Engineering Commons^™

The Perception Of Travel Agents As To Passenger Acceptance Of The High Speed Civil Transport In Commercial Airline Service: A Study Of Tomorrow's Transpacific Air Travel, James H. Starnes Iii

Master's Theses - Daytona Beach

Through a cooperative effort between NASA, Boeing Commercial Airplane Group, Douglas Aircraft Company, GE Aircraft Engines, and Pratt & Whitney, technology for a new-generation supersonic transport aircraft is being developed. To determine if air travelers will choose this aircraft, the High Speed Civil Transport (HSCT), as their mode of air transportation on transpacific routes, a self-developed questionnaire was sent to randomly selected travel agents in the Los Angeles, California area. The questionnaire examined criteria that passengers use to select transpacific flights, including fare, schedule, flight time length, and comfort. Results indicated that all passengers will be attracted to supersonic air …

The Use Of Videotape During Post-Flight Debriefing Of Simulator Flights To Improve Student Learning And Reduce Instructional Time, Stanley Paul Rowe

Master's Theses - Daytona Beach

The purpose of this study was to determine if videotaping students during simulator flights and using the results as a teaching tool would improve student learning and require less instructional time. Thirty subjects were randomly selected from students enrolled in an instrument rating flight course at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. A Frasca 141 simulator and a Panasonic video camera were used as the data gathering instruments. The treatment group reviewed the instructional lessons on videotape during their post-flight debriefing. At the end of the experiment, both groups received a posttest. The results of the posttest and the amount of instructional hours …

Incorporation Of Traffic Collision Alert System (Tcas) Advisories On Heads-Up Displays: Enhanced Pilot Response, Hamadeh A. Nureddine

Master's Theses - Daytona Beach

This study evaluated the effects that heads-up mounted TCAS displays had on pilot response and workload. Pilot response was evaluated by: (a) response time to a traffic advisory, and (b) number of missed traffic alerts. Workload assessment was accomplished in accordance with NASA's Task Load Index (TLX). Subjects were all licensed pilots with a minimum of a private pilot license and an instrument rating. A total of 32 subjects were randomly assigned to experimental and control groups utilizing HUD-mounted, and conventional, TCAS displays respectively. Performance data was collected during computer-simulated flights, while subjective workload levels were reported at the end. …

An Econometric Analysis Of The Nw/Klm Corporate Alliance, S. Koo Boon

Master's Theses - Daytona Beach

This thesis investigates whether a corporate alliance between international air carriers is beneficial, considering the changes in the global air transport system. Dividing the research method into three phases, the author first lists and identifies the recent changes in world air transport trends. Then, the author defines the different types of alliances and studies the advantages and disadvantages of these corporate alliances. Finally, a multiple regression analysis is performed using the KLM/Northwest Airlines alliance as a case analysis.

The Effects Of Luminance Boundaries On Color Perception, Richard E. Kronauer, Charles F. Stromeyer Iii, Alex Chaparro

Publications

The luminance and red-green chromatic detection mechanisms respond to, respectively, the sum and difference of the long-wave (L) and middle-wave (M) zone contrast signals. The most-detectable stimulus is not a small patch of luminance drifting grating, as suggested by others, but rather a small, foveal red-green chromatic flash. Even at the smallest test size examined, 2.3' diameter, the red-green mechanism i~s more sensitive than the luminance mechanism, which has profound implication for visual physiology. When a suprathreshold luminance flash (a pedestal) occurs coincidentally with a red-green chromatic flash, detection of color is facilitated ~2-fold, regardless of spot size, as shown …

Low Reynolds Number Laminar Separation Bubble Control Using A Backward Facing Step, Dominique Rothan

Master's Theses - Daytona Beach

The problem of a laminar separation bubble on the upper surface of a 9.5% thick airfoil operated at low Reynolds number (R_N = 380,000) was investigated experimentally.

An unmodified LRN-010 airfoil and a modified LRN-010 airfoil with a backward facing step on its upper surface were built and tested in the ERAU wind tunnel in order to obtain pressure distributions and drag for different angles of attack.

Results were found to be in good agreement with the results obtained from the XFOIL CFD code. It was concluded that the step cutout modification improves the airfoil’s lift-to-drag ratio at low …

Utilizing Instructional Design Constructs To Enhance Computer-Based Instruction In Air Traffic Controller Training, Theodore Scott Rhoads

Master's Theses - Daytona Beach

This study demonstrates that a computer-based instructional design format is appropriate for novice air traffic control (ATC) training. The computer presents the student with small amounts of information in tutorial and drill and practice sequences that necessitate student interactivity. The student is then periodically audit tested to ascertain mastery of the subject matter. The result of these mid-lesson evaluations serve as a self-check so that the student can assess his/her progress in the learning cycle. The systematic design of instruction and interactive approach to learning, enhances student motivation, improves learning and retention, while placing the responsibility of achieving specific learning …

Thermally Induced Vibration Of A Cross-Ply Laminated Plate With Hygrothermal Effects (Exact Solution), Stephen Jerry Maerz

Master's Theses - Daytona Beach

Of increasing importance in structural design is the use of fiber-reinforced polymeric composite material, notably in advanced aircraft and projectiles. These applications expose the materials to varied environmental conditions, therefore the material performance under these conditions is of great interest. One aspect of this is the solution of the dynamic response of a composite structure under elevated temperature and moisture conditions. An exact solution is formulated which describes the hygrothermal effects due to heating and moisture diffusion on one surface of a symmetric cross-ply plate made of AS/3501 graphite epoxy with simply-supported boundary conditions.

Isolating Failure Mechanisms In A Fiberglass/Epoxy Tensile Test Specimen Using Acoustic Emission Signal Parameters, Michael Kouvarakos

Master's Theses - Daytona Beach

This study used acoustic emission (AE) signal parameters to isolate the failure mechanisms in a 0° unidirectional, fiberglass/epoxy tensile test specimen. Since several failure mechanisms were known to be present, the lack of any distinctly identifiable bands in the original amplitude distribution indicated that there was considerable overlap between the AE signals of the various failure mechanisms. In order to separate the amplitude bands associated with each mechanism, it was necessary to sort on the duration of the AE signal. Two additional plots, counts versus amplitude and hits versus counts, were used to verify that the amplitude distributions were comprised …

The Effects Of Automation On Crew Coordination In The Corporate Cockpit, Yves P. Koning

Master's Theses - Daytona Beach

The implementation of automated systems in the cockpit has somewhat changed pilots' working environment. The present study, which focus is on corporate aviation, looks at the influence automation has on crew coordination.

A questionnaire including both Likert scale and open-ended questions was sent to 880 qualified pilots. A descriptive as well as an inferential analysis of the data provided by the Likert scale questions was conducted. Out of the five variables tested, the only one to generate any significant differences (p

Overall, pilots pointed out the importance of verbal communication and cockpit resource management training, emphasizing the strong need for …

Thermal Post-Buckling And Vibration Analysis Of Thermally Buckled Antisymmetrically Laminated Beams Using A 20 Dof Finite Element, Misao Mizuno

Master's Theses - Daytona Beach

The purpose of this study is to use the finite element method to analyze thermal buckling, post-buckling, and vibrations of thermally buckled composite beams including shear deformation. The beam element used has ten degrees of freedom at each node: axial displacement, transverse displacement due to bending and shear, twisting angle, inplane shear rotation and their derivatives with respect to x. Hermitian polynomials and Lagrange's equation were used to derive the equations of motion. The equations of motion were divided into static and dynamic parts. For buckling analysis, the eigenvalue problem was solved for the critical temperature. The scaled first mode …

Effect Of Intruder Vertical Rate On Pilot Perception Of Separation On A Cockpit Traffic Display, Bryan H. Rooney

Master's Theses - Daytona Beach

The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of intruder vertical rate on pilots’ perception of aircraft separation as viewed on a cockpit traffic display. A group of 20 student pilots from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University participated as subjects. SuperCard® software and a Macintosh II® personal computer were employed to generate the simulation of a cockpit display of traffic information. Each pilot monitored 84 scenarios in which they had to perceive how far away a single intruder would pass over or under their own aircraft. The pilots’ decision time, vertical and horizontal distance at decision time and percentage of …

Determination Of The Parameter Limits For Artificial Non-Random Microwave Signal Detection, Irvin Lee Burough

Master's Theses - Daytona Beach

The Doppler shift of small bandwidth (several Hertz) microwave signals makes identification of spectral features difficult; the Doppler individual bandwidth shift can be a factor of hundreds or thousands of times greater than the bandwidth. A computer model supplied by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration's (NASA) Search for Extra-Terrestrial Intelligence (SETI) project, which can simulate radio frequency interference (RFI) and a buried ETI signal, will determine the limits of the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) and false alarm threshold for identification of the signal after Doppler shifting. By running the model on a MicroVAX II computer, it will be possible to …

The Influence Of Cross-Cultural Differences On The Interpretation And Understanding Of Aircraft Passenger Safety Briefing Cards, Florian G. Jentsch

Master's Theses - Daytona Beach

Aircraft passenger safety briefing cards are an important part of passenger safety education aboard commercial aircraft. The cards must be understood by all readers, regardless of age, gender, or culture. Related research indicates that passengers from different cultures might misunderstand the highly specialized instructions on safety cards.

Computerized Aircraft Accident Investigation: Federal Aviation Administration Aviation Safety Inspectors' Perceptions, David S. Ryan

Master's Theses - Daytona Beach

The purpose of this study was to solicit the perceptions of Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Aviation Safety Inspectors (ASIs) on the use of a personal computer in the aircraft accident investigation process. A descriptive study survey questionnaire was used to collect the data for the study, which was sent to 150 FAA ASIs. The data collected supported the hypothesis that aircraft accident investigators think the use of a computer will help them with accident report form completion, managing the accident data collected, and in determining the factors contributing to an accident. Furthermore, the data supported the hypothesis that the use …

An Investigation Of The Floor Attachment Assembly Of A Large Transport Aircraft Seat Subjected To Crash Dynamic Loadings, Mark William Creager

Master's Theses - Daytona Beach

Accident investigations by the National Transportation Safety Board concluded that the passenger seat and restraint systems found in today's aircraft used by the airlines are inadequate to protect the occupant in airplane crashes. Computer models were developed of the seat-track assembly and finite element analyses were performed subjected to crash dynamic loadings. The seat-track interface was modeled with gap elements to accurately model the geometric interaction between the track and seat-track fittings. Results showed large deformations and stresses above yielding in both the seat and track when subjected to accelerations prescribed for certification under the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) regulations.

Cognitive Learning Styles And Their Relation To Air Traffic Control Screening And Training, Vincent P. Galotti

Master's Theses - Daytona Beach

The purpose of this study was to show a relationship between the type of cognitive learning style that an individual possesses and their subsequent success at simulated air traffic control practical exercises. Kolb's Learning Style Inventory was utilized to determine dominant learning styles of 30 college students enrolled in a laboratory-based air traffic control course. The instrument was administered during the first day of classes in the Fall of 1990. Students were placed in one of four groups for statistical purposes according to learning style. The scores of simulated micro-computer based air traffic control practical exercises given at semester's end …

Investigation Of The Effects Of Geometry On The Efficiency Of The Double Lap Joint Of Unidirectional Fiberglass Composites, Joseph Anthony Musco

Master's Theses - Daytona Beach

The fracture toughness in shear mode (Mode II) has been studied for double lap adhesive joints where geometry of the joint is the major parameter. A unidirectional fiberglass - epoxy system was selected for experimental tests and theoretical analysis. Both rectangular and elliptical planform geometries were investigated. In order to evaluate the results, the adhesion area of the two geometries was purposely made identical. Through computer analysis, the effects on the stress concentration factor as a function of geometry was investigated. Then, using testing and fracture mechanics techniques, calibration factors for Mode II loading of the two geometries were obtained. …

Effect Of Acoustic Oscillations On The Burning Of Carbon, Vivek Lall

Master's Theses - Daytona Beach

This study is concerned with the investigation of the effect of oscillatory flow on the burning of carbon. This involves the study of two separate problems. The first is to obtain a solution for combustion of a carbon particle surrounded by a stationary gaseous film, and the second is to obtain a solution for combustion of the carbon particle subjected to acoustic oscillations. A computer program is developed to solve the governing equations of both problems. Comparison of the solutions to the steady and the oscillatory cases provides information on the effect of the oscillations on carbon particle combustion.

Various …

An Analytical Study Of The Effects Of Age And Experience On Flight Safety, Patrick C. Guide

Master's Theses - Daytona Beach

The purpose of this study was to determine whether there are any significant decreases in the safety and effectiveness of pilots by age 60. The data for this study came from records of general aviation accidents (i.e., for private pilots, commercial pilots, and air transport pilots), and airline accidents (Part 121). These accident data were acquired from many specialized aviation data banks; these include: NTSB, AOPA, FAA, and the COMSIS Research Corporation. The data were organized into groups according to the ages of the pilots-in-command responsible for the accidents. Groupings progress in five-year increments starting at 20-24, and ending with …

Composite Structure Ultimate Strength Prediction From Acoustic Emission Amplitude Data, James Lewis Walker Ii

Master's Theses - Daytona Beach

The acoustic emission (AE) given off by a structure as it is stressed provides a passive means to characterize flaw growth activity in complex structures. This thesis demonstrates how the qualitative analysis of AE data can be refined to provide a quantitative tool for predicting the ultimate strength of composite tensile test specimens. From an original sample set of only six specimens, a multivariate statistical analysis was used to generate an ultimate strength prediction equation. The variables of the multivariate statistical analysis were obtained through the mathematical modeling of the specimen’s AE amplitude distributions produced during proof testing. Ultimate strengths …

The Development And Application Of A Trapezoidal Shear Panel For Use In Finite Element Codes, Glenn P. Greiner

Master's Theses - Daytona Beach

This thesis documents the efforts of the writer and his colleagues over the past several years to improve the theoretical foundation of the arbitrary quadrilateral shear panel used in structural analysis codes to model aircraft structures. An equilibrium stress-based element with pure shear resultants on its sides was developed using the principle of complementary virtual work. The internal stress field was derived from a complete polynomial Airy stress function. The element was numerically tested as a pure stress element and a hybrid element to assess the deflection properties for highly distorted planar panels. Linear-stress and quadratic-displacement rods were used, as …

Usair: Balancing Terminal Facilities And Runway Capacity At Pittsburgh, Edward J. Mattern

Master's Theses - Daytona Beach

As a result of expansion and acquisition, USAir has experienced major growth in flight operations. In an effort to accommodate this expansion, a major construction project, called the Midfield Terminal project, is underway at USAir's major hub, Greater Pittsburgh International Airport (PIT). The Midfield Terminal will result in a 60 percent increase in gate capacity for USAir and lower operating costs due to its location. However, increased gates infer increased flight frequencies. PIT already operates near capacity during peak periods and runway expansion has only been discussed. This paper evaluates the conditions of USAir at PIT with regard to the …

Trends In Air Transportation Between The Usa And The Asia/Pacific Region With Particular Consideration Of United Airlines' Acquisition Of The Pan Am Pacific Division, Michael Hanke

Master's Theses - Daytona Beach

This study deals with the development of scheduled passenger traffic between the USA and selected countries in the ICAO Asia/Pacific region from 1977 to 1987. Among the significant trends are the growth in scheduled passenger traffic volume and the increase in both the percentage share of US citizens and foreign flag carriers. This study focuses on United Airlines' acquisition of Pan Am's Pacific Division in 1985. An analysis of selected Pan Am transpacific services in terms of market share and quality of service before 1985 shows a general declining trend. The main reasons for this development include Pan Am's poor …

The Impact Of Birthdate Biorhythms On Aviation Accidents Involving Hellenic Air Force Fighter Pilots, Ioannis Fokas

Master's Theses - Daytona Beach

This study investigated the impact of birthdate biorhythm on aviation accidents involving Hellenic Air Force fighter pilots. A list of names, birthdates, and the dates of accidents was compiled from accidents involving pilots who had flown fighter aircraft and have reacted improperly even though they had sufficient time to implement the proper procedures. The list was acquired from the History Office of the Hellenic Air Force. A computer program was acquired for the specific purpose of tracking the pilot's birthdate biorhythm cycles. The Standardized Statistic Test for Proportion was used for statistical inferences. The results suggest that the date of …

Optimized Engine Out Procedures To Extend The Range Of Jet Transport Airplanes, Miltos Miltiadous

Master's Theses - Daytona Beach

The purpose of this study was to develop optimum engine-out procedures for the Boeing 747 and 767 on extended flights that will increase the range of the aircraft in case of engine failure. Theory suggests that an optimum amount of bank angle that will minimize drag resulting from asymmetric thrust in a multiengine airplane experiencing an engine failure, can be determined. By banking the airplane into the operative engines by that optimum bank angle, the range of the airplane can be improved significantly. Wind tunnel tests of both a Boeing 747 and a 767 model were performed to determine experimentally …

Investigation And Evaluation Of A Computer Program To Minimize Vfr Flight Planning Errors, Peter Joseph Mcalindon

Master's Theses - Daytona Beach

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of computer aided flight planning on flight planning errors. Subjects were selected from the introductory flight courses at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. After the subjects completed a conventional VFR navigation log, they were asked to plan the return trip of the flight using a computer aided flight plan. It was initially expected that the computer aided flight plans would have fewer flight planning errors than those calculated using conventional methods. The results supported the hypothesis that flight planning errors are greatly reduced when computer aided flight planning techniques are used.

Aerodynamic Forces On Flight Crew Helmets, Timothy A. Sestak, Richard M. Howard, Chester A. Heard

Publications

Wind tunnel tests were conducted to deter- mine the aerodynamic forces generated on aircrew flight helmets. Three helmets were tested: two used by aircrews flying ejection seat aircraft in the U.S. military, the Navy HGU-33/P and the Air Force HGU-53/P; and one prototype helmet of significantly different shape and volume. Axial and normal forces were measured through a range of pitch and yaw angles. It was found that large forces exist tending to promote helmet loss during ejection, and that simple modifications to the current helmet configurations can reduce those forces by as much as 40%. It is demonstrated that …

Data Reduction Procedure For An Experimental Method Of Measuring The Velocity-Coupled Response Function Of Solid Propellants, William H. Jarvis

Master's Theses - Daytona Beach

A computer program has been developed for calculation of the velocity-coupled response function of solid-propellants from experimentally measured pressure data. The proposed velocity-coupled response function measurement apparatus consists of an end-burner combustor where the propellant sample is oscillated in a direction normal to the flow in the presence of a standing acoustic wave within the combustion chamber. The pressure measurements are made at select points along the length of the chamber.

The data reduction program consists of a Runge-Kutta routine driven by a BFGS multivariable search routine. The Runge-Kutta routine determines the pressure distribution within the chamber of the proposed …

Predicting Burst Pressures In Filament Wound Composite Pressure Vessels Using Acoustic Emission Data, Frederick R. Kalloo

Master's Theses - Daytona Beach

This work presents a statistical method for predicting the burst pressures in filament wound composite pressure vessels by analyzing acoustic emission data obtained during hydroproof testing. First the acoustic emission data is plotted in the form of amplitude distributions. Then, by using statistical models with characteristics similar to Rayleigh and Gaussian distributions, failure mechanism percentages are found, at which point multiple regression analysis is used to predict burst pressures. Next, the predicted burst pressures are compared to the actual burst pressures and the significance of the data is analyzed using standard statistical theories. The research shows that the predicted burst …