Date of Award
Fall 2026
Access Type
Dissertation - Open Access
Degree Name
Doctor of Philosophy in Aviation
Department
College of Aviation
Committee Chair
Scott R. Winter
Committee Chair Email
First Committee Member
Stephen Rice
First Committee Member Email
Second Committee Member
Joao Souza Dias Garcia
Second Committee Member Email
Third Committee Member
Lakshmi Vempati
Third Committee Member Email
College Dean
Alan J. Stolzer
Abstract
The implementation of Remote Tower Systems (RTS) within the National Airspace System (NAS) offers potential improvements in operational efficiency, cost-effectiveness, and scalability; however, its success depends on pilots' willingness to operate in such environments. This study examined the effects of tower system type (RTS vs. Traditional Tower Systems [TTS]) and weather conditions (visual meteorological conditions [VMC], marginal visual meteorological conditions [MVMC], and instrument meteorological conditions [IMC]) on pilots’ willingness to pilot (WTP), while also evaluating the mediating role of perceived risk (PR). Grounded in Paul Slovic’s Risk Perception Theory (RPT), this research employed a quantitative experimental design using a factorial survey methodology. A total of 1,019 instrument-rated pilots meeting eligibility criteria participated in the study by completing a structured, web-based data collection instrument.
A two-way mixed analysis of variance (ANOVA) was conducted to assess the main and interaction effects of tower system and weather on WTP. Results indicated a statistically significant main effect of tower system F(1, 1017) = 277.42, p < .001, η²p= .214, with pilots reporting higher WTP in TTS environments (M = 1.43, SE = .04) than in RTS environments (M = 0.56, SE = .04). A significant main effect of weather was also observed, F(1.63, 1659.85) = 228.32, p < .001, η²p= .183, with WTP decreasing as weather conditions deteriorated from VMC (M = 1.29, SE = .03) to MVMC (M = 0.98, SE = .03) and IMC (M = 0.76, SE = .04). Although the interaction between tower system and weather was statistically significant, F(1.63, 1659.85) = 3.50, p = .039, η²p= .003, the associated effect size was trivial, suggesting minimal practical impact.
Mediation analyses using Hayes’ PROCESS Model 4 revealed that PR significantly mediated the relationship between tower system and WTP across all weather conditions. Significant indirect effects were observed for VMC (b = −0.692, 95% CI [−0.797, −0.593]), MVMC (b = −0.684, 95% CI [−0.793, −0.584]), and IMC (b = −0.642, 95% CI [−0.749, −0.542]). RTS environments were associated with higher levels of PR, which corresponded to lower WTP.
These findings suggest that differences in WTP between RTS and TTS are largely, though not entirely, explained by variations in PR rather than operational conditions alone. The results contribute to the literature by extending RPT to the context of emerging aviation technologies and by highlighting the importance of addressing pilot perceptions in the implementation of RTS. Practical implications include the need for targeted training, transparent communication, and regulatory clarity to mitigate perceived risks and support pilot willingness to operate in RTS environments. Finally, this study provides an empirical foundation to inform stakeholders seeking to advance RTS integration within the NAS.
Scholarly Commons Citation
Schultz, Nathan Royal, "Willingness to Pilot Under Varying Weather and Tower System Conditions: Mediating Effects of Risk" (2026). Doctoral Dissertations and Master's Theses. 1025.
https://commons.erau.edu/edt/1025
