During the past ten years, there have only been a few published research studies examining the possible behavioral consequences of energy drink consumption by college students. With that in mind, the authors surveyed collegiate aviation flight students regarding their consumption of energy drinks and their perceptions of side effects and behavioral patterns after consuming energy drinks. Results show that 57% of student pilots surveyed consume energy drinks 1-3 times a week. In addition, 56% stated they can only consume one energy drink (16 ounces) without experiencing side effects. A majority (60%) reported they consumed energy drinks the same day they piloted an aircraft; and the same percentage (60%) had observed other student pilots consuming energy drinks the same day they piloted an aircraft. And yet, 67% of the participating flight students agree that energy drinks have an effect on collegiate flight students' ability to pilot an aircraft.
In response to the Colgan Air Flight 3407 crash, new legislation has been enacted. Among this new legislation is Public Law 111-216 (PL 111-216) that will require newly hired airline pilots to have acquired an Airline Transport Pilot (ATP) Certificate. This new requirement will affect aspiring pilots and training institutions. Collegiate flight training institutions have been particularly concerned with the implementation of PL 111-216. To explore the potential effects of this new legislation and the perceptions of the survey respondents, this study surveyed collegiate flight training institutions. Results indicate collegiate aviation training institution respondents concerned that as a result of PL 111-216, programmatic and training costs will increase, recruitment and retention of student pilots will be adversely affected, and overall, the law will be detrimental to collegiate aviation flight training programs.
Over the last decade, energy drinks have become ubiquitous on college campuses. The global market for these drinks exceeds billions of dollars a year and new 'energy' products are progressively marketed and introduced annually. Outside of college student populations, the effects of energy drinks have been examined extensively. However, among college students, limited energy drink research has been conducted, and this study was the first to examine the effects of energy drinks among collegiate flight students. The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of energy drink consumption on collegiate flight students' pilot skills in simulated flight. Thirty collegiate flight students participated in two distinct simulated flight sessions after consuming a 16-ounce energy drink and a 16-ounce placebo. After students consumed each drink, the researchers evaluated pilot skills in three distinct areas; straight and level flight, complex turns, and in-flight emergencies. Even though statistical analysis on some of the flight session data failed to disprove the null hypothesis (H 0 ): The consumption of energy drinks has no significant effect on collegiate flight students' pilot skills, the results of this investigative study raise new questions and concerns regarding collegiate student pilots and provide a springboard for future research projects.
In response to the 2009 Colgan 3407 airline crash and ensuing public concern, Public Law 111-216: The Airline Safety and Federal Aviation Administration Extension Act of 2010 was signed into law on August 1, 2010. This legislation mandated significant changes to the aviation and airline industries. Among these changes, an increase in pilot qualification standards was enforced for pilots seeking employment with US air carriers. This study explores the perceptions of aviation faculty members and flight center personnel at fouryear collegiate flight training programs in the US regarding the effect of PL 111-216. Results of this national study indicate the majority of respondents believe PL 111-216 will have an adverse effect on collegiate aviation flight students, collegiate aviation flight training programs and the US air carrier industry. This study also revealed the perception that collegiate flight students will begin to pursue flight careers (non-US airline or corporate aviation) that are not directly impacted by PL 111-216.
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