Abstract
M.Phil. (Leadership Coaching)
Professional pilots undergo continuous, rigorous training throughout their aviation
careers and are governed by legislation that defines the proficiency and fitness
required to exercise the privilege of being a pilot. This privilege often involves
significant mental stress that accompanies the responsibility for the safe operation of
any flight and those entrusted into their care while flying, while coping with the
operational and occupational demands of an inhospitable working environment. This
study explored the phenomenon of peer support and its role and contribution as an
effective response to addressing the wellbeing of pilots. The study occurred in a South
African aviation context.
A qualitative research design with a phenomenology approach was followed with the
purpose to discern meaning, to reflect and to understand. A phenomenological study
requires participants to have experience of the phenomenon, and often dictates the
sample size. Based on that, the researcher sought and obtained a sample size of nine
participants that fit this required research profile.
The primary data collection technique used in-depth, semi-structured interviews
supported by a secondary process of reviewing literature and available documentation.
Braun and Clarke’s Thematic Analysis (TA) method (2006) elicited detailed and rich
descriptions of the themes and sub-themes reflecting participants’ perceptions of their
lived experiences of the core phenomena, namely, peer support.
Peer support addressing the wellbeing of pilots is still in its infancy globally. Five
themes emerged from this current study on peer support in aviation that contribute to
the miniscule body of knowledge. The first theme depicted the complex relationship
between the wellbeing of pilots and medical certification of occupational fitness duty.
The second recounted pilots’ experience of their workplace as emotionally unsafe, and
deficient in recognising the occupational and operational stressors they encounter.
The conceptualisation of peer support emerged as the third theme, expounding on the
role of the peer, the principles on which the peer support process is founded, and its
hypothetical alignment with peer coaching. Theme four related the multi-dimensional
contribution of peer support, while the factors critical to integrating successful and
sustainable peer support emerged as the last theme...