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Aviation Inspector Survey

In February 2007, a survey was presented to the Canadian Federal Pilots Association revealing inspectors' skepticism towards Transport Canada's Safety Management Systems (SMS) and concerns about increased risk in the aviation system. Detailed findings include language and experience preferences of inspectors.

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Aviation Inspector Survey

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  1. Aviation Inspector Survey Presented to: Canadian Federal Pilots Association February 2007

  2. Table of Contents Introduction & Methodology 2 Key Findings & Recommendations 3 Detailed Findings 5

  3. Introduction & Methodology Introduction • POLLARA is pleased to present the Canadian Federal Pilots Association (CFPA) with the following report of findings from a web survey conducted between January 26th and February 2nd, 2007. • The key objectives of the research were to determine: • Attitudes towards Transport Canada’s planned Safety Management Systems (SMS); • The perceived impact of SMS on Canada’s aviation system; • Confidence in Canada’s aviation system. Methodology • Quantitative research was used to explore aviation inspectors’ opinions towards Transport Canada’s planned Safety Management Systems (SMS), and the aviation system in general. A web survey was used to meet these objectives. • The sample for this survey was drawn by CFPA, and included only aviation inspectors with Transport Canada. • CFPA distributed an email invitation to 377 aviation inspectors who work for Transport Canada, asking them to complete an online survey. • In total, 247aviation inspectors completed the survey, resulting in a exceptionally high response rate of 65.5%. • Frequencies have been reported for each question from the web survey. • Furthermore, where significant, differences between segments of aviation inspectors have been reported.

  4. Key Findings and Recommendations

  5. Key Findings & Recommendations Transport Canada’s Safety Management Systems (SMS) Met with Skepticism • Aviation inspectors who responded to the online survey are generally skeptical of Transport Canada’s SMS and most predict it will have a negative impact on Canada’s aviation system, increasing the likelihood of an aviation accident. • Although almost all aviation inspectors think that, in theory, safety management systems (SMS) could improve aviation safety in Canada (92%), two-in-three (67%) think Transport Canada’s planned SMS will result in a higher level of risk in Canada’s aviation system. • Furthermore, the vast majority (80%) of inspectors believe the new role of inspectors under the planned SMS will prevent them from addressing and correcting certificate holder safety problems in a timely fashion before they occur. Aviation Accident or Incident Likely • Findings from the online survey suggest that aviation inspectors are worried about the likelihood of an aviation accident occurring, with three-in-four saying they think an aviation accident or incident is likely in Canada in the near future, and 61% thinking Transport Canada’s planned SMS will actually increase the chance of a major aviation accident or incident.

  6. Detailed Findings

  7. Language of Preference • Almost nine-in-ten (89%) respondents preferred to complete the survey in English, compared to 11% who preferred to complete thesurvey in French. Q. Please select your language of preference.

  8. Years Worked in Aviation • The average number of years that respondents have worked in aviation is 28.38 years, and only 6% of respondents have worked in aviation for 15 years or less. Mean Score: 28.38 Median Score: 30.00 Q1. How many years have you worked in aviation? (PLEASE ENTER THE NUMBER OF YEARS)

  9. Years Worked as Aviation Inspector with Transport Canada • The average number of years that respondents have worked with Transport Canada as aviation inspectors is 11.39 years. Mean Score: 11.39 Median Score: 9.00 Q2. How many years have you been an aviation inspector with Transport Canada? (PLEASE ENTER THE NUMBER OF YEARS)

  10. Whether Safety Management Systems (SMS) Could Improve Aviation Safety in Canada • Almost all respondents (92%) believe SMS could improve aviation safety in Canada. Q3. In theory, do you believe a safety management systems (SMS) could improve aviation safety in Canada?

  11. Perceived Risk Associated with Transport Canada’s Planned SMS • Two-thirds (67%) of aviation inspectors think the planned SMS will result in a higher level of risk in Canada’s aviation system. • One-in-ten (9%) think SMS will result in a lower level of risk while 16% do not think there will be a difference in risk levels. Q4. In your opinion, will Transport Canada’s planned SMS result in:

  12. Perceived Risk Associated with Transport Canada’s Planned SMS, by Years with Transport Canada • The longer inspectors have been with Transport Canada, the more likely they are to think the planned SMS will result in a higher level of risk in Canada’s aviation system, increasing from 60% among those who have been with Transport Canada for 5 years or less to 82% among those who have been with the organization for 21 years or more.

  13. Higher Risk Associated with Transport Canada’s Planned SMS 67 % Say Planned SMS will Result in Higher Level RiskIn Canada’s Aviation System Industry Emphasis On Costs Regulatory Resources &Number Of Inspectors Level Of Integrity InThe Industry Level Of Skill/Knowledge Among Certificate Holder Managers Level Of MaturityIn The Industry Level Of Skill/Knowledge Among Certificate Holder Employees Other Don’t Know • Of the two-thirds (67%) of respondents who think SMS will result in a higher level of risk in Canada’s aviation system, 62% cited industry emphasis on costs as the reason for the higher risk. • Two-in-five of these respondents identified regulatory resources and the number of inspectors (44%) and the level of integrity in the industry (38%) as reasons why they think the planned SMS will result in a higher level of risk. Q4. In your opinion, will Transport Canada’s planned SMS result in: Q5. Why do you say that? (PLEASE SELECT TOP 2 REASONS ONLY)

  14. Lower Risk Associated with Transport Canada’s Planned SMS 9% Say Planned SMS will Result in Lower Level RiskIn Canada’s Aviation System Level Of Maturity In The Industry Regulatory Resources &Number Of Inspectors Level Of Skill And Knowledge Among Certificate Holder Managers Level Of Skill And Knowledge Among Certificate Holder Employees Industry Emphasis On Costs Level Of Integrity In The Industry Other • Of the 9% of respondents who think SMS will result in a lower level of risk in Canada’s aviation system, over half (52%) believe this to be the case because of the maturity of the industry, while 38% identified the regulatory resources and the number of inspectors as the reason for SMS resulting in a lower level of risk. Q4. In your opinion, will Transport Canada’s planned SMS result in: Q5. Why do you say that? (PLEASE SELECT TOP 2 REASONS ONLY)

  15. Impact of SMS on Addressing Certificate Holder Safety Problems • Four-fifths (80%) of respondents think SMS will prevent them from addressing and correcting safety problems in a timely fashion, compared to 20% who think SMS will allow them to better address and correct the safety problems they encounter. Q6. Given the new role of an inspector under Transport Canada’s planned SMS to be more an overseer of certificate holder SMS systems, which of the following statements is closest to your own view as an inspector?

  16. Impact of SMS on Addressing Certificate Holder Safety Problems, by Years in Aviation • The longer respondents have worked in aviation, the more likely they are to believe that the new role of inspector under Transport Canada’s planned SMS will prevent them from addressing and correcting certificate holder safety problems in a timely fashion (Moving from 64% of respondents who have worked in aviation for 15 years or less to 88% of those with 36 years or more experience).

  17. Impact of Knowledge of SMS on Level of Confidence in Aviation System Safety • More than three-in-four (77%) respondents think that if the travelling public had their knowledge of Transport Canada’s planned SMS, their level of confidence in the safety of Canada’s aviation system would decrease. • Only 4% think their confidence would increase, and 10% think confidence would remain unchanged. Q7. If the travelling public had your knowledge of Transport Canada’s planned SMS, do you think their level of confidence in the safety of Canada’s aviation system would:

  18. Impact of Knowledge of SMS on Level of Confidence in Aviation System Safety,by Years with Transport Canada • Respondents with a longer working relationship with Transport Canada are more likely to think that if the public had their knowledge of SMS, their level of confidence in the safety of Canada’s aviation system would decrease (From 66% of those who have worked with Transport Canada for 5 years or less to 93% of those who have worked with Transport Canada for 21 years or more). • In contrast, those with the least amount of experience with Transport Canada think the public’s confidence would remain unchanged (20%, versus 4% of those who have worked with Transport Canada for 21 years or more.)

  19. Feelings About Air Operators & Airports Regulating Themselves • More than eight-in-ten (85%) respondents are worried about air operators and airports regulating themselves, with four-in-ten (43%) saying they are “very worried”. • Only one-in-ten (13%) are confident about air operators and airports regulating themselves. Total Worried = 85% Total Confident =13% Q8. How (ROTATE: confident or worried) are you personally about air operators, airports, etc. regulating themselves through SMS when it comes to safety?

  20. Perceived Motivation for Transport Canada to Introduce SMS To Respond To Dwindling Resources At Transport Canada To Transfer Legal Liability For Aviation Accidents From Transport Canada To Industry To Achieve Higher Levels Of Safety Within Canadian Aviation Operations To Improve The CanadianAviation Safety Record Other Don’t Know • Three-fifths (80%) of respondents think Transport Canada’s motivation to introduce SMS is to respond to dwindling resources, while one-half (54%) think it is to transfer legal liability for aviation accidents from Transport Canada to the industry. • Less than one-in-five (19%) think Transport Canada is motivated to introduce SMS to achieve higher levels of safety within Canadian aviation operations. Q9. In your view, what is Transport Canada’s motivation to introduce SMS? (PLEASE CHECK AS MANY AS APPLICABLE)

  21. Likelihood of a Major Aviation Accident or Incident in Canada • Three-in-four (74%) aviation inspectors think a major aviation accident or incident is likely in Canada in the near future, and 33% think an accident or incident is “very likely”. Total Likely=74% Total Unlikely=18% Q10. Given your knowledge and experience with the state of Canadian aviation system safety, in your opinion how likely is a major aviation accident or incident in Canada in the near future?

  22. Result of SMS on Accidents or Incidents • Three-in-five (61%) respondents think Transport Canada’s planned SMS will increase the chance of a major aviation accident or incident. • Only 6% think SMS will reduce the chance of an accident or incident. Q11. In your opinion, will Transport Canada’s planned SMS:

  23. Result of SMS on Accidents or Incidents,by Years with Transport Canada • The longer respondents have worked with Transport Canada, the more likely they are to believe that Transport Canada’s planned SMS will increase the chance of a major aviation accident or incident (From 49% of those with 5 years or less experience with Transport Canada to 75% of those with 21 years or more experience working with Transport Canada). • Inspectors with 5 years or less working experience with Transport Canada are most likely to think SMS will neither increase nor reduce the chance of a major accident or incident (32%).

  24. Roland Merbis, Associate Vice President 101 Yorkville Avenue, Suite 301 Toronto, Canada M5R 1C1 Tel: 416.921.0090 / Fax: 416.921.3903 www.pollara.com

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