Welcome
A unique consulting firm that offers a blend of expertise in both aviation and behavioral science.
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Our approach brings together experience in aviation safety systems and safety culture with expertise in social psychology and behavioral science. We offer an approach that is tailored to your organization and its goals. As an evidence-based consulting firm, our journey begins with a deep dive into understanding the nuances of your organization. This allows us to apply our sophisticated array of tools and methodologies, designed specifically to guide your organization toward its goals.
At Empirical Aero, we're committed to translating our research findings into practical, effective strategies for all four pillars of your Safety Management System. We understand the critical link between culture, safety, and efficiency. We offer safety culture assessments and tailored non-technical training with the intent to improve safety culture and increase employee engagement. Explore our site to learn more about how we can work together to take your operations to the next level. Welcome to a partnership that promises to transform academic excellence into operational excellence. |
What We DoUsing insights from behavioral science and social psychology, we offer an evidence-backed approach to help you positively influence your company's culture. Our team provides individualized support to help you understand your organization's current culture, and measure the gap between your current state and your short and long-term goals. We then use psychological insights to design tools and strategies to influence your culture and reach those goals, along with providing support to implement those strategies, evaluate their effectiveness, and reach your organization's safety culture goals.
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Our GoalWe will support you in applying evidence-based insights and research practices in the service of your organizational challenges and goals. We offer decades of real-world expertise in behavioral science and aviation safety systems and culture.
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The How.Step 1: Collect some data!
Our first step is to get to know you. We use techniques such as interviews, observational approaches, surveys, or other secondary sources to understand the current state of your organization and its culture. We work with you to determine the analytic approach that makes the most sense, given your current challenges and goals. Step 2: Are we aligned? An alignment analysis allows us to compare the data collected from step 1 to your flight department’s stated culture goals (both leadership goals, Safety Management System, and corporate company culture statements). We use our expertise to provide an assessment as to whether the behaviors of employees (Step 1 data) align with your company’s goals. If we don't see clear alignment, we move to step 3. Step 3: What are our options? We offer options for interventions to positively influence culture and remedy findings from Step 2. These interventions are evidence based: backed by rigorous research from applied behavioral science. If desired, we can also support you in developing a plan to implement them at scale. Step 4: Let’s reassess. Another round of data collection allows us to measure the efficacy of the interventions. We work closely with you to iterate on phase 2 implementation in order to maximize the return on effort. We provide you with the tools necessary for continuous improvement and evaluation over time. |
The Why.Crew Resource Management
The Federal Aviation Administration talks about measuring and training culture in their 2004 Advisory Circular (120-51E) Crew Resource Management Training, which says this about culture:
We measure your culture. Safety Management System The Safety Management International Collaboration Group (comprised of the alphabet soup of regulatory authorities: FAA, EASA, TC, ANAC, ICAO, etc.) provided the world with a globally-applicable SMS framework. As part of Annex 19 element 4.1.3, there is a requirement, as part of the Safety Promotion pillar, to provide employees with training: “Training includes human and organisational factors including just culture and non-technical skills with the intent of reducing human error” We offer that training. |
We Craft Practical Solutions with a Powerful Impact
What Makes Us Unique
When you work with us, you are guaranteed that - at every stage - we will bring rigorous and thoughtful methods to understanding your organization's culture and offering solutions. Our knowledge of the aviation industry ensures that our strategies are level-headed, yet still grounded in best practices and evidence-based processes and insights. With our team, there is no need for guesswork. We bring in-house expertise in human behavior and culture.
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Testimonials
"Perkins is a trailblazer within business aviation, where she’s a regular presence affirming the value of a more inclusive workforce."
-National Business Aviation Association (2020) |
"One of the most forward leaning researchers in our industry!"
-Business Aviation Safety Consortium (2023) |
"As the host of an industry podcast which highlights women leaders in aviation, I am so inspired by the important work Kimberly is doing. She is establishing the groundwork so that not only our industry can take action but also make our efforts count. Bravo!"
-Shaesta Waiz, Aviate (2023)
-Shaesta Waiz, Aviate (2023)