Aviation Commons^™

Comparative Analysis Of Loss Of Control Definitions, Owen D. Poborsky

Journal of Aviation Technology and Engineering

“Loss of control” (LOC) is a broad term in aviation used to describe an event or series of events that resulted in an accident or incident of an aircraft. Many definitions of LOC exist for aircraft while maneuvering on the ground and in the air. The purpose of this study is to synthesize the numerous LOC definitions found in the literature and from government and rulemaking organizations to better understand the importance of airspeed awareness as it relates to LOC events at low altitudes. Furthermore, emphasis shall be placed specifically on flight training within general aviation, as significant LOC statistical …

E-Taxi Technology: Assessing Operational Benefits And Sustainability In Modern Aviation, Arthur C. Dela Peña

Journal of Aviation Technology and Engineering

This study evaluates the operational benefits and sustainability impacts of electrically driven landing gear systems (e-taxi technology) in the aviation industry, focusing on the Philippine context. The objective was to assess improvements in fuel savings, emissions reductions, and maintenance costs associated with e-taxi systems. Using a mixed-methods approach, data were collected through interviews with airline operators, and secondary data were collected from industry reports. Results showed that e-taxi systems reduced taxiing time by 15–22%, fuel consumption by 150–180 kg per flight, and engine wear by 10–14%. Carbon emissions were reduced by 472–566 kg per flight, while noise levels decreased by …

The Dpe Shortage And How To Fix It, Paul Dye

Honors Theses

The following content delves into the current issues surrounding the FAA’s designated pilot examiner (DPE) system, which, while functional, is increasingly strained by growing demand and outdated policies. Through firsthand experience, survey data, and analysis of current practices, the paper emphasizes some of the most pressing problems, including scheduling inefficiencies, inconsistent examiner expectations, manual eligibility checks despite the widespread use of digital logbooks, and a lack of meaningful oversight or feedback mechanisms for both DPEs and CFIs.

A major focus is the outdated scheduling process, which remains largely decentralized and prone to double-booking, cancellations, and long wait times, especially for …

From Tarmac To Timetable: A Data-Driven Study Of Airline Delay Performance In Nigeria, Kelechi V. Iwuagwu

Dissertations, Theses, and Capstone Projects

This capstone project investigates the patterns, causes, and impacts of flight delays in the Nigerian aviation sector from January 2024 to January 2025. Utilizing a dataset containing flight details—including scheduled and actual departure/arrival times, routes, and airline information—the study employs advanced data analytics and visualization techniques to uncover critical insights. The research highlights discrepancies between scheduled and actual flight performance, identifies delay patterns across airlines and timeframes, and explores the ripple effects of delays on subsequent flights.

Furthermore, Nigerian passengers frequently express frustrations over flight delays, cancellations, and poor communication from airlines, yet no publicly available data systematically documents these …

A Causal-Comparative Study Between The Aeronautical Decision-Making Skills Of Collegiately And Non-Collegiately Trained Private Pilots, Karl P. Winters

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this quantitative causal-comparative design study was to examine the relationship between private pilots’ flight training background (collegiate or non-collegiate) and aeronautical decision-making (ADM) skills among recently certificated private pilots enrolled in a commercial pilot flight training course at a Part 141 flight training program in a large, private, mid-Atlantic university. The problem is that although deficient ADM is a known major contributor to fatal general aviation (GA) accidents, it is unknown if there is a difference in the ADM skills of collegiately and non-collegiately trained private pilots. This study, built on the framework of dual-process theory and …

Leveraging Artificial Intelligence In Education To Drive Cross-Sector Innovation, Brent Terwilliger, John Faraca

Publications

As artificial intelligence (AI) reshapes educational practices, particularly in technical fields such as uncrewed systems, robotics, and aviation/ aerospace, its integration raises promise and complexity. This exploratory study features an investigation of the impact AI tools adoption has on instruction, curriculum support, and workforce preparation, with a focus on online learning environments. Drawing from pilot survey data across aviation and aerospace education stakeholders and hands-on evaluation of AI video production platforms, findings reveal diverse applications, perceived benefits, and critical concerns, including ethical, pedagogical, and institutional challenges. Additionally, the analysis explored how AI-enabled education intersects with broader industry and government innovation …

Essential Components For A Uas Standard Operating Procedure Manual For State Departments Of Transportation, Nurudeen Segun Lawal

All Theses

The integration of Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) within state Departments of Transportation (DOTs) has become increasingly essential for improving efficiency, safety, and regulatory compliance in transportation operations. However, the lack of a standardized approach to UAS program management has resulted in variability in policies, procedures, and implementation strategies across state agencies. This study examines how state DOTs incorporate the Association of Unscrewed Vehicle Systems International (AUVSI) Organizational Implementation Guide (OIG) 35 essential components into their UAS Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and identifies 13 additional components that address agency-specific operational, regulatory, and administrative needs. Through an analysis of publicly available SOPs …

Aircraft Water And Waste Systems Curriculum Alignment For Updated Airmen Certificate Standards (Acs), Myles Miller

All Graduate Reports and Creative Projects, Fall 2023 to Present

The purpose of this project was to create a curriculum that aligns with the updated Airmen Certificate Standards (ACS) related to aircraft water and waste systems. The curriculum was designed to align with the FAA standards outlined in the ACS section II. Airframe Subject O. Water and Waste Systems. The curriculum includes components, operation, inspection, and servicing requirements for potable water and lavatory waste systems. The curriculum should equip students with the ability to identify, assess, and mitigate risks associated with lavatory waste systems, and the ability to locate and explain the procedures for servicing water and waste systems. The …

An Msbe–Driven Advanced Air Mobility Post–Disaster Response System, Olabode A. Olanipekun

Graduate Theses and Dissertations (2019 - present)

In this work, an overarching conceptual design model towards the realization of a proposed Advanced Air Mobility Post–Disaster Response System (AAMPDR system) was explored through the focal lenses of systems thinking (ST), socio–technical systems (STS) and model–based systems engineering (MBSE) paradigms. Initially aimed at providing intervention for casualties and aerial support to emergency rescue workers on the ground in the event of a hurricane disaster around the Gulf shore of the Mobile bay area, Mobile city, AL., the scope of this research subsequently expanded to include a global outlook. Thereafter, culminating in the development of a generalized AAMPDR system model …

Trends In Annual Reported Laser Strikes Per Aircraft Operations In The United States From 2010-2024​, Charles J. Prenaveau, Aidan B. Chen, Brooke Wheeler

Aeronautics Student Publications

Laser strikes targeting aircraft have increased in the United States from 2010 to 2024, even when adjusted for the number of aircraft operations. This trend poses a growing threat to aviation safety.

Drought Effects On Part 121 Operations In California, Brian Robert Barlotta, Steve Na, Vivek Sharma, Brooke E. Wheeler

Aeronautics Student Publications

This study examined whether Part 121 flight disruptions (delays, cancellations, diversions) differed between drought and non-drought periods at the five busiest airports in California from 2004 to 2024. There were no significant differences in disruptions between drought seasons for any of the variables.

Annual Bird Strike Reports Per Airport Operation By Different Runway Configurations In The 11 Contiguous Western States Of The United States, Hyunyoung Jang, Jiin Jang, Constantine Anthony Pagent, Vivek Sharma, Brooke E. Wheeler

Aeronautics Student Publications

This study examined differences in annual bird strike reports per operation by runway configuration: parallel runway and intersecting runway. Results supported that parallel runways experience higher annual bird strike reports per operation compared to intersecting runways, indicating a configuration-based risk pattern.

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.

The Effects Of Aviation Environmental Knowledge And Ticket Price Increase On Willingness To Pay, Dylan Dahl, Joonyeong Bae, Angelina Velez, Brooke Wheeler

Aeronautics Student Publications

There was no significant effect of aviation environmental knowledge on willingness to pay (WTP; p = .20); however, there was a significant effect on WTP by ticket price increases (p = .02) between 0 and 15%. This suggests that price is a stronger driver than awareness of environmental impact when paying for sustainable aviation fuel (SAF).

G.W.A.I.H.I.R. Guided Wing Aircraft For Intelligent Hybrid Insertion And Recovery, Abdirahman Ahmed Shirwa, Zach Richards, Derek Harwood, Alex Duncan

Senior Design Project For Engineers

The paper outlines the conceptual and preliminary design of a hybrid vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) heavy lift unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) for autonomous cargo transport missions. The primary design objective was to create an aircraft capable of carrying a 15 kg payload over a range of 33 km, achieving a top cruise speed of 45 km/h and maintaining an endurance capacity of at least 90 minutes.

A comprehensive literature review informed key design decision, including airfoil selection, structural material, propulsion system configuration, and control. Key requirements were established early in the design process, such as payload capacity, energy efficiency, …

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 …

Rfid Security For Iot Airport Infrastructure, Owen Guerra-Mondragon Saenz, Aaron Tulino, Benjamin Higgins, Philippe Shchetinin, Sawyer Hansen

Discovery Day - Prescott

Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) is a technology that uses active and passive tags to communicate via radio signals at various frequencies. Currently, it is being used in several applications in areas like merchandise tracking during transit, inventory management, access control for authorized personnel, and data sharing via Near Field Communication (NFC). RFID technology is used in airports to track both people (passengers and employees) and luggage. For employees, RFID helps control access to specific areas based on their role or hierarchy within the organization, allowing them to enter restricted zones based on their permissions. For passengers, RFID plays a crucial …

Exploring Strategies And Innovations In Airline Profitability Assessment: The Role Of Artificial Intelligence, Elif Degirmenci

Journal of Global Hospitality and Tourism

The airline industry's profitability assessment remains a complex yet critical aspect of strategic decision-making, spanning from hub profitability to individual flight performance. This paper explores the diverse methodologies and challenges involved in evaluating both line and network profitability, emphasizing the need for innovative approaches in reconciling variable costs associated with aircraft types and route assignments. Traditional methods are juxtaposed with innovative concepts like the Blended Aircraft Cost model, offering insights into enhancing market route profitability. Additionally, advanced methodologies such as horizontal and vertical methods are discussed, alongside the role of artificial intelligence in revolutionizing real-time profitability analysis. Through a comprehensive …

Rookies To Aces: Investigating The Intuitiveness Of Pilot Interaction For Operating Evtol Aircraft, Shivani J. Patel

Doctoral Dissertations and Master's Theses

Electric Vertical Take-Off and Landing (eVTOL) aircraft introduce unique movement dimensions beyond traditional fixed-wing and rotor-wing aircraft, requiring novel control interfaces for pilot operation. This study examines the compatibility of gesture-based control movements across participants with varying flight experience levels. This study included a total of 60 participants across four groups; novices (no real or virtual flight experience, n=30), flight simulator gamers (n=10), fixed-wing pilots (n=10), and rotor-wing pilots (n=10). Participants viewed eighteen simulated first-person eVTOL aircraft movements (e.g. pitch, roll, yaw, heave, translations) assessing their intuitive gesture inputs for the different aircraft motions. Additionally, they were asked to sketch …