Management and Operations Commons^™

Drone In Sight: Studying The Rates Of Uas Sightings Near Airports By Month, November 2019 To December 2024, Ethan Akers, James Hart Arnold, Travis Coleman, Vivek Sharma, Brooke Wheeler

Aeronautics Student Publications

A weak, decreasing trend was found in monthly UAS (also

known as Unmanned Aerial Vehicle or Drone) sightings near

airports (FAA, 2025), but it was not statistically significant.

There was a significant difference in UAS sightings by month of

the year between November 2019 and December 2024, with a

more sightings in summer months.

Analyzing The Drivers Of Airline Profitability, Brady Noble

Honors Theses

The commercial aviation industry, despite its transformative impact on global connection and economy, has historically struggled with consistent profitability. This thesis investigates the drivers of financial success within the airline industry, with a particular focus on the relationship between passenger load factors and profitability. Passenger load factors, defined as the percentage of available seats occupied by paying customers, have emerged as a key performance indicator, offering important insights into operational efficiency and revenue generation.

The study utilizes comprehensive data from the Bureau of Transportation Statistics, encompassing quarterly metrics on revenue, load factors, operating costs, and fuel prices from 2002 to …

Unleaded Aviation Fuel: Assessing Stakeholder Perceptions And Preparing An Organization For Change, Ryan Guthridge, Nicholas D. Wilson, Brandon Wild

Journal of Aviation Technology and Engineering

Since the Clean Air Act of 1996 banned the use of leaded fuel for automotive applications, leaded aviation gasoline (AVGAS) has become one of the leading sources of lead pollution in the nation due to the volume of AVGAS consumed in general aviation applications (GAMA, 2019). The Federal Aviation Administration has recently recognized this concern with the establishment of the Eliminate Aviation Gasoline Lead Emissions (EAGLE) initiative, which was formally established in February 2022 to foster an important campaign to research and inform the general aviation community on the process for transitioning to unleaded AVGAS. This essay seeks to inform …

U.S. Federal Aviation Administration Safety Management System Regulations: An Informal Policy Evaluation, Brian J. Roggow

Publications

The United States (US) Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) revised 14 CFR § Part 5 Safety Management Systems, effective May 28, 2024. US air carriers have one year to modify their existing Safety Management System (SMS), whereas commuter and on-demand operators, commercial air tour operators, certain production certificate holders, and certain holders of a type certificate must implement an SMS within three years. The sociopolitical and legal rule-making processes are complex. This research evaluates the most recently revised FAA SMS regulations through the lens of prevailing literature, theories, and standard practices. Policy assessments and evaluations by non-governmental stakeholders can further inform …

Aircraft Leasing And Its Effects On Ireland's Airline Sector, Aaron Christian, Jeanne Sumrall

SACAD: Scholarly Activities

The aircraft leasing industry sits at the heart of Ireland’s aviation sector, making Ireland the global leader in the business. The presence of major leasing companies’ headquarters, including Avolon, SMBC and AerCap, in Ireland, allows for country to benefit from these companies’ revenue. In return, Ireland provides the companies with supportive tax and regulatory frameworks that benefit the aviation sector. The research on this topic explores different ways aircraft leasing contributes to airline efficiency through cost reductions and fleet modernization while minimizing financial risks associated with aircraft acquisition by utilizing computer programs. Operational modeling has become an essential tool for …

An Overview Of Aeronautical Occurrences Related To Safety In Brazil And The United States, Diogo Carlos Rodrigues, Giuliano Gardolinski Venson, Odenir De Almeida

Journal of Aviation Technology and Engineering

This essay presents a comparative analysis of the aeronautical occurrences registered in Brazil and in the United States from 2012 to 2021. The study was carried out through several segmentations of the occurrences and the aircrafts involved. Statistical data from the websites of Brazil’s Center for Investigation and Prevention of Aeronautical Accidents and the US National Transportation Safety Board was used for the comparative analysis. The evolution of the number of aircraft registered in each country was evaluated, and although the number of aircraft in the United States is much higher than in Brazil, the US occurrence rate is lower. …

Beyond The Blue Skies: A Comprehensive Guide For Risk Assessment In Aviation, Leila Halawi, Mark Miller, Sam Holley

Publications

Risk assessment in aviation is a critical process that safeguards the safety and reliability of operations. Aviation operations encompass inherent risks, from mechanical failures to human errors and environmental factors. The significance of these risks may be severe, leading to accidents, injuries, and loss of life. Recognizing and mitigating risks is supreme in this dynamic environment, where emerging technologies and innovation constantly reshape this industry. This chapter includes an in-depth explanation of risk management and analysis, leading to the core elements of risk assessment specifically for aviation operations. We will describe the process and explore some of the applications and …

The Future Of Aviation: Becoming An Evtol Pilot – Faa’S New Regulations Open Up Career Opportunities, Sarah Nilsson

Publications

As the aviation industry stands on the brink of a revolutionary change, aspiring pilots are increasingly drawn to the exciting prospect of flying electric Vertical Takeoff and Landing (eVTOL) aircraft. The allure of this cutting-edge technology has many asking: “How does one become an eVTOL pilot in the United States?” This question opens up a cascade of inquiries about the future of flight training, the certification process and the transition for existing pilots into this new realm of aviation like:

• What will the flight training curriculum look like for eVTOL aircraft?

• Who will be the pioneering Certified Flight …

Trends In Wildlife Strikes To Aircraft In Brazil: Implications For Airport Operators, Flavio A. C. Mendonca, Chenyu Huang, Julius Keller, Carolina Anderson

Journal of Aviation Technology and Engineering

Purpose. Brazilian airport operators face persistent challenges from wildlife hazards to aircraft operations, necessitating the development and implementation or review of existing wildlife hazard management plans. Enhancing airport operators’ ability to allocate resources effectively requires a deeper understanding of past wildlife strikes. This study aimed to provide empirical insights derived from the analyses of wildlife strike and aircraft operations data in Brazil to support accident prevention endeavors.

Design/methodology. The researchers utilized two main datasets: the Brazilian National Wildlife Strike Database and the annual reports on aircraft traffic operations published by the Brazilian Department of Airspace Control. For this study, wildlife …

Identifying Individual Factors Which Impact Student Learning In A Desktop Flight Training Simulator, Tim Ryley, Guido Carim Junior, James Mcbroom, Elvira Marques, Chris Campbell, Nnenna Ike

Journal of Aviation/Aerospace Education & Research

With expected global growth in air transport demand and forecasted shortage of pilots, there is a need for faster and cheaper flight training. A range of protocols was used to assess factors such as student’s emotional state, adaptive performance, and situational awareness as possible predictors of flight performance based on the influence of these factors on student flight performance conducted using a Personal Computer-based Aviation Training Devices (PCATD). Factor analysis and regression models were used to identify how these factors related to student performance during a visual flight conducted using a desktop simulator and our findings demonstrated some influence of …

Consumer Preferences And Willingness To Pay For Vertiport Design, Amenities, And Services, David C. Ison

International Journal of Aviation, Aeronautics, and Aerospace

The rise of urban air mobility (UAM) and electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft necessitates the development of well-designed vertiports that align with consumer expectations. This study examines consumer preferences and willingness to pay (WTP) for vertiport design, amenities, and services to inform infrastructure planning and investment strategies. Using a survey-based quantitative research design, data were collected from 500 participants to assess key factors influencing WTP, including convenience, security measures, service efficiency, and premium offerings. Findings indicate that location accessibility, affordability, and streamlined security procedures are primary determinants of vertiport adoption. While aesthetic and retail enhancements contribute to passenger …

Analysis Of Public Acceptance Of Urban Air Mobility (Uam) Based On Air Travel Frequency, Seuggyun Jin, Kim O. Chambers

Journal of Aviation/Aerospace Education & Research

Urban Air Mobility (UAM) is an innovative air transportation system designed for efficient travel in urban and suburban areas, offering significant time saving compared to traditional ground transportation. However, concerns about UAM services, such as safety and noise, remain prominent. Understanding public acceptance of UAM is crucial to identifying potential customers and ensuring the sustainability of commercial UAM operations. This study utilizes an online survey from a total of 254 consumer attitudes on the scales of reliability, usefulness, behavioral intention, safety, and concerns to examine public acceptance of UAM based on people's air travel frequencies. Using a one-way ANOVA, the …

The State Of Uas Operations At Airports, A Perspective From Airport Managers, Damon Lercel, Sarah M. Hubbard

Journal of Aviation/Aerospace Education & Research

As the number of Uncrewed Aircraft Systems (UAS) operating in our National Airspace System (NAS) increases, so do UAS operations near or at an airport. The accelerating technology in Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) and related business opportunities will only further increase UAS operations at airports. This continued growth in new UAS technologies and applications introduces new hazards and risks to the airport environment. This proliferation of UAS highlights the importance of airports developing a robust Safety Management System (SMS) that includes specific UAS risk mitigations. There is currently little empirical data regarding UAS traffic around airports and there is no …

The Space Rescue Professional: Operationalizing Guardians For The Future, Benjamin Johnis, Robert Bettinger, James Dean

Faculty Publications

The escalating competition in space exploration demands a dedicated space rescue capability. This article argues for the establishment of a space rescue professional (SRP) career field within the Department of Defense and the US Space Force. By harnessing existing US Air Force combat rescue expertise and partnering with the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, the Space Force can rapidly develop a robust SRP program with the warrant officer corps as its backbone. This article addresses a critical gap in national space policy to outline a cost-effective dual-service training pipeline and SRP operational roles. Such an investment safeguards astronauts, bolsters US …

Suas Agricultural Aerial Application Operational Field Test, David Thirtyacre, Joseph Cerreta, Scott S. Burgess

International Journal of Aviation, Aeronautics, and Aerospace

One of the most promising uses of aerial applications by a sUAS is on small farms where traditional crewed aerial applicators were not practical due to the limited size of the operations. This controlled field test aimed to assess the feasibility and cost-effectiveness of using a sUAS spreading system compared to the traditional manual application of weed killer and fertilizer on cranberry bogs in Western Washington that were less than 10 acres. The aerial application took place over two separate days as scheduled by the farmer for maximum product efficiency. A total of sixty-three flights were necessary to apply the …

Innovative Bird Strike Mitigation Strategies: Integrating Drones And Cutting-Edge Technologies To Enhance Airport Safety, Abdellah Hanine, Abdellah Elbarkany

International Journal of Aviation, Aeronautics, and Aerospace

Notwithstanding significant efforts to reduce the risk of bird strikes at and around airports, as well as advancements in technology, aviation safety continues to be threatened by this hazard. Our study of recent data shows a clear historical increase in accidents, therefore underscoring the flaws in present technologies. Although among the technologies in common use are radar, drones, cameras, and acoustic approaches, they are not always able to completely meet the challenging needs of bird strike risk mitigation. This approach creatively blends these four fundamental technologies by means of enhanced real-time data processing and targeted drone deployment. While providing more …

Navigating The Safety-Regulation Gap: Unraveling Systemic Challenges In Aviation Through Historical Accidents Analysis, Joshua Jackson

The Journal of Purdue Undergraduate Research

No abstract provided.

Air Supremacy, The Enabler Of Close Air Support Operations – An Evaluation Of Past, Present, And Future Air Campaigns., Owen Topolnicki

Senior Honors Theses

The achievement of gaining aerial supremacy, or lack thereof, is the hinge upon which Close Air Support (CAS) swings. The attainment of it enables CAS specialist aircraft, not unlike the Ju-87 Stuka or A-10 Thunderbolt II, to be exceptionally effective in their operating environment. While the lack of it, forces aircrews to pioneer new solutions either in the form of multi-role aircraft (capable of self-defense), or other innovative solutions similar to unmanned aerial systems (UAS’s), as aptly seen in the ongoing Russo-Ukrainian conflict. Thus, the ability of an air force to gain air supremacy and to do so quickly, …

Determining The Difference In Monthly Hazardous Uas Sightings Pre- And Post-Trust​, Jacob Daniel Anderson, Kyle Beane, Ethan Ryan Prins, Brooke Wheeler

Aeronautics Student Publications

Unmanned Aerial Systems (UASs) present a significant challenge to regulators. This study determined that there was no statistically significant difference in monthly UAS sightings before and after the implementation of TRUST.

Surely You Can’T Be Serious: A Student’S Guide For Flight School Closure, Aidan Mcglasson, Sarah Nilsson

Publications

Flying aircraft, whether at a general aviation, commercial, or military level, is deeply engrained in American culture. Opinion polls place being a professional pilot as one of the most respected, and prestigious jobs in the country (Mushtaque, 2023). As evidenced by the popularity of movies such as Airplane!, Top Gun, or Sully, flying is something that fascinates many people. Perhaps contributing to its mystique is the difficulty and expense in obtaining the necessary training and certifications to be a pilot. Some people undergo flight training with the goal of flying commercially, as an airline or corporate pilot, while others do …