours
Instrument flight hours
Total number of departures

Q5_SPO How many of your company aircraft have the following types of equipment? Please rate each type as very helpful, somewhat helpful, or not at all helpful to flight safety in Alaska.

*If you are using a mobile device, like a smart phone or tablet, please turn it sideways so you can see the full question. You may need to turn off your "screen lock" feature so the screen will turn. 

	Number of Aircraft	Helpfulness
	#	Not at all helpful	Somewhat helpful	Very helpful	I don’t know
Electronic Primary Flight Display (PFD)
Electronic Flight Bag (EFB) Installed
Terrain Awareness Warning System (TAWS)
Collision Avoidance (TCAS, TCAD, TIS)
Emergency Locator Transmitter: 121.5 MHz
Emergency Locator Transmitter: 406 MHz
Angle of Attack Display
	#	Not at all helpful	Somewhat helpful	Very helpful	I don’t know
Global Positioning System – VFR Only
Global Positioning System – IFR Approved
Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast In
Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast Out
VOR (Very high frequency Omni-directional Range)
VOR/DME (Very high frequency Omni-directional Range/ Distance Measuring Equipment)
Satellite Tracking Device (SPOT, Spidertracks, InReach)
	#	Not at all helpful	Somewhat helpful	Very helpful	I don’t know

Q6_SPO In general, what survival equipment is in your company aircraft? Please select all that apply

• Carry what is legally required

• Sleeping or camping gear (blankets, sleeping bags, tarps, tents)

• Cooking supplies (food, water, stove, etc.)

• Company survival kit

• First aid kit

• Satellite phone

• Search and rescue aids (flares, mirror, rescue laser, etc.)

• Flotation devices (personal flotation devices, life rafts, etc.)

• Other. Please specify: ________________________________________________

Q7_SPO For aircraft maintenance, does your company contract for services, directly employ mechanics, or do something else? Please select all that apply.

• Contract for services

• Directly employ aircraft mechanics

• Do something else. Please explain: _______________

Display This Question:

If For aircraft maintenance, does your company contract for services, directly employ mechanics, or do something else? = Directly employ aircraft mechanics

Q7a_SPO How many aircraft mechanics does your company currently employ directly, as employees?

• 1

• 2

• 3 or more

Display This Question:

If For maintenance, does your company contract for services, employ mechanics, or do something else? = Employ mechanics

Q7b_SPO How many aircraft mechanics does your company typically employ each season?

	1 mechanic	2 mechanics	3 or more mechanics	None
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Company Insurance

Q8_SPO In the last 18 months, have your company's insurance costs per seat changed? 

• Increased

• Decreased

• No change

Skip To: Q10_SPO IF In the last 18 months, have your company's insurance costs per seat changed? = Stayed the same

Display This Question:

If In the last 18 months, have your company's insurance costs per seat changed? = Increased

Q8a_SPO By what percent did they increase?

• % increased: ______________

Display This Question:

If In the last 18 months, have your company's insurance costs per seat changed? = Decreased

Q8b_SPO By what percent did they decrease?

• % decreased: ________________________________________________

Display This Question:

If In the last 18 months, have your company's insurance costs per seat changed? != No change

Q9_SPO Why do you believe the insurance costs changed?

________________________________________________________________

Q10_SPO In YEAR, about what percentage of your company’s revenue came from the following sources?

Passengers	_____
Cargo	_____
Mail	_____
Other. Please describe: _________________	_____
Total	_____

The questions in the table below ask for your opinion about measures that might improve aviation safety throughout Alaska (not just at your company).

Q11_SPO For each measure, please indicate how effective you think it could be in preventing aircraft crashes if it were widely applied in Alaska aviation. 

Whiteout conditions are when blowing snow, fog, or haze limit all visual references.

Flat light conditions are when an overcast limits visual cues, the features of the terrain, and make it hard to determine distance.

	Not effective	Somewhat effective	Very effective	Don't know
Pilot training in meteorology
Pilot training in aeronautical decision-making
Pilot training in whiteout conditions
Pilot training in flat light conditions
	Not effective	Somewhat effective	Very effective	Don't know
Pilot training in CFIT avoidance
Pilot training in regional hazards
Greater ability for pilots to refuse flights due to weather
Easing of time limit to move by-pass mail
	Not effective	Somewhat effective	Very effective	Don't know
Changes in Medicare patient transport requirements
Improvement in infrastructure to allow more IFR flights
Improvements in company's operational control structure

Q12_SPO If you had to choose just two of the above measures as most useful, which would they be? 

• First choice: (Dropdown list of 11 measures in Q11_SPO above)

• Second choice: (Dropdown list of 11 measures in Q11_SPO above)

Q13_SPO If there are other measures that you believe might improve aviation safety in Alaska, but which weren’t addressed in the previous question, please list them below.

________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

These next questions are about your experience as a pilot.

Q14_SPO What pilot ratings and certificates do you hold? Please select all that apply.

• Commercial

• Instrument

• Airline Transport

• Helicopter

• Flight Instructor

• Single-engine land

• Multi-engine land

• Single-engine sea

• Multi-engine sea

• Other. Please specify: ________________________________________________

Q15_SPO On your FAA pilot certificate, is your address listed in Alaska?

• Yes

• No

Q16_SPO Over your entire career, how many years have you been a pilot? Please enter the number of months if less than 1 year.

• Number of years:

• Number of months:

Q17_SPO Thinking about the number of years you have flown in Alaska, has your work ever been seasonal?

• Yes

• No

Display This Question:

If Thinking about the number of years you have flown in Alaska, has your work ever been seasonal? = Yes

Q17a_SPO How many years was your work seasonal?

• Years

Q18_SPO Thinking about the number of years you have flown in Alaska, has your work ever been year-round?

• Yes

• No

Display This Question:

If Thinking about the number of years you have flown in Alaska, has your work ever been year-round? = Yes

Q18a_SPO How many years was your work year-round?

• Years

Q19_SPO Over your entire career, including Alaska and other locations, have you ever worked for anyone other than yourself as a pilot?

• Yes

• No

Display This Question:

If Over your entire career, including Alaska and other locations, have you ever worked for anyone other than yourself as a pilot? = Yes

Q19a_SPO Over your entire career, how many different companies, other than yourself, have you worked for as a pilot?

• Number of companies: ________________________________________________

Display This Question:

If Over your entire career, including Alaska and other locations, have you ever worked for anyone other than yourself as a pilot? = Yes

AND

If Over your entire career, how many different companies, other than yourself, have you worked for as a pilot? > 1

Q19b_SPO Over how many years has that been?

• Number of years: ________________________________________________

Q20_SPO Thinking about your total flight hours, in Alaska and elsewhere, please complete the table below.

*If you are using a mobile device, like a smart phone or tablet, please turn it sideways so you can see the full question. You may need to turn off your "screen lock" feature so the screen will turn. 

	Alaska		All locations (including Alaska)
	Total Flight Career	Last 12 Months	Total Flight Career	Last 12 Months
Total paid flight hours
Instrument hours
Single-pilot operator hours

These next questions are about your current work schedule as a single-pilot operator.

Q21_SPO Some people work a rotating schedule such as 2 weeks on and 2 weeks off. Do you currently work a rotating schedule?

• Yes

• No

Display This Question:

If Some people work a rotating schedule such as 2 weeks on and 2 weeks off. Do you currently work a rotating schedule? = Yes

Q21a_SPO Do you currently work...

• 1 week on and 1 week off

• 2 weeks on and 2 weeks off

• 3 weeks on and 1 weeks off

• Other. Please specify: ________________________________________________

Q22_SPO Is your work as a single-pilot operator seasonal or year-round?

• Year-round

• Mostly year-round

• Seasonal

• Mostly seasonal

• Other. Please explain______

Q23_SPO Please estimate what percent of your paid flight hours in YEAR occurred in each season. 

Spring: _______

Summer: _______

Autumn: _______

Winter: _______

Total: ________

Q24_SPO Does your work as a single-pilot operator have a peak season?

• Yes

• No

• I don’t know

Display This Question:

If Does your work as a single-pilot operator have a peak season? = Yes

Q24a_SPO Have you worked during peak season as a single-pilot operator?

• Yes

• No

Display This Question:

If Does your work as a single-pilot operator have a peak season? = Yes AND Have you worked during peak season as a single-pilot operator?= Yes

Q25_SPO As a single-pilot operator, during the peak season, what is your typical duty time each day?
 
Please enter your typical duty time in 24-hour clock format. That is, for 7AM please enter 0700; for 1pm please enter 1300.

• From: ________________________________________________

• To: ________________________________________________

Display This Question:

If Does your work as a single-pilot operator have a peak season? = Yes AND Have you worked during peak season as a single-pilot operator?= Yes

Q26_SPO On the days you work during the peak season, how many flight hours per day do you typically log?

• Flight hours per day: ________________________________________________

Display This Question:

If Does your work as a single-pilot operator have a peak season? = Yes AND Have you worked during peak season as a single-pilot operator?= Yes

Q27_SPO During the peak season, how many days per week do you typically work?

• Duty days per week: ________________________________________________

Display This Question:

If Does your work as a single-pilot operator have a peak season? = Yes AND Have you worked during peak season as a single-pilot operator? = Yes

Q28_SPO During the peak season, do you typically work more than 40 hours per week (including non-flight time)?

• Yes

• No

Display This Question:

If During the peak season, do you typically work more than 40 hours per week (including non-flight time)? = Yes

Q28a_SPO During the peak season, about how many hours over 40 do you work per week?

• Hours over 40 per week: ______________

Display This Question:

If Does your work as a single-pilot operator have a peak season? = No -OR- I don’t know OR Have you worked during peak season as a single-pilot operator? = No

Q25z_SPO As a single-pilot operator, what is your typical duty time each day?

Please enter your typical duty time in 24-hour clock format. That is, for 7AM please enter 0700; for 1pm please enter 1300.

• From: ________________________________________________

• To: ________________________________________________

Display This Question:

If Does your work as a single-pilot operator have a peak season? = No -OR- I don’t know OR Have you worked during peak season as a single-pilot operator? = No

26z_SPO How many flight hours per day do you typically log?

• Flight hours per day: ________________________________________________

Display This Question:

If Does your work as a single-pilot operator have a peak season? = No -OR- I don’t know OR Have you worked during peak season as a single-pilot operator? = No

Q27z_SPO How many days per week do you typically work?

• Duty days per week: ________________________________________________

Display This Question:

If Does your work as a single-pilot operator have a peak season? = No -OR- I don’t know OR Have you worked during peak season as a single-pilot operator? = No

Q28z_SPO Do you generally work more than 40 hours per week (including non-flight time)?

• Yes

• No

Display This Question:

If Do you generally work more than 40 hours per week (including non-flight time)? = No

Q28az_SPO About how many hours over 40 do you work per week?

• Hours over 40 per week: _________________

These next questions are about weather and decision-making in your job.

Q29_SPO From the list of resources below, which ones do you use when making decisions to launch flights?
Please select all that apply.

• Flight Service Station - in person

• Flight Service by telephone (1-800-WXBRIEF)

• Alaska Aviation Weather Unit online – (weather.gov/aawu)

• Aviation Weather Center online (aviationweather.gov)

• Aviation applications (such as Aerovie, Foreflight, SkyVector, Garmin Pilot)

• AWOS/ASOS/ATIS

• FIS-B Weather

• Weather cameras

• PIREPs

• Other pilots who are en route or have flown in that area that day

• Station manager, company personnel, or village agent at destination

• Dispatchers, flight followers, or other company personnel

• Unofficial weather observer

• Other. Please specify: ________________________________________________

Q30_SPO While working as a single-pilot operator, have you ever declined a flight due to poor visibility or other weather-related reasons?

• Yes

• No

• Prefer not to answer

Q31_SPO How often do you fly into weather that is different from what was predicted when you started your flight? 

• Daily

• Weekly

• Monthly

• Less often than monthly

• Never

Q32_SPO How often do you have to decide whether to fly on a Visual Flight Rules (VFR) flight plan into unknown weather conditions that may deteriorate below VFR minimums? 

• Daily

• Weekly

• Monthly

• Less often than monthly

• Never

Q33_SPO If you refuse to launch a flight due to marginal weather, how likely is it that your customers will fly with a different company? 

• Not at all likely

• Somewhat likely

• Very likely

• I don’t know

Q34_SPO Do you have standard procedures to follow if you unexpectedly fly into Instrument Meteorological Conditions (IMC)? 

• Yes

• No

Q35_SPO How confident are you that you can safely fly under Visual Flight Rules (VFR) in the following conditions?

Whiteout conditions are when blowing snow, fog, or haze limit all visual references.

Flat light conditions are when an overcast limits visual cues, the features of the terrain, and make it hard to determine distance.

	Not confident	Somewhat confident	Very confident
Whiteout conditions
Low visibility conditions
Flat light conditions

These next few questions ask about training and safety.

Q36_SPO What types of survival training have you received? Please select all that apply.

• Aircraft Egress Training

• Basic Survival Training

• Fixed Wing Underwater Egress Training

• Helicopter Underwater Egress Training

• Dunker Training

• Other. Please describe: ________________________________________________

• None

Q37_SPO Have you received training on proper lifting techniques?

• Yes

• No

Q38_SPO While at work, about how often did you lift more than 50 pounds without equipment?

• Daily

• 2-3 times a week

• Once a week

• Once a month

• 2-3 times a year

• Never

• Other. Please describe

Q39_SPO Is any of the following equipment available at work to assist with moving heavy items? Please select all that apply.

• Forklift

• Pallet jack

• Mechanical lift

• Other. Please describe: ________________________________________________

• None of the above

Q40_SPO Compared to other jobs, how safe is your pilot job?

• Much safer than other jobs

• Slightly safer than other jobs

• As safe as other jobs

• Slightly more dangerous than other jobs

• Much more dangerous than other jobs

The following questions are about work-related exposure, illnesses, and injuries and measures to eliminate them at your job as a single-pilot operator.

Examples of exposures are workplace exposures to harmful substances, fumes, loud noises, and temperature extremes.

Examples of illnesses are skin diseases, respiratory disorders, and poisonings resulting from work exposures.

Examples of injuries are work-related cuts, fractures, sprains, hearing loss, and amputations.

These questions refer to a time when your body was damaged and required medical attention at the time of the event, or caused you to take time away from work, or required you to change how you did your job.

Q41_SPO Exposures in the workplace may be to harmful substances, fumes, loud noises, or temperature extremes. In the past five years, have you had any exposures as a result of your work that required medical care, first aid, time off work, or changes in how you do your job?

• Yes. Please explain:

• No

Q42_SPO Other than piloting the aircraft, which of your duties or tasks are most likely to make you ill?

________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________

Q43_SPO In the past five years, have you been made ill as a result of your work?

• Yes. Please explain:

• No

Q44_SPO Other than piloting the aircraft, which of your duties or tasks are most likely to injure you?

________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________

Q45_SPO In the past five years, have you been injured as a result of your work?

• Yes

• No

Display This Question:

If In the past five years, have you been injured as a result of your work? = Yes

Q46_SPO In the past five years, how many different times have you been injured at work?

• Once

• Twice

• Three or more times

Display This Statement:

If In the past five years, how many different times have you been injured at work? != Once

AND

If In the past five years, have you been injured as a result of your work? = Yes

Please think about your most serious injury when answering these next questions.

Display This Question:

If In the past five years, have you been injured as a result of your work? = Yes

Q47_SPO How did your injury occur?

• Lifting (picking up cargo, baggage, equipment, etc.)

• Slip (on ice, wet or oily surfaces, etc.)

• Trip (over objects, uncovered hoses or cables, etc.)

• Fall

• Pushing or pulling

• Contact injury with object (aircraft wing, tug, etc.)

• Assault or injury by another person

• Other. Please specify: ________________________________________________

Display This Question:

If How did your injury occur? = Fall

AND

If In the past five years, have you been injured as a result of your work? = Yes

Q47a_SPO Was your fall while you were above ground level or at ground level?

• Above ground level (on a ladder, aircraft wing, etc.)

• At ground level

Display This Question:

If In the past five years, have you been injured as a result of your work? = Yes

Q48_SPO How was your injury treated?

Please select all that apply.

• Did not receive any treatment

• Received first aid at work

• Self-treatment at home after work

• Went to medical or community clinic

• Went to hospital or emergency room, but wasn't admitted to hospital

• Hospitalized 1-3 days

• Hospitalized 4-7 days

• Hospitalized more than 7 days

• Received outpatient long-term care including therapy (physical, occupational, massage, counseling, etc.)

• Other. Please explain: ________________________________________________

Display This Question:

If In the past five years, have you been injured as a result of your work? = Yes

Q49_SPO Due to your injury, did you miss any workdays?

• Yes

• No

• I don’t remember

• Prefer not to answer

Display This Question:

If Due to your injury, did you miss any workdays? = Yes

AND

If In the past five years, have you been injured as a result of your work? = Yes

Q49a_SPO Due to your injury, about how much time did you miss from work?

• Days ________________________________________________

• Weeks ________________________________________________

• Months ________________________________________________

• Years

• I don’t remember_____________________________________________________

Display This Question:

If In the past five years, have you been injured as a result of your work? = Yes

Q50_SPO What part or parts of your body were affected?
Please select all that apply.

• Head

• Neck

• Upper limbs (shoulders, arms, hands, wrists)

• Lower limbs (legs, knees, feet)

• Trunk (back, lungs, stomach, chest, hips, buttocks)

• Other. Please explain: ________________________________________________

Display This Question:

If In the past five years, have you been injured as a result of your work? = Yes

Q51_SPO At the time of your injury, about how long had you been at work that day?

• Less than 1 hour

• 1 – 2 hours

• 3 – 5 hours

• 6 – 8 hours

• More than 8 hours

• I don’t remember

Display This Question:

If In the past five years, have you been injured as a result of your work? = Yes

Q52_SPO Did you file a worker's compensation claim for your injury?

• Yes

• No, I didn’t have coverage at the time

• No, other

• Prefer not to answer

• I don’t remember

Display This Question:

If Did you file a worker's compensation claim for your injury? = No, other

AND

If In the past five years, have you been injured as a result of your work? = Yes

Q52a_SPO Which of following best describes your reasons for not filing a worker's compensation claim?

Please select all that apply.

• I didn't think the injury was bad enough, filing was unnecessary

• I didn't know I could

• I didn't know how

• I didn’t want to hurt my company

• I was worried it would make me look bad

• Other. Please describe: ________________________________________________

Display This Question:

If In the past five years, have you been injured as a result of your work? = Yes

Q53_SPO Do you think your injury could have been prevented?

• Yes. What could have prevented it? ________________________________

• No. Please explain: ______________________________

• I don't know

Q54_SPO What do you think contributes most to injuries in aviation in Alaska?

________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Q55_SPO If you could make changes, how would you make your job safer?

________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Q56_SPO Have you ever felt so tired at work that you forgot what you were doing, what you had done, or made a mistake?

• Yes

• No

• I don’t remember

• Prefer not to answer

Q57_SPO During YEAR, about how often would you have liked to decline a flight because you were too tired, but you flew anyway? 

• Daily

• Weekly

• Monthly

• Less often than monthly

• Never

• Prefer not to answer

Q58_SPO How much of a problem is pilot fatigue in pilot scheduling? 

• Not a problem

• Minor problem

• Major problem

Q59_SPO In the list of equipment below, indicate how helpful you think each is in preventing aircraft crashes:

	Not helpful	Somewhat helpful	Very helpful	Don't know
Autopilot
ADS-B (Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast)
VOR (Very high frequency omni-directional range navigation equipment)
GPS (Global Positioning System)
NDB (Non-directional beacon)
Interactive map
TAWS (Terrain awareness and warning system)
TCAS (Traffic collision avoidance system)
Other. Please describe:

Q60_SPO In the list of equipment below, indicate how helpful you think each is in surviving after a crash:

	Not helpful	Somewhat helpful	Very helpful	Don't know
Satellite phone
Cell phone
Personal Location Beacon
ELT (Emergency Locator Transmitter)
Satellite Tracking Device (Spidertracks, SPOT)
Survival kit
Other. Please describe:

Q61_SPO What do you think contributes most to aviation accidents in Alaska?

________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

These final questions ask about you.

Q62_SPO What is the highest level of education you have completed?

• Less than high school

• Attended high school; didn't graduate

• GED or equivalent

• High school diploma

• Attended college; no degree

• Associate's degree

• Bachelor's degree

• Graduate or Professional degree

Q63_SPO Are you male or female?

• Male

• Female

• Prefer not to answer

Q64_SPO How old are you?

• Years: ________________________________________________

• Prefer not to answer

Q65_SPO What is your race?
Please select all that apply.

• American Indian or Alaska Native

• White

• Black or African American

• Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander

• Asian

• Some other race. Please specify: ________________________________________________

• Prefer not to answer

Q66_SPO Please add any other comments about aviation safety in Alaska you think we should know.

________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________

Thank you for your help!

(End of Single-Pilot Operator Survey)

(Start of Operator Qs)

These first questions ask about your current employment. 

Q2 Which of the following best describes your primary role or position with your company?

• Director of Maintenance

• Director of Operations

• Director of Safety

• Chief Pilot

• Other. Please specify: ________________________________________________

Display This Question:

If Which of the following best describes your primary role or position with this your company? = Chief Pilot

Q2a_Do you ever work as a pilot for your company?

• Yes

• No

Display This Question:

If Do you ever work as a pilot for this your company? = Yes

Q2b Do you fly on a regular schedule for your company?

• Yes

• No

Q3 How long have you worked for your company?

Please enter the number of months if less than 1 year.

• Years: ________________________________________________

• Months: ________________________________________________

Q4 How many aircraft does your company operate?

• Number of aircraft: ________________________________________________

Q5 Please list total flight hours and departures for all aircraft flown by your company in YEAR (both scheduled and unscheduled). 

	YEAR
	Scheduled	Unscheduled
Total flight hours
Instrument flight hours
Total number of departures

This next set of questions asks about employees working at your company in YEAR.

Q6 In total, how many workers does your company currently employ?

• Less than 10

• 11 - 20

• 21 - 49

• More than 50

Q7 For aircraft maintenance, does your company contract for services, directly employ mechanics, or do something else? Please select all that apply.

• Contract for services

• Directly employ aircraft mechanics

• Do something else. Please explain: _______________

Display This Question:

If For maintenance, does your company contract for services, employ mechanics, or do something else? = Contract for services

Q7a Please provide the company contact information for the contract services.

• Company name: _______________

• Phone number (907-555-1234): ________________

• Email: _______________________

Display This Question:

If For maintenance, does your company contract for services, employ mechanics, or do something else? = Employ mechanics

Q7b How many aircraft mechanics does your company currently employ directly, as employees?

• 1

• 2

• 3 or more

Display This Question:

If For maintenance, does your company contract for services, employ mechanics, or do something else? = Employ mechanics

Q7c How many aircraft mechanics does your company typically employ each season?

	1 mechanic	2 mechanics	3 or more mechanics	None
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Display This Question:

If For maintenance, does your company contract for services, employ mechanics, or do something else? = Directly employ mechanics

AND How many aircraft mechanics does your company currently employ directly, as employees? != 1

Q7d Do mechanics usually work alone or do they work as part of a team?

• Alone usually

• Work as part of a team

• Other. Please explain: ________________________________________________

Q8 How many ramp/baggage/cargo/dock agents does your company currently employ?

• 1

• 2

• 3 or more

• None

Display This Question:

If How many ramp/baggage/cargo/dock agents does your company currently employ? != None

Q8a How many ramp/baggage/cargo/dock agents does your company typically employ each season? 

	1	2	3 or more	None
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Q9 How many customer service/gate agents does your company currently employ?

• 1

• 2

• 3 or more

• None

Display This Question:

If How many customer service/gate agents does your company currently employ? != None

Q9a How many customer service/gate agents does your company typically employ each season?

	1	2	3 or more	None
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Q10 How many pilots does your company typically employ each season?

	1 Pilot	2 Pilots	3 or more pilots	None
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Q11 How many pilots did your company employ in each of the last 3 years?

• YEAR 1______________________________________________

• YEAR 2______________________________________________

• YEAR 3______________________________________________

Q12 Beginning with “1” for the most important, then “2” for the second most important, and so on, please rank the importance of these skills and experiences when hiring a pilot.

______ Flight hours in the area of Alaska where the pilot will fly

______ Flight hours in Alaska (total Alaska flight hours)

______ Total flight hours, anywhere

______ Flight hours in the type of aircraft your company uses

______ Instrument flight hours

______ Stick and rudder skills (basic airmanship skills)

______ Customer service skills

______ Other. Please describe: ___________________

Q13 How does your company pay your pilots?

• Hourly for all duty hours

• Hourly for flight hours only

• Salary

• Combination of salary and flight hours

• Combination of flight hours, duty hours, and salary

• By flight completions

• Other. Please explain: ________________________________________________

Q14 Does your company pay your pilots overtime?

• Yes

• No

Display This Question:

If Does your company pay your pilots overtime? = Yes

Q14a Under what conditions does your company pay your pilots overtime?

________________________________________________________________

This next set of questions asks about policies, operations, and equipment at your company.

Q15 Do your pilots perform duties other than piloting the airplane?

• Yes

• No

Display This Question:

If Do your pilots perform duties other than piloting the airplane? = Yes

Q15a What other duties do pilots typically perform? Please list.

________________________________________________________________

Q16 Does your company require higher than FAA weather minimums for flying? 

• Yes

• No

Display This Question:

If Does your company require higher than FAA weather minimums for flying? = Yes

Q16a Please describe your policy that requires higher than FAA weather minimums for flying. Note when your company began this requirement.

________________________________________________________________

Q17 Some companies have written policies that require pilots to complete ground school training and demonstrate abilities through a simulator check out, check ride, another activity or task, or some other means.

For each of the conditions listed below, please indicate if your company’s policy has these requirements.

Whiteout conditions are when blowing snow, fog, or haze limit all visual references.

Flat light conditions are when an overcast limits visual cues, the features of the terrain, and make it hard to determine distance.

	No policy	Ground school discussion	Simulator check out	Check ride	Activity or task	Other
Whiteout conditions
Low visibility conditions
Flat light conditions
Inadvertent VFR into IMC
Other. Please list:

Q18 Does your company have a written list of required conditions to launch a flight (for example, a risk assessment worksheet)? 

• Yes

• No

Q19 Who can decide to cancel a flight? Mark all that apply.

• Pilot

• Someone else in the company. What is their position? ______

• Someone outside the company. What is their position? ______

Display This Question:

IF Who can decide to cancel a flight? != Pilot

Q19a If a non-pilot employee makes decisions about launching flights, what training (initial and recurrent) does the company require that person to have? 

________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Q20 How many of your company aircraft have the following types of equipment? 
Please rate each type as very helpful, somewhat helpful, or not at all helpful to flight safety in Alaska.

*If you are using a mobile device, like a smart phone or tablet, please turn it sideways so you can see the full question. You may need to turn off your "screen lock" feature so the screen will turn. 

	Number of Aircraft	Helpfulness
	#	Not at all helpful	Somewhat helpful	Very helpful	I don’t know
Electronic Primary Flight Display (PFD)
Electronic Flight Bag (EFB) Installed
Terrain Awareness Warning System (TAWS)
Collision Avoidance (TCAS, TCAD, TIS)
Emergency Locator Transmitter: 121.5 MHz
Emergency Locator Transmitter: 406 MHz
Angle of Attack Display
	#	Not at all helpful	Somewhat helpful	Very helpful	I don’t know
Global Positioning System – VFR Only
Global Positioning System – IFR Approved
Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast In
Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast Out
VOR (Very high frequency Omni-directional Range)
VOR/DME (Very high frequency Omni-directional Range /Distance Measuring Equipment)
Satellite Tracking Device (SPOT, Spidertracks, InReach)
	#	Not at all helpful	Somewhat helpful	Very helpful	I don’t know

Q21 In general, what survival equipment is in your company aircraft? 
Please select all that apply.

• Carry what is legally required

• Sleeping or camping gear (blankets, sleeping bags, tarps, tents)

• Cooking supplies (food, water, stove, etc.)

• Company survival kit

• First aid kit

• Satellite phone

• Search and rescue aids (flares, mirror, rescue laser, etc.)

• Flotation devices (personal flotation devices, life rafts, etc.)

• Other. Please specify: ________________________________________________

Q22 Does your company provide training to on how to use the survival equipment in the aircraft? 

• Yes

• No

We have a few more questions about training provided by your company.

Q23 Does your company provide training on proper lifting techniques?

• Yes

• No

Display This Question:

If Does your company provide training on proper lifting techniques? = Yes

Q23a Which employees receive this training? Please select all that apply.

• Company management

• Pilots

• Customer service agents

• Flight support personnel

• Office and administrative personnel

• Mechanics, including mechanic helpers, assistants, maintenance staff, inspectors, etc.

• Ramp, baggage, cargo, or dock agents

• Other. Please describe: ________________________________________________

Q24 Does your company provide tools or equipment to help reduce stress or strain on the body caused by lifting or transferring heavy items? 

• Yes

• No

Display This Question:

If Does your company provide tools or equipment to reduce stress or strain on the body caused by lifting or transferring heavy items? = Yes

Q24a Is any of the following equipment available at work to assist with moving heavy items? Please select all that apply

• Forklift

• Pallet jack

• Mechanical lift

• Other. Please describe: _________

• None of the above

Q25 What types of survival training does your company provide? Please select all that apply.

• Aircraft Egress Training

• Basic Survival Training

• Fixed Wing Underwater Egress Training

• Helicopter Underwater Egress Training

• Dunker Training

• Other. Please describe: ________________________________________________

• None

Q26 Does your company provide fatigue prevention training for pilots?

• Yes

• No

Q27 How much of a problem is pilot fatigue in pilot scheduling? 

• Not a problem

• Minor problem

• Major problem

The next few questions are about safety at your company.

Q28 Does your company have an internal system for tracking events or conditions related to safety? 

• Yes

• No

Q29 Does your company offer safety awards or incentives?

• Yes

• No

Display This Question:

If Does your company offer safety awards or incentives? = Yes

Q29a Please describe what type(s) of safety awards or incentives your company offers.

________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

The following questions are about work-related exposures, illnesses, and injuries and measures to eliminate them at your job as a single-pilot operator.

Examples of exposures are workplace exposures to harmful substances, fumes, loud noises, and temperature extremes.

Examples of illnesses are skin diseases, respiratory disorders, and poisonings resulting from work exposures.

Examples of injuries are work-related cuts, fractures, sprains, hearing loss, and amputations.

These questions refer to a time when your body was damaged and required medical attention at the time of the event, or caused you to take time away from work, or required you to change how you did your job.

Q30 Does your company have an internal system for tracking employee on-the-job injuries or illnesses?

• Yes

• No

• I don’t know

Q31 In the past five years, about how many employees have been injured on-the-job?

• Number of employees: __________

• None

• I don’t know

Display This Question:

If In the past five years, about how many employees have been injured on-the-job? != None

Q32 In the past five years, which employee groups have been most frequently injured on-the-job at your company? 

• Company management

• Pilots

• Customer service agents

• Flight support personnel

• Office and administrative personnel

• Mechanics, including mechanic helpers, assistants, maintenance staff, inspectors, etc.

• Ramp, baggage, cargo, or dock agents

• Other. Please describe:

• No one group of employees is injured more frequently than any other

• I don’t know

Display This Question:

If In the past five years, about how many employees have been injured on-the-job? != None

Q33 When employees were injured on-the-job, what were the most frequently affected part or parts of the body?

• Head

• Neck

• Upper limbs (shoulders, arms, hands, wrists)

• Lower limbs (legs, knees, feet)

• Trunk (back, lungs, stomach, chest, hips, buttocks)

• None

• I don’t know

• Other. Please explain: ________________________________________________

Display This Question:

If In the past five years, about how many employees have been injured on-the-job? != None

Q34 In the past five years, about how many employees have filed worker's compensation claims?

• Number of employees: __________

• None

• I don’t know

Q35 What do you think contributes most to injuries in aviation in Alaska?

________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Q36 If you could make changes, how would you reduce injuries, prevent illnesses, and increase safety at your company?

________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Q37 Please indicate how much you agree or disagree with each of the following statements. Where I work…

Where I work…	Strongly Disagree	Disagree	Neither Disagree nor Agree	Agree	Strongly Agree
the safety of workers is a high priority with management.
workers are discouraged from reporting safety issues.
there are no significant compromises or shortcuts taken when worker safety is at stake.
keeping aircraft in the air is more important than worker safety.
employees and management work together to ensure the safest possible working conditions.
management isn’t interested in safety issues.

Company Insurance

Q38 In the last 18 months, have your company's insurance costs per seat changed? 

• Increased

• Decreased

• No change

Skip To: Q40 IF In the last 18 months, have your company's insurance costs per seat changed? = No change

Display This Question:

If In the last 18 months, have your company's insurance costs per seat changed? = Increased

Q38a By what percent did they increase?

• % increased: ________________________________________________

Display This Question:

If In the last 18 months, have your company's insurance costs per seat changed? = Decreased

Q38b By what percent did they decrease?

• % decreased: ________________________________________________

Display This Question:

If In the last 18 months, have your company's insurance costs per seat changed? != No change

Q39 Why do you believe the insurance costs changed?

________________________________________________________________

Q40 In YEAR, about what percentage of your company’s revenue came from the following sources?

Passengers	_____%
Cargo	_____%
Mail	_____%
Other. Please describe: _________________	_____%
Total	_____%

The questions in the table below ask for your opinion about measures that might improve aviation safety throughout Alaska (not just at your company).

Q41 For each measure, indicate how effective you think it could be in preventing aircraft crashes if it were widely applied in Alaska aviation, and how often your pilots receive this training. 

*If you are using a mobile device, like a smart phone or tablet, please turn it sideways so you can see the full question. You may need to turn off your "screen lock" feature so the screen will turn. 

Whiteout conditions are when blowing snow, fog, or haze limit all visual references.

Flat light conditions are when an overcast limits visual cues, the features of the terrain, and make it hard to determine distance.

	Effectiveness				Frequency
	Not effective	Somewhat effective	Very effective	Don't know	At hire	Annually	Never
Pilot training in meteorology
Pilot training in aeronautical decision-making
Pilot training in whiteout conditions
Pilot training in flat light conditions
Pilot training in CFIT avoidance
Pilot training in regional hazards
	Not effective	Somewhat effective	Very effective	Don't know	At hire	Annually	Never
Greater ability for pilots to refuse flights due to weather
Easing of time limit to move by-pass mail
Changes in Medicare patient transport requirements
Improvement in infrastructure to allow more IFR flights
Improvements in company's operational control structure

Q42 If you had to choose just two of the above measures as most useful, which would they be? 

• First choice: (Dropdown list of 11 measures in Q39 above)

• Second choice: (Dropdown list of 11 measures in Q39 above)

Q43 If there are other measures that you believe might improve aviation safety in Alaska, but which weren’t listed in the two questions above, please list them below.

________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Q44 What do you think contributes most to aviation accidents in Alaska?

________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Q45 Please add any other comments about aviation safety in Alaska you think we should know. ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Employee Contact Information

As you read earlier, we are asking people in different aviation occupations about their work. We want to send them a survey similar to the one you just answered. 

We need to select a scientific sample of people in each occupation. We are asking for the name, phone number, email address, and mailing address for all of your employees in each job group for two reasons.

First is so we can learn how many people in Alaska are employed in each job group.  Once we know how many people are in this job group we can determine how many we need to complete the survey to have a representative sample of that occupation. The other reason we ask for everyone in each job group is so no one can figure out who completed a survey. When we have all people in an occupation, no individual can be identified. 

The job groups are:

Job Group P: pilots

Job Group M: mechanics (ground, equipment, auto, diesel, etc.), maintenance inspectors, avionics technicians, etc.

Job Group C: customer service agents, office or administrative flight support personnel, flight or ground specialists, village agents, flight followers, etc.

Job Group R: baggage or cargo handlers, ramp agents, dock agents, etc.

If you have 50 or more employees, please select the option below and we will contact you to find the easiest way to get this information. 

If you have any questions, please call our toll-free number XXX-XXX-XXXX.   

Thank you.

Category (please choose one)	Employee’s name	Current mailing address	Phone #	Email address
P, M, C, R

Thank you for your help!

End of Survey