Source: Kurt Barnhart, 785-826-2972, kurtb@k-state.edu
Prepared by: Abigail Crouse, 785-826-2642, acrouse@sal.ksu.edu
Monday, Nov. 5, 2007
COCKPIT CLIMATE HAS ROLE IN AVIATION SAFETY, ACCORDING TO K-STATE EXPERT
SALINA -- A positive climate in the cockpit can contribute to a safer flight, according an aviation expert at Kansas State University at Salina.
Kurt Barnhart, head of the department of aviation at K-State at Salina, was one of a few aviation experts invited to present at Bombardier's recent Safety Standdown, Oct. 22-25, in Wichita.
Safety Standdown is a yearly seminar that is designed to improve safety by promoting skill-based training with knowledge-based training. The seminar topics are applicable to any aircraft, and are only presented by subject matter experts.
Barnhart's presentation, "The Role of Non-Verbal Communication on the Flight Deck," addressed the effect cockpit climate has on aviation safety. In recent years, Barnhart was involved in a research project that proved a connection between airline captains' behavior toward other crew members and flight safety.
"Based on that variable alone, the impact on aviation safety was significant," Barnhart said. "Those flight crews with a negative cockpit environment were much less safe than those where the captain set a positive climate."
During his presentation to 500 corporate pilots and industry representatives, Barnhart also gave pointers for setting a positive cockpit climate.
"That was what they took away," he said, "ways to improve the situation that they're in and make our skies safer."
Barnhart joined K-State at Salina in May 2007. He has a bachelor's degree in aviation administration from Purdue University, a master's in business administration from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University and a doctorate in educational administration from Indiana State University. He has authored numerous nationally published aviation articles.