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Pilots who operate under visual flight rules (VFR) and in visual meteorological conditions, who then continue flight into instrument meteorological conditions (IMC), remain as one of the leading causes of fatal aircraft accidents in general aviation. This paper examines past and current research initiatives, in seeking to identify causal factors and gaps in training that lead to VFR-into-IMC aircraft accidents, using a mixed methods approach. The Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association Air Safety Institute database and the National Transportation Safety Board database search engines were used to identify accident reports associated with VFR flight into IMC/deteriorating weather conditions for a 10-year time period (2003 to 2012). A national survey was also conducted to gain deeper insight into the self-identified training deficiencies of pilots. There is evidence that situational awareness is linked to decision-making, and there is a lack of proper training with regards to weather and weather technology concepts, making it difficult for pilots to gain these knowledge areas, skills, and abilities throughout their initial flight training and subsequent experience.

According to the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association Air Safety Institute, 264 accidents were identified as continued visual flight rules (VFR) into instrument meteorological conditions (IMC), during the past ten years. Approximately 89% of those VFR-into-IMC accidents were fatal, causing hundreds of deaths. VFR-into-IMC has been a major concern for the general aviation community, prompting focused efforts. Research, data analyses, outreach, training, and education are recommended practices to address risks associated with VFR-into-IMC. Researchers of the current study sought to evaluate the cause and effect relationship between two training protocols and weather-related posttest scores. A pretest-posttest experimental design was utilized at two testing locations. Participants were randomly assigned to one of three groups: a control group, an interactive online training group, or an interactive workshop group. An analysis of covariance was used to determine whether there was a significant difference between mean posttest scores among the experimental groups while controlling for pretest scores. The treatments did not appear to significantly increase posttest scores after controlling for pretest scores, at either experiment location. Though the results of this study did not yield anticipated findings, much was learned and potentially helpful to general aviation researchers seeking to mitigate VFR-into-IMC encounters. Recommendations for future research and practices are discussed.

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This paper documents flight training strategies used to accommodate student pilots with disabilities in the Able Flight at Purdue program; this program benefits participants as well as the institutional sponsor and the aviation industry. All training aircraft, procedures, and operations are compliant with Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) regulations, however, the program utilizes a tailored approach within the regulatory standards to meet the unique needs of each individual. The SHELL model (Software, Hardware, Environment and Liveware) is used as a theoretical framework to illustrate how flight training is adapted for individuals with limited dexterity or limited hearing. The Able Flight at Purdue program is explained, including the preparation before the students arrive on campus and the accelerated flight training program. Two case studies using the SHELL model illustrate training modifications for a pilot who uses a manual wheelchair and a Deaf pilot; both of these students successfully completed the program and earned an FAA Sport Pilot certificate. This Peer Review Practice paper also discusses the benefits of the program. There are direct benefits to the individual participants, both to the student pilots as well as to the certified flight instructors (CFIs), based on qualitative survey responses. The broader impacts of the program include support for diversity and inclusion realized by the institution, the aviation sector, and the community.