The purpose of this study was to determine whether there are any significant decreases in the safety and effectiveness of pilots by age 60. The data for this study comes from records of general aviation accidents (i.e., for private pilots, commercial pilots, and air transport pilots). This accident data has been acquired from many specialized aviation data banks, these include: NTSB, AOPA, FAA, and the COMSIS Research Corporation. The data were organized into groups according to age of the pilot-in-command (PIC) responsible for the accident. The grouping progresses in five-year increments starting at 20–24, and ending with 55–59. The data were analyzed in terms of different accident statistics (i.e., based upon the number of pilots and the number of hours flown). The results indicate that age and experience both affect safety. The magnitude of these effects and their implications for aviation safety are discussed.

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Efforts in support of providing equal employment opportunities have created a serious interest in factors which may affect the potential aeronautical adaptability of women. The possible effects of the significant physical and hormonal changes associated with the menstrual cycle have been a focal point of considerable concern. This study assesses an individual's ability to perform complex, perceptual-psychomotor tasks during different phases of the menstrual cycle. Seventeen women served as paid volunteer subjects. All were between 20 and 30 years of age with a mean age of 24 years. Each woman was tested during the premenstruum (3 or 4 days prior to menstrual flow), during the menstrual flow, and during the intermenstrual phase of the cycle. In addition, data were collected on the use of oral contraceptives and on the severity and prevalence of individual menstrual cycle symptomatology as measured by the Menstrual Distress Questionnaire. The perceptual-psychomotor data w.ereused to evaluate the effects of menstrual cycle and oral contraceptives on performance unde ... stress. The data were also used to test Dalton's hypothesis that the lethargy the premenstruum and menstruation is responsible for lowered judgment and slow reaction time which might result in accidents. The results of the study indicated that there were no performance decrements associated with the menstrual cycle or use of oral contraceptives and failed to support Dalton's hypothesis.

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