Engineering Commons^™

Assessing Situation Awareness In Unmanned Aircraft Systems Operations, Haydee M. Cuevas, Marisa Aguiar

International Journal of Aviation, Aeronautics, and Aerospace

The objective of this study was to investigate the potential utility of the Situation Awareness Linked Indicators Adapted to Novel Tasks (SALIANT) methodology as an assessment tool in unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) operations. Eighteen participants completed a UAS scenario (port security) as part of nine two-person crews (pilot and sensor operator). Subject matter experts mapped the naturally occurring team behaviors in the UAS scenario to create a SALIANT checklist, which was then used to rate participants’ SA. Results showed the SALIANT methodology was able to discriminate differences in SA behaviors among the UAS crews. Results also revealed significant correlations between …

An Evaluation Of The Relationships Between Collegiate Aviation Safety Management System Initiative, Self-Efficacy, Transformational Safety Leadership And Safety Behavior Mediated By Safety Motivation, Daniel Kwasi Adjekum

International Journal of Aviation, Aeronautics, and Aerospace

The study conceptualized Safety Management System (SMS) initiative, self-efficacy, and transformational safety leadership as constructs that relates to safety behavior (measured by safety compliance and safety participation) when mediated by safety motivation using a quantitative approach. Structural equation modeling techniques was used to derive a final measurement model that fit the empirical data and was used to test the study hypotheses. Utilizing a sample of 282 collegiate flight students and instructors from a large public university in the US, a 46-item survey was used to measure respondent’s perceptions on the study variables. The results indicate that perceptions of SMS policy …

Opening Autonomous Airspace–A Prologue, Samuel M. Vance

International Journal of Aviation, Aeronautics, and Aerospace

The proliferation of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV), and in particular small Unmanned Aerial Systems (sUAS), has significant operational implications for the Air Traffic Control (ATC) system of the future. Integrating unmanned aircraft safely presents long-standing challenges, especially during the lengthy transition period when unmanned vehicles will be mixed with piloted vehicles. Integration of dissimilar systems is not an easy, straight-forward task and in this case is complicated by the difficulty to truly know what is present in the airspace. Additionally, there are significant technology, security and liability issues that will need resolution to ensure property and life are protected and …

Integration Of Military Unmanned Aerial Systems (Uas) Into The Us National Airspace System: The Relationship Between Uas Accidents And Safety Concerns, Omar J. Hamilton, Timm J. Bliss, Chad Depperschmidt

International Journal of Aviation, Aeronautics, and Aerospace

The purpose of this study was to discover if a relationship existed between the most common safety concerns and the most common UAS accidents with regards to the integration of military unmanned aerial systems (UAS) into the National Airspace System (NAS). This study examined the most common causes of UAS accidents over a five-year period, the level of safety concerns and common concerns from UAS military pilots and sensor operators. The quantitative data was derived from the Air Force, Navy and Army Safety Offices, while the qualitative data was derived from an online questionnaire and follow-up interviews of US Air …

Investigation Into Unmanned Aircraft System Incidents In The National Airspace System, Rohan S. Sharma

International Journal of Aviation, Aeronautics, and Aerospace

With the promulgation of Federal Aviation Regulations for small unmanned aircraft systems, the volume of unmanned flight operations is expected to increase, which demands an analysis of potential hazards to the National Airspace System. Descriptive statistics were used to investigate reports archived in the Aviation Safety Information and Analysis and Sharing system involving unmanned aircraft systems, as well as the FAA UAS Sightings Reports database. The frequency of reports involving airspace violations, and Near Mid-air Collisions by unmanned aircraft systems as well as an analysis of the location, sponsor category, phase of flight, altitude, and airspace type in which the …

Seeing The Threat: Pilot Visual Detection Of Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems In Visual Meteorological Conditions, Jon M. Loffi, Ryan J. Wallace, Jamey D. Jacob, Jared C. Dunlap

International Journal of Aviation, Aeronautics, and Aerospace

One key challenge of integrating Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) platforms into the National Airspace System (NAS) is the potential for midair collisions between manned aircraft and the unmanned system. The lack of an established UAS benchmark for Detect, Sense & Avoid Systems put the preponderance of avoidance efforts on manned aircraft pilots to visually see and avoid potential collision threats. The small size, unusual configurations, and diverse operational applications of unmanned systems make UAS platforms difficult to visually identify. This paper sought to determine the mean visibility distance of small UAS systems (sUAS) to an alerted pilot flying a general …

Position Paper: Safety Culture: Why The Faa Should Consider Adapting The Wings Pilot Proficiency Program As A Method Of Remote Pilot Recertification, Ryan J. Wallace

International Journal of Aviation, Aeronautics, and Aerospace

The FAA’s release of 14 CFR 107 establishes a new Remote Pilot certification for operation of small unmanned aircraft system (UAS) platforms. Remote Pilot privileges are valid for two years, during which the operator must complete a recurrent aeronautical knowledge test covering the seven topical areas of knowledge identified by 14 CFR 107.73(b). While the existing recertification methods allow for validation of remote pilot knowledge, they fail to engage this new group of aviators in establishing positive safety culture. The author proposes the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) adapt the existing framework for the WINGS Pilot Proficiency Program to offer regular …

A Model Of Human Harm From A Falling Unmanned Aircraft: Implications For Uas Regulation, Andrew V. Shelley

International Journal of Aviation, Aeronautics, and Aerospace

This paper quantifies the human harm, in the form of fatalities and skull fractures, which could occur as a result of an unmanned aircraft falling from a height. The analysis is used to establish the maximum height at which an unmanned aircraft can be flown over people to achieve a level of safety consistent with the rate of ground fatalities from General Aviation. The maximum height is dependent on the aircraft mass and the population density of people on the ground below.

The results are used to inform a critical evaluation of recent recommendations from the FAA-chartered “Unmanned Aircraft Systems …

Quantifying The Effects Of Humidity On Density Altitude Calculations For Professional Aviation Education, Thomas A. Guinn, Randell J. Barry

International Journal of Aviation, Aeronautics, and Aerospace

The effects of humidity on density altitude are quantified in detail and graphically represented as a function of temperature and dew-point temperature for ease of use in professional aviation education. A ten-year climatology of dew-point temperatures for various representative locations throughout the United States is created to provide a basis for comparison and use with the graphical displays. Density altitude is demonstrated to be a function only of dew-point temperature for a given pressure altitude. The absolute errors between density altitude calculations that incorporate humidity to those that do not are combined with linear regression techniques to create a simple …

Peer Reviewed Safety Management System (Sms): Collaboration For Continuous Improvement (Literature Review), Michael F. Canders Ph.D. Cfii

International Journal of Aviation, Aeronautics, and Aerospace

Safe operations are essential for organizational success, perhaps no more so than in aviation. A culture of safety can be a leading contributor to an aviation organization’s success but developing such a culture and maintaining it can be very challenging. Collegiate aviation programs provide an exceptional opportunity to teach essential safety culture components to new aviators. A Safety Management System (SMS) is an effective framework to present and reinforce key safety principles and can be effectively tailored for the collegiate aviation flight training environment. Some aviation colleges may have developed a safety program or SMS but sharing and benchmarking the …

Pilot Perceptions On Impact Of Crew Rest Regulations On Safety And Fatigue, Lukas Rudari, Mary E. Johnson, Robert C. Geske, Lauren A. Sperlak

International Journal of Aviation, Aeronautics, and Aerospace

The risk of fatigue on pilot performance and safety is well recognized in aviation. In response to increased safety concerns, the Federal Aviation Administration addressed fatigue risk for passenger airline pilots in Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 117, which included accommodations to address fatigue related risk-factors such as circadian rhythm and the phenomenon commonly described as jet-lag. The rule became effective in January 2014. A survey was conducted in March and April of 2014 to better understand pilot perceptions of the new Part 117 rule. This study analyzed survey responses from 92 self-identified pilots to determine the effect …

Aviation Bird Hazard In Nexrad Dual Polarization Weather Radar Confirmed By Visual Observations, Bradley M. Muller, Frederick R. Mosher, Christopher G. Herbster, Anthony T. Brickhouse

International Journal of Aviation, Aeronautics, and Aerospace

Birds represent a significant hazard to flying aircraft as illustrated by the “Miracle on the Hudson” encounter in 2009 between U.S. Airways Flight 1549 and a flock of Canada Geese, forcing the flight to ditch in the river. Birds are common in the skies over Florida during the spring migration season, and often appear in the National Weather Service’s (NWS) NEXRAD weather radar imagery as an easily recognizable signature known as a “roost ring.” This paper presents a NEXRAD roost ring case in central Florida in a rare instance where the signatures were confirmed by visual observations of the birds. …

Examining How Breakdowns In Pilot Monitoring Of The Aircraft Flight Path, Robert Sumwalt, David Cross, Dennis Lessard

International Journal of Aviation, Aeronautics, and Aerospace

Aircraft accident and incident data reveal that serious safety consequences can arise when flight crewmembers fail to properly monitor the aircraft flight path. This research study reviewed human factors literature to better understand why pilots fail to properly monitor, and analyzed accident and incident data. Recommendations for improving monitoring performance were formulated, which may be useful to air carriers in implementing a new Federal Aviation Administration requirement that calls for specific training in monitoring.

Numerical Model Derived Altimeter Correction Maps For Non-Standard Atmospheric Temperature And Pressure, Thomas A. Guinn, Frederick R. Mosher

International Journal of Aviation, Aeronautics, and Aerospace

Altimeter corrections for non-standard temperature pose a challenge because accurate calculations require detailed knowledge of the temperature structure of the atmosphere between the surface and the aircraft. By applying basic hypsometric formulae to high resolution numerical model temperature and moisture output, detailed maps of current and forecasted corrected D-values are created. Corrected D-values provide the altitude difference between the true altitude and the indicated altitude from a pressure altimeter. Unlike standard D-values, the corrected D-value corrects for non-standard pressure in addition to non-standard temperature and is therefore useful for flights below class A airspace. Maps of corrected D-value may help …

Regional Aviation Early Career Pilot Attributes Study, Stewart Wayne Schreckengast, Douglas A. Drury

International Journal of Aviation, Aeronautics, and Aerospace

The Regional Aviation Association of Australia (RAAA) has identified a need to better understand the concerns of its members in the attraction and retention of early career pilots. RAAA has further identified the need to better understand any shortcomings in professional aviation training programs in Australia so as to provide appropriate guidance from an industry point of view. The RAAA Training and Education Committee (TEC) facilitated the undertaking of this study with its members. This study provides insight into the technical and non-technical attributes that aviation manager’s value in early career pilots.

Risk Perception In Aviation Students: Weather Matters, Ric Ferraro Phd, Darci Vandyke, Mary Zander, Krista Anderson, Bethany Kuehlen

International Journal of Aviation, Aeronautics, and Aerospace

Sixty-three aviation major students and 71 non-aviation major students participated in an experiment concerning aviation experience and risk perception (Risk Perception Scale, RPS; Hunter, 2002). Non-aviation students rated three of the RPS risk scenarios (P2Fly, P2Life, P2 Base) as having higher perceived risk than aviation students with the exception of the weather risk scenarios (P2WX). Aviation students perceived the P2WX scenarios to be significantly more risky. These results have implications for how future pilots perceive risk.