Researcher | Pilot | Writer
Hi, I'm Kimberly.
I am a Captain on a Gulfstream 650 based in Seattle, WA. I have piloted jet aircraft on six continents, lived on three, and have flown for airlines and in business aviation. I am also a researcher and writer on diversity, inclusion, gender parity, psychological safety, cognitive bias and safety culture within aviation.
In 2021, I began developing my work into formal research on the impact of cognitive biases on aviation safety through doctoral research at the University of Washington.
I advocate that the industry needs aviation-specific, academically derived cognitive bias research, which will provide the structured foundation for a formal expansion of Human Factors training to include elements such as emotional intelligence, psychological safety, inclusive leadership and cognitive biases training as an approach to enhance safety culture.
Contemporary cognitive science research is the new era of aviation safety.
In 2021, I began developing my work into formal research on the impact of cognitive biases on aviation safety through doctoral research at the University of Washington.
I advocate that the industry needs aviation-specific, academically derived cognitive bias research, which will provide the structured foundation for a formal expansion of Human Factors training to include elements such as emotional intelligence, psychological safety, inclusive leadership and cognitive biases training as an approach to enhance safety culture.
Contemporary cognitive science research is the new era of aviation safety.
What makes a great pilot? 
"Perkins is a trailblazer within business aviation, where she’s a regular presence affirming the value of a more inclusive workforce. “Our current safety processes are important, but they break down without inclusion,” she says. “We’re entering a new wave of aviation safety that focuses on inclusivity because investing in human capital is our industry’s most precious resource.”
-National Business Aviation Association 
“We have a clear business case for diversity and inclusion,” said Perkins. “Diversity can lead to higher earning potential and an increase in safety through better decision making.”
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ATI Boeing Accelerator Panel: Creating a Sustainable Aerospace Industry
Sustainability is about ensuring longevity and that means investing in our human capitol. 
Sustainability means meeting the demands now without compromising the needs of the future. We often think about new fuel-efficient technology or offsetting our carbon emissions, but to me, sustainability isn’t just about the aircraft, airports, and technology, it’s about the health of the industry. That means the people in it. Sustainability is having the pipeline of educated and interested personnel to constantly be pushing the needle of creativity and innovation.
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Modernity has transformed not only the airplanes themselves, but the very meaning of what defines a “good” pilot and the skills necessary for the job. The ability to empathize and evaluate qualitatively are the “soft skills” necessary to work in a fast-paced, multi-crew environment. Having a growth mindset and education on emotional intelligence and unconscious bias are fundamental to genuine human factors training.
Industry leaders must create a safety culture rooted in psychological safety by creating a culture of inclusion and by viewing employees' authentic differences as strengths to the organization.
It's time for Human Factors 2.0 to boost workforce development and enhance safety throughout the industry.
Industry leaders must create a safety culture rooted in psychological safety by creating a culture of inclusion and by viewing employees' authentic differences as strengths to the organization.
It's time for Human Factors 2.0 to boost workforce development and enhance safety throughout the industry.
