The Tripartite Aviation Risk Perception Scale (TARPS): Development and preliminary scale validation in pilots

Accurate risk perception is a cornerstone of aviation safety, yet human error remains a primary cause of accidents, often attributed to deficiencies in pilot decision-making. Risk perception is regularly invoked to explain pilot decision making under uncertainty, yet aviation measurement has often relied on scenario ratings that infer "risk perception" from judgments about hypothetical situations that conflate affective reactions with experiential heuristics.

The current study aimed at the development and preliminary validation of the 15-item Tripartite Aviation Risk Perception Scale (TARPS) for pilots. It provides a brief alternative to scenario-heavy instruments for measuring risk perception in pilots. It adapts a three-factor framework, separating cognitive (deliberative), affective (risk-related concern and worry), and experiential (intuitive "gut" feeling) components of risk perception.

A cross-sectional survey of pilots (n = 123) was conducted in person using items designed to be relevant across aviation pilot populations.

Exploratory factor analysis supported a three-factor structure with strong simple structure. Confirmatory factor analysis supported a correlated first-order three-factor model with adequate fit. Internal consistency was acceptable across subscales and for the total score. Findings suggest that pilots' risk perception can be directly measured as a multidimensional construct reflecting cognitive risk appraisal, affective risk concern, and experiential risk sensing.

By moving beyond scenario-based assessments, the scale may help future research examine how risk is appraised, felt, and sensed by pilots, with possible later applications to Aeronautical Decision Making (ADM) training and safety intervention after additional validation.