Aviation Commons^™

Human Factors And The Road To Single Pilot Operations, Michael Gearhart

Honors Program Theses and Projects

The purpose of this research paper is to shed light on the feasibility and implications concerning the introduction of single-pilot operations on air transport category aircraft. As technology has been advancing over the past few decades, autonomous artificial intelligence software has started to become more popular, finding higher demands in various industries. With current issues such as the pilot shortage and raising pilot wages, airlines are looking for ways to cut down on costs and preserve a healthy work force level. The implementation of this artificial intelligence technology on the aircraft flight deck provides a potential solution to this problem. …

Automatic Testing In The United States Air Force, Pearson Wade

Computer Science and Computer Engineering Undergraduate Honors Theses

The need for standardized Automatic Testing Equipment in the United States Department of Defense has brought about new policies and procedures within entities like the United States Air Force. The diversity and lifespan of systems such as jets, missiles, drones, and other electronics have brought on the need for a new system known as the Versatile Depot Automatic Test Station, or VDATS. The VDATS handles the automatic testing of replaceable digital circuits from different systems. I was introduced to this system firsthand during my time as an intern at Tinker AFB, Oklahoma. This new standardized approach to testing a diverse …

Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems Flight Training Programs Through The Lens Of A Traditional Flight Training University, David Thirtyacre, C. Woodyard

Publications

According to CFR 14 Part 107, an RPC is issued strictly on the results of the Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) knowledge test and background security check. This leaves commercial sUAS operators on their own to determine the training and proficiency required to fly safely and effectively. Regardless of the learning method, the question becomes, what knowledge and maneuvers should be learned, and to what proficiency level? This paper explores specific knowledge and skills which should be mandatory for all sUAS commercial pilots and recommends a probation period to gain experience before receiving an unrestricted RPC.

Secure Aircraft Maintenance Records Using Blockchain (Samr), Ahrash Aleshi

Doctoral Dissertations and Master's Theses

We propose to enhance the security and transparency of aircraft maintenance records in the aviation industry through the use of blockchain technology. A physical aircraft maintenance logbook is susceptible to being lost or destroyed. A nonexistent aircraft maintenance logbook hurts the confidence in integrity and reputation of the aircraft. Furthermore, fraud can occur through forgery of FAA personnel signatures and the installation of non-official aircraft parts. The scope of this work is to develop a secure blockchain that can store aircraft service records and information in a digital distributed ledger. By keeping the maintenance logbook on a digital ledger, records …

An Alternative Method Of Identification Of A Failed Engine In Twin-Engine Propeller Aircraft, Andrey Babin

Doctoral Dissertations and Master's Theses

Previous research has revealed that wrong identification of a failed engine during flight is not an uncommon event in an aircraft cockpit. A number of fatal accidents in the past, including the recent TransAsia Flight 235 accident, resulted from engine misidentification. Most accidents of this type happened on takeoff when pilot workload was at its highest level. This thesis consists of two research studies. For Research Study 1, a survey was created to gather opinions of airline pilots who operate twin-engine turboprop aircraft. Twenty-nine percent of respondents to the survey agreed with the statement that there could be a better …

Low-Fare Flights Across The Atlantic: Impact Of Low-Cost, Long-Haul, Trans-Atlantic Flights On Passenger Choice Of Carrier, Jennifer Nicole Hunt

Doctoral Dissertations and Master's Theses

Full-service carriers (FSCs) have long ruled the trans-Atlantic market, due to the absence of low fare competition, which has kept airfares high. However, renewed interest in low-cost, long-haul (LCLH) flights was prompted by efficient aircraft, low fuel prices, liberalization of air markets, and low-cost carriers’ growth opportunities. Since 2013, multiple LCLH carriers have commenced trans-Atlantic operations, and their market share has grown to 8%. In response, FSCs are establishing their own LCLH subsidiaries and/or introducing basic economy airfares to more effectively compete in the trans-Atlantic market. The purpose of this dissertation was to further the understanding of LCLH and FSC …

Positive Experiences As Countermeasures To Stress In Spaceflight: An Investigation Of The Experiences Of Astronauts, Morgan M. Eudy

Theses and Dissertations

Long-duration space mission targets such as asteroids, the Moon and Mars in coming years will increase the need to stress management techniques to support crews on increasingly risky, autonomous missions. New stress management approaches may be found by better understanding the reported positive effects resulting from factors in these environments. This study utilized an exploratory case study approach to leverage quantitative and qualitative data to yield research questions for future correlational analysis. This study found that positive experiences and changes in environmental perspectives occurred from viewing Earth from orbit. Furthermore, this study found that personality factors such as extraversion may …

Assessment Of The Evolving Low-Cost Business Model For The Future Importance Of U.S. Secondary Airports, Nurettin Dinler

Theses and Dissertations

Airline deregulation caused a profound reshape in the aviation industry. The liberalization of the aviation sector resulted in a favorable environment for the emergence of low-cost carriers (LCCs). Following deregulation, airlines saw many attempts at their business strategies to gain more passengers in air transportation market. To capture additional market shares of passenger traffic, the business models of LCCs have evolved to mirror the more common business models employed by the traditional legacy airlines. The purpose of this study was to examine what effect, if any, exists between LCCs’ market share of passenger enplanements at secondary airports and their business …

Impact Of Computer Tablets On General Aviation Flight Training, Anthony Saitabau Lolchoki

Theses and Dissertations

Over the past two decades, Electronic Flight Bags (EFBs) and Personal Electronic Devices (PEDs) have developed from flight publication storage devices hosted on modified laptop computers into fully interactive near-avionics-quality navigation equipment based on consumer-grade tablet computers. Broadly speaking, the Code of Federal Regulation (CFR) 14 regulates the use of this type of equipment for commercial airlines, commuter operations, and fractional ownership operators, but have neglected the General Aviation (GA) sector. Due, in part, to this lack of governance, little has been known about EFB use in GA. After using an internet-based survey, this study was conducted to examine whether …

Holding Pattern: An Analysis Of Heathrow Airport’S Capacity Quandary, Dudley G. Oscar

Honors Program Theses and Projects

One of the most contentious topics of discussion in Aviation today revolves around what many describe as the “overcrowding” of Heathrow Airport in London. Operating at over 99% capacity between its only 2 runways, Heathrow is the world’s busiest airport, a title which it has had difficulty taking pride in due to its implications (“Airport Capacity in London,” 2013). This has also been an ordeal for passengers navigating through the airport and experiencing the often absurdly long delays as aircraft are kept in holding patterns over the congested airport waiting to land, but also for airlines that have had to …

The Controversial F-35 Joint Strike Fighter: America's Most Expensive Weapons System And Its Global Impact, Bert Chapman

Libraries Faculty and Staff Creative Materials

Provides an overview on the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) program involving the U.S. and many allied countries. Describes the costs of this program, the technical problems it has experienced, its economic impact on the U.S. and allied countries, the JSF's operational capabilities, potential combat scenarios in which it could be used, and the campaign finance impact aerospace companies and unions have in the electoral process.

An Analysis Of Regional Airlines’ Response To The Pilot Shortage And How It Impacts Collegiate Pilots, Jared Samost

Honors Program Theses and Projects

According to the Air Line Pilots Association there is an acute shortage of qualified pilots willing to fly for regional air carriers due to a lack of benefits and pay (Pilot Supply and the Future of the Profession, n.d.). Other organizations, such as the Regional Airline Association (RAA), believe the pilot shortage is due to strict and lengthy eligibility requirements imposed recently by the governing body of aviation, The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). The purpose of this project is to analyze the opposing views on the pilot shortage in the regional carriers and examine the recruitment efforts regional carriers utilize …

Ranking Of Human Senses In Relation To Different In-Flight Activities Contributing To The Comfort Experience Of Airplane Passengers, Joyce Bouwens, Suzanne Hiemstra-Van Mastrigt, Peter Vink

International Journal of Aviation, Aeronautics, and Aerospace

Bubb, Bengler, Grünen, and Vollrath (2015) identified six environmental comfort factors and ordered them from most important to least important (smell, light, vibrations, sound, climate and anthropometry). This paper attempts to verify whether this suggested order of comfort-related factors also applies to the expectations of aircraft passengers. For this purpose, two studies were carried out. First, a survey was conducted among 183 aircraft passengers between 19 and 64 years old. In this survey, respondents were asked to rank six comfort factors by selecting the most important factor from 15 pairs of factors (e.g. light versus smell). The respondents indicated anthropometry …

Assessment Of Small Unmanned Aerial Systems Operations In The National Airspace System, Kabir O. Kasim

Journal of Aviation Technology and Engineering

The operation of small unmanned aerial systems (sUAS) in the National Airspace System requires a careful consideration of the operating philosophies to ensure a safe outcome for all users. Small UAS operations are explored while the associated risks and benefits from the operations are reviewed. The operation of sUAS in self-separation airspace is discussed by an examination of the concept of autonomous flight rules (AFR). This includes a presentation of the basic principles of AFR and an explanation of the requirement for a sense-and-avoid system. Current and future uses of sUAS are presented to highlight the benefits from their use. …

Pilot Visual Detection Of Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems (Suas) Equipped With Strobe Lighting, Ryan J. Wallace, Jon M. Loffi, Samuel M. Vance, Jamey Jacob, Jared C. Dunlap, Taylor A. Mitchell

Journal of Aviation Technology and Engineering

When operating under Visual Flight Rules, pilots primarily rely on visual scanning to avoid other aircraft and airborne collision threats. Records from the Federal Aviation Administration indicate that near encounters with unmanned aircraft are on the rise, reaching 1,761 reported unmanned aircraft system (UAS) sightings or near-misses in 2016. This study sought to assess the effectiveness of pilot visual detection of UAS platforms that were equipped with strobe lighting. A sample of 10 pilots flew a general aviation aircraft on a scripted series of five intercepts with a small UAS (sUAS) that was equipped with strobe lighting. Participants were asked …

Exploring Commercial Counter-Uas Operations: A Case Study Of The 2017 Dominican Republic Festival Presidente, Ryan J. Wallace, Jon M. Loffi, Michael Quiroga, Carlos Quiroga

International Journal of Aviation, Aeronautics, and Aerospace

The proliferation of commercial off-the-shelf unmanned aircraft technology has resulted in a growing number of illicit or hazardous UAS activities, highlighting the growing need for effective counter-UAS mitigations. The purpose of this exploratory research is to develop a better understanding of the existing tactics, techniques, procedures involved in counter-UAS operations. Using a critical paradigm approach, the authors conducted a qualitative, unstructured interview with counter-UAS professionals. The authors sought to identify mission planning considerations, counter-UAS engagement tasks, and unanticipated conditions associated with performing a commercial [non-military] counter-UAS mission. The authors codified 11 key mission planning tasks and a 22-step engagement process …

Airline Quality Rating 2018, Brent D. Bowen, Dean E. Headley

Airline Quality Rating Report

The results of the 28th annual national Airline Quality Rating (AQR). The most comprehensive study of the performance quality of the 12 largest airlines in the United States, the AQR is conducted by researchers at the W. Frank Barton School of Business at Wichita State University and Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University’s Prescott, Ariz., campus. Airline performance, as presented by AQR researchers, encompasses a multifactor look at the overall quality of the airlines. It includes on-time performance, denied boardings, mishandled baggage and customer complaints. AQR is the longest running and most established measure of airline quality. AQR researchers use a combination of …

A Laboratory Kit For Multimeter Design, Seth Percy, Joshua Perry

Thinking Matters Symposium Archive

The multimeter is an important electrical tool and is a combination of many individual instruments. In practice, common multimeter designs are digital and measure voltage, current, resistance, capacitance, etc., using a single set of probes. Before the digital age, the world relied on analog displays. Some argue that analog displays are outdated technology. However, this overlooks one of the most important characteristics provided by the analog display, which is its ability to provide an instantaneous visual perception. Analog displays are currently used for many applications in aviation and automobiles, demonstrating their continuing usefulness in the field. In the multimeter, the …

A Hierarchal Decision Model To Determine The Most Promising Tier-2 Space Agency, Smarajit Chakraborty

Engineering and Technology Management Student Projects

When it comes to space exploration programs NASA, ISRO, SpaceX, CNSA, JAXA and ESA has made remarkable achievements in the past and is keep making more and more success. The study, on completion, seeks to guide the decision problem of “which space agency has the best future in space exploration?”.

This study will seek to find which space agency has the best future prospect in terms of various perspectives. To find a solution to the stated problem, initially available literature was studied and the probable solutions for the decision problem was enlisted. Data Records from the organization websites were studied …

Gender Difference In Situation Awareness When Receiving Wayfinding Direction By Landmarks And Headings, Ziyi Dong

Doctoral Dissertations and Master's Theses

In aviation, situation awareness (SA) is a fundamental requirement for effective flying and air traffic control. This skill has greatly been associated with pilot and air traffic controller performance. Previous studies in aviation and other fields have shown that gender differences exist in SA performance. Four hypotheses were tested in this study: women navigate better from landmark cues; men navigate better from headings cues; women have better SA performance than men when receiving landmark directions; and men have better SA when receiving cardinal directions. Thirty-eight participants drove a driving simulator twice. While driving, participants were asked SA questions to assess …