Aviation Commons^™

Airport Security Checkpoint Screener: An Analytical Study Of Job Retention And Attrition Factors, Norman Mark St. Laurent

Master's Theses - Daytona Beach

The proposed research seeks to identify the factors contributing to job retention and job attrition in terms of why an airport security checkpoint screener would try or want to stay on the job or leave the job. By identifying the causes of employee satisfaction and dissatisfaction, and by understanding the integral components of employee turnover can develop appropriate interventions that curb existing retention problems (exceeding 70% annually in most facilities). Aside from the obvious costs affiliated with recruiting, selecting, and training replacement employees, there is likely to be a detrimental impact on the effectiveness of airline passenger screening when a …

The Effects Of The Proposed Larger Aircraft On Airport Capacity In The United States, Kerwin S. Mckenzie

Master's Theses - Daytona Beach

The problem of airport capacity is one that has been around for some time. With air travel projected to increase into the year 2000, Airbus Industrie, Boeing Corporation and McDonnell Douglas are making plans or are in the process of building large transports. Airbus has built the A340/A330 and is planning the now named A3XX, a 600 plus seater. Boeing is currently flying the 747-400 which holds up to 570 passengers. In addition, Boeing rolled out the 777 in June 1994, which holds up to 550 passengers. Douglas is planning the MD-12 with a 700 plus passenger load. The purpose …

Airbus A320/321 Quick Change Market Analysis - A Case Study, Till Christian Mommsen

Master's Theses - Daytona Beach

The purpose of this thesis is to evaluate and compare the Boeing B737 QC to the Airbus A320/321 QC aircraft, and to determine their relative market within a sample airline. The technical design of the two Airbus aircraft in a mixed QC operation were considered with respect to the requirements of a particular airline. Direct operating costs and payload range data for all three aircraft were calculated.

To evaluate the competitiveness of the A320/321 QC under actual conditions, a linear programming fleet planning model was developed that considers more than the direct operating costs of a particular aircraft. The cost …

Life Cycle Costs Of Alternatives For F-16 Printed Circuit Board Diagnosis Equipment, Kent R. Montgomery, Clifford B. Thorstenson

Theses and Dissertations

This study analyzes two alternatives for printed circuit board (PCB) diagnosis for the F-16 depot PCB repair shop from a life cycle cost (LCC) perspective. Alternative 1 assumes the use of the current F-16 automatic test equipment (ATE) while Alternative 2 augments the current ATE with infrared imaging test equipment. Infrared imaging is a developed technology that is currently available to the Air Force in a commercial-off-the-shelf (COTS) form. Using the Cost Analysis and Strategy Assessment (CASA) Life Cycle Cost (LCC) Model and data from the DL41 database on F-16 PCBs this study determined that over the current expected life …

A Quantitative Feedback Theory Fcs Design For The Subsonic Envelope Of The Vista F-16 Including Configuration Variation, Scott N. Phillips

Theses and Dissertations

An aircraft's response to control inputs varies widely throughout its flight envelope. The aircraft configuration also impacts control response through variations in center of gravity and moments of inertia. Designing a flight control system (FCS) to accommodate the full flight envelope and configuration set of an aircraft is clearly a complex undertaking. Quantitative feedback theory (QFT) is a design tool which enables the engineer to attack this task in an efficient way. Although QFT is a robust control design technique, it is an interactive algorithm allowing the engineer full control over compensator order and gain. In this research effort, a …

An Improved Heuristic For Intercontinental Ballistic Missile Crew Scheduling, Michael D. Shirley Jr.

Theses and Dissertations

Creating monthly schedules for missile crews is a complex and time-consuming problem. Thousands of events must be scheduled for several hundred missile officers. The rules and regulations governing the problem are numerous, and there are currently no established measures for missile crew schedules. The scheduling software currently available only schedules a fraction of the events. The objectives of this research were to create a rule-based heuristic which could quickly produce feasible or near-feasible schedules, to make the scheduling process paperless, and to develop possible measures of effectiveness for missile crew schedules. The research was successful in each of these areas. …

Artificially Intelligent Air Combat Simulation Agents, Daniel E. Gisselquist

Theses and Dissertations

The Advanced Research Projects Agency (ARPA), in an effort to improve military simulations, has proposed a standard for Distributed Interactive Simulation (DIS). This network protocol will allow dissimilar applications to communicate simulation information. In the field of air combat, this will allow pilots in remote simulators to fly in a common simulation. The success of this standard is dependent on applications being able to work within that standard, as well as a large variety of Computer Generated Forces (CGFs) to complement interactive forces. CGFs are needed to help simulate the large combat scenarios that can only occur in wartime. By …

The Photo-Realistic Afit Virtual Cockpit, Milton E. Diaz

Theses and Dissertations

The Air Force Institute of Technology (AFIT) has pursued research in virtual environments since 1988. This research expands the current capabilities of the AFIT Virtual Cockpit (VC) by increasing the realism of the cockpit environment and improving the pilot's command interface. Realism is improved creating console elements from texture maps and polygonal models; these elements include working dials, switches and circuit breakers. The pilot command interface is improved in part by adapting the AFIT Information Pod using a two-dimensional mouse input to the virtual three-dimensional environment. This immersive virtual environment is also improved by modifications to the Head Mounted Display …

The Professional Air Traffic Controllers Strike: A Retrospective Analysis, Steven E. Durnin

Master's Theses - Daytona Beach

The purpose of this study was to assess the opinions, beliefs, and perspectives of former air traffic controllers who were terminated from employment with the Federal Aviation Administration for participating in the Professional Air Traffic Controllers Organization (PATCO) strike of 1981. The study examines the perceptions of the former controllers to determine their feelings toward the justification for going on strike over 13 years ago. This is relevant in light of recent events including the lifting of the ban against rehiring PATCO controllers by the Clinton Administration.

The data collected for this study were obtained with an opinionnaire mailed via …

Bulletin - Fall, 1994, Civil Aviation Medical Association

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A sixteen page newsletter of the Civil Aviation Medical Association. The newsletter provided news about civil aviation medicine and information related to the organization.

An Econometric Analysis Of The Canada - Florida Air Passenger Market, Craig W. Poteet

Master's Theses - Daytona Beach

This thesis evaluates the Canada - Florida commercial air passenger market and explains fluctuations in the demand for air passenger service based on an econometric modeling process. Canada - Florida commercial air passenger traffic is segmented into those passengers flying on scheduled air services and those travelling on chartered air services. Two separate multiple regression equations are constructed to address the two segments of the Canada - Florida market. Both equations are formulated utilizing the same three independent variables. It was expected that the three chosen independent variables, Canadian GDP, a ratio of chartered air fare levels by scheduled air …

Quality Improvement Analysis Of The Air Force Aircraft Maintenance And Munitions Officers Course, Jeffrey T. Acred, James R. Witter

Theses and Dissertations

Previous research concerning aircraft maintenance officer training focused on the content of the training curriculum of the Aircraft Maintenance and Munitions Officers Course AMMOC. Conversely, this study sought improvement in aircraft maintenance officer training by evaluating the guidance and support provided to AMMOC. Two methods were employed for identifying such opportunities. First, a descriptive model of the training system supporting AMMOC was developed and analyzed. Second, feedback was solicited from AMMOC instructors through the use of a two-round Delphi. The Delphi was employed to develop a consensus among the instructors regarding what improvement opportunities existed and potential means for taking …

An Analysis Of The Effect Of Personnel Drawdown Initiatives On Aircrew Experience, Keith L. Hedgepeth, Lennie J. Simpson

Theses and Dissertations

This study analyzes the effects of personnel reduction initiatives on aircrew experience levels of Air Force pilots and navigators. Four key measures of experience were defined, including total flight hours, flying hours in Primary Assigned Aircraft PAA, total hours at time of upgrade to instructor, and total PAA hours at time of upgrade to instructor. Three objectives were established for this study. These objectives measured the degree of change in overall aircrew experience for pilots and navigators in six major weapon systems, to determine if changes in aircrew experience varied by weapon system, and if changes in aircrew experience varied …

Logistics Control Facility: A Normative Model For Total Asset Visibility In The Air Force Logistics System, Eric C. Lorraine, Michael E. Michno

Theses and Dissertations

Computer simulation was used to evaluate the impact of a Logistics Control Facility LCF with a Total Asset Visibility TAV system on the AF logistics systems ability to support a weapon system. For this study, the B-1B was chosen as the weapon system of interest. Two performance measures, expected fully mission capable rates and expected pipeline quantities, were used to evaluate the simulation results. Two-sample tests were used to compare the current logistics configuration of the B-1B with the same configuration, but with an LCF controlling the movement of assets. The expected FMC rate performance measure showed significant results while …

Benchmarking Customer Service Practices Of Air Cargo Carriers: A Case Study Approach, Patrick D. Lozon, Michael B. Mcdaniel

Theses and Dissertations

This study used the benchmarking process incorporated in a case study approach to determine what the Air Force could learn from the commercial air cargo carriers in regard to customer service practices. The air cargo industry leaders were determined through a previous study to be United Parcel Service, Federal Express, Emery Air Freight, Airborne Freight, DHL Airways, and Burlington Air Express. In addition, the 437th Aerial Port Squadron APS at Charleston AFB South Carolina was the Air Force representative in the benchmarking study. Interviews with air cargo managers were conducted at each carrier’s main hub and at Charleston AFB. The …

Organic Maintenance Performance Measurement: A New Approach, John S. Nehr, William G. Queener

Theses and Dissertations

The growing role of Air Force Air Logistics Centers ALC in complex, multiyear developmental programs increases the need for effective cost and schedule performance measurement. In order to effectively manage these activities, timely and accurate cost and schedule information must be collected and compared with an established baseline. The ALCs need a new management technique which facilitates this type of performance measurement. A proven approach to cost and schedule performance measurement in weapon system acquisitions is Earned Value EV. This approach, required of contractors who are subjected to the CostSchedule Control Systems Criteria CSCSC, allows the program manager to obtain …

Developing A Template For Logistics Test And Evaluation, Timothy J. Fennell, Jason S. Mogle

Theses and Dissertations

Logistics test and evaluation, performed during the developmental test and evaluation effort, is an integral part of the aircraft acquisition process. However, there has been no standard approach to conducting logistics test and evaluation. This study researched past and present approaches to aircraft logistics test and evaluation to determine the most effective method for future programs. We conducted this study using the Delphi method. We solicited the expert opinions of 32 individuals from the logistics test and evaluation field using two rounds of questions. We then statistically analyzed the data to ultimately develop a logistics test and evaluation template. We …

A Maintenance Manpower Study Of The Composite Wing At Mountain Home Afb, Stella T. Smith, Cristina C. Vilella

Theses and Dissertations

In response to changes in threats, the Air Force has reorganized several flying units into composite wings. They are intended to provide a flexible, rapid deployment force. This study focused on the impact of the composite wing organizational structure on the determination of maintenance manpower authorizations at Mountain Home AFB, the Air Forces first air intervention wing. An opinion survey of maintenance and manpower experts was used to identify factors that are important in the determination of maintenance manpower authorization levels. Statistical analysis identified important-factors and indicated differences in opinion between maintenance and manpower specialists. Factors specific to the composite …

A Requirements Analysis For An Integrated Maintenance Information System Application Into Theater Air Control System Maintenance, Morris C. Blumenthal Iii, Stephen W. Starks

Theses and Dissertations

This research was to determine to what extent Integrated Maintenance Information System IMIS functional requirements could satisfy the maintenance information requirements of the ground-based Theater Air Control System. IMIS is a program sponsored by Armstrong Laboratory at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio to automate maintenance information. To date, Armstrong Laboratory has only targeted aircraft maintenance for this automated program. The Theater Air Control System contains powerful military radars connected to a mobile communications and computer network. Theater Air Control System maintenance information requirements were identified through a study of the 728th Air Control Squadron at Eglin Air Force Base, Florida, …

A Simulation Study Of Pilots' Ability To Perceive Angular Motion Under The Influence Of Alcohol, Wali N. Mughni

Master's Theses - Daytona Beach

The study consisted of experimental research to determine the effect of alcohol on the pilots’ ability to perceive angular motion. It was hypothesized that in the absence of visual cues, pilots’ thresholds of perceiving a change in angular motion is adversely affected by alcohol in the blood, thereby increasing the potential to enter a state of spatial disorientation. The experiments were designed to simulate a real time in-flight scenario, in a rotating flight simulator, where angular accelerations could be controlled and pilots’ thresholds of perceiving a change in angular motion could be measured. The study revealed that the subjects registered …

Bulletin - Summer, 1994, Civil Aviation Medical Association

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A sixteen page newsletter of the Civil Aviation Medical Association. The newsletter provided news about civil aviation medicine and information related to the organization.

Mandatory Certification Of Aviation Line Service Technicians: A Question Of Formal Or Informal Training, Jeffrey S. Lewis

Master's Theses - Daytona Beach

Accidents and incidents are created by improperly trained aviation line service technicians. To reduce accidents and incidents associated with improperly trained line service personnel, a mandatory certification plan should be developed. This study utilized the procedures established for the descriptive research method. The researcher gathered data with a self constructed questionnaire, from 72 separate sources of the 120 solicited. All relevant data was analyzed to decide if the research hypothesis could be accepted. The researcher anticipated that statistical evidence would support the research hypothesis, that structured formal training procedures would reveal a significant reduction in the number of accidents and …

The Effects Of Male-Based Anthropometric Cockpit Designs On Self-Reported Female Aircrew Accommodation, Edith Marie-Anntoinette Dylewska

Master's Theses - Daytona Beach

The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of male-based anthropometric cockpit designs on self-reported female aircrew accommodation. A descriptive survey research method was used to collect the required data. The instrument utilized was a self-developed questionnaire/opinionnaire. It contained both Likert-type and open-ended questions. The 153 subjects were selected from the population of active, civil, female pilots in the United States of America, who hold a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Airline Transport Pilot (ATP) Certificate. The responses provided to the Likert questions were analyzed using a goodness-of-fit statistical method. The data collected did not support the research hypothesis …

Satellite Data Communications Link Requirements For A Proposed Flight Simulation System, Gerald M. Kowalski

Master's Theses - Daytona Beach

The purpose of this study was to investigate the requirements necessary for data and voice communication via satellite, linking Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University (ERAU) and other flight training facilities. The proposed research was conducted following a descriptive method of collecting information, generating and analyzing data, and listing the results for the proposed link requirements. The current fiber-optic communications link at ERAU in Daytona Beach was presented to establish a general foundation of communications. Research was done into methods used by satellite common carriers for realistic data and calculations. A proposed data link to connect flight simulators at the ERAU Prescott campus …

Bulletin - Spring, 1994, Civil Aviation Medical Association

Browse all Civil Aviation Medical Association Newsletters

A sixteen page newsletter of the Civil Aviation Medical Association. The newsletter provided news about civil aviation medicine and information related to the organization.

Upon Closer Inspection...U.S. Naval Aviation Mishaps 1977-1992, Scott A. Shappell, Douglas A. Wiegmann

Publications

The U.S. Navy/Marine Corps Class A flight/flight-related mishap rate has declined markedly since 1953. However, analysis of all Class A, B, and C naval aviation mishaps between January 1977 and December 1992 reveals that mishaps attributable to human factors have declined at a slower rate than those attributable to mechanical/environmental factors. Upon closer inspection of the data, marked differences were evident between single-piloted and dual-piloted aircraft. Global trends were primarily a function of single-piloted aircraft, particularly when phase of flight and time of day that a mishap occurred are considered. Previously reported improvement in aviation safety may be biased by …

The Prediction Of Pilot Opinion Ratings Using Optimal And Sub-Optimal Pilot Models, Craig R. Edkins

Theses and Dissertations

This study details the development of a sub-optimal pilot model that blended the classical and optimal pilot model approaches in an attempt to achieve the advantages of each. This model used a numerical solution to the linear quadratic Gaussian problem to find the pilot gain, lead, and lag values that minimized a performance index consisting of task error and control usage. This development was conducted in four phases. First, an optimal pilot model developed by Systems Technology, Incorporated, was analyzed in detail. This analysis included a step-by-step example problem to clarify the model's logic and an in-depth sensitivity analysis of …

Feasibility Analysis For Predicting A Kinetic Kill Zone For Aircraft Homing Missile Defense, Mark E. Ennis

Theses and Dissertations

An extended Kalman filter is used to predict a kinetic kill zone for use in aircraft self defense versus homing missiles. The analysis is limited to an in-the-plane analysis and focuses on finding the model parameters which have the largest impact on the predicted kill zone. No attempt is made to optimize the design of the filter model itself. The analysis computes the kill zone relative to an assumed aircraft trajectory using strictly filter computed statistics. No Monte-Carlo simulations are used throughout the thesis. The filter assumed to be on the evading aircraft, uses an onboard laser radar (ladar) to …

A Mean Value Analysis Heuristic For Analysis Of Aircraft Sortie Generation, Richard C. Jenkins

Theses and Dissertations

The primary objective of this study was to develop an analytical methodology based on the Mean Value Analysis algorithm that approximates the performance characteristics of a queueing network model QNM containing a fork- join queue with probabilistic branching. These performance characteristics are response time, throughput and queue length at each station. The QNM solved contains the essential features of the aircraft sortie generation process. The sensitivity of the methods accuracy to increases in server utilization was determined. The comparisons of the results of the MVA heuristic to the outputs of the Logistics Composite Model LCOM simulation indicate that the heuristics …

Bulletin - Winter, 1994, Civil Aviation Medical Association

Browse all Civil Aviation Medical Association Newsletters

A 24 page newsletter of the Civil Aviation Medical Association. The newsletter provided news about civil aviation medicine and information related to the organization.