# When Maritime Meets Aviation: The Safety of Seaplanes on the Water
## 2 Materials and Methods
### Survey  
While the analysis of accident and incident data is crucial for improving safety and ensuring accident prevention in the future, there are certain limitations that hinder a comprehensive understanding of all underlying safety factors. There are gaps in the available data that have been mentioned previously, especially related to the people involved in the occurrence, such as decision-making, concerns, and other contributory factors that can influence safety outcomes. Hence, additional data were collected to complement the  
\begin{table}
\begin{tabular}{c c} \hline \hline
**Phi Value** & **Strength of Relationship** \\ \hline \(-\)1.0 to \(-\)0.5 and 0.5 to 1.0 & Strong \\ \hline \(-\)0.5 to \(-\)0.3 and 0.3 to 0.5 & Moderate \\ \hline \(-\)0.3 to \(-\)0.1 and 0.1 to 0.3 & Weak \\ \hline \(-\)0.1 to 0.1 & None or very weak \\ \hline \hline \end{tabular}
\end{table}
Table 2: Interpretation of phi values [16].  
insights from accident and incident data analysis, by means of a survey that engaged with pilots and other safety professionals in the field.  
This survey encompassed a wide range of scenarios that encourage pilots to critically consider their actions in different conditions, while bringing awareness regarding current safety issues. These scenarios were based around the most frequent occurrence categories and phases of flight when accidents and incidents occur. The methods used to gather qualitative data from recreational, private GA pilots in Canada were as follows: semi-structured interviews, phenomenological focus groups, and a phenomenological questionnaire. Thematic and content analyses were employed to identify key safety issues and develop an in-depth understanding of the processes and interactions affecting GA seaplane safety. The data were coded and analyzed iteratively, enabling themes to emerge naturally from the data. This approach ensured a comprehensive understanding of the participants' perspectives and experiences.  
Participant confidentiality was preserved, and the study complied with the General Data Protection Regulation for health and care research. Additionally, approval from the Research Governance and Integrity Team (RGIT) was obtained for this survey. This study was conducted in compliance with the protocol, Data Protection Act 2018, and General Data Protection Regulations (Europe), along with other regulatory requirements as appropriate.  
Multiple-choice or open-ended questions were used, which were structured into six parts. These are a subset of the questions asked that relate to seaplane operations on waters only:  
1. Participant information and consent;
2. General details;
3. Information gathering--safety training and concerns;
4. Scenario discussion--take-off;
5. Scenario discussion--landing;
6. Ending questions.  
The questionnaire, focus groups and interviews were based on the same questions and began with a short description of their purpose, after which the participants were assured of their confidentiality and explained their freedom to withdraw without giving a reason (Part 1). Informed consent was obtained from all participants prior to proceeding with the questions. Parts 2 and 6 contained questions about the participants' age group, experience, seaplane ratings, safety training, and preferred methods of safety awareness. Sections 4 and 5 consisted of scenarios that included the questions \"What have you done to mitigate this?\" and \"What would you do to mitigate this?\", regarding different hazardous situations that may happen during take-off and landing.  
This survey was intended to gain information related to pilot decision-making during different scenarios, as well as other details about safety training and practices, and the ways in which pilots stay current and proficient. Pilots could express their current safety concerns and propose methods for safety prevention and awareness. All answers were anonymous, increasing the chance that the pilots would answer truthfully.