The aim of this study was to investigate the safety climate1 of
Australian aviation as perceived by commercial pilots. To do this,
the ATSB sent a survey to 5000 commercial pilots throughout
Australia. The survey had two parts: one was a safety climate scale
and the other asked about safety experiences during the last year.
Demographic information was also sought. This report is limited to
the demographic data and the first part of the survey, the safety
climate scale. Safety climate perceptions are also reviewed. The
safety climate instrument was developed as a generic measure of
safety climate for the transport sector. Use of this measure with
an aviation sample revealed four factors of safety climate
important to aviation - management commitment, training, equipment
and maintenance and rules and procedures. Graphs of each factor by
flying category (RPT, charter and aerial work) are presented. Most
respondents either agreed or strongly agreed that the aspects of
safety measured were present in the industry.