Open Access. Powered by Scholars. Published by Universities.®

Aviation Commons™

Open Access. Powered by Scholars. Published by Universities.®

Air Force Institute of Technology

Discipline
Keyword
Publication Year
Publication
Publication Type

Articles 211 - 240 of 353

Full-Text Articles in Aviation

Comparison Of The Effects Of Eight-Hour And Twelve-Hour Shifts On Air Force Aircraft Maintenance Production Levels, David P. Collette Sep 1999

Comparison Of The Effects Of Eight-Hour And Twelve-Hour Shifts On Air Force Aircraft Maintenance Production Levels, David P. Collette

Theses and Dissertations

his is a follow-on study that examined the effects of converting a large aircraft maintenance squadron from 8-hour shifts to 12-hour shifts. The squadron studied converted its 24-hour maintenance work force from three 8-hour work shifts to two 12-hour work shifts. Data was collected from four different time periods. Three time periods were used for a primary analysis and all four time periods were used for trend analysis. To determine if the 12-hour work shift was effective, workforce productivity was measured during the different work shift periods. Results showed an increase in two productivity measurements, no-change in two productivity measurements, …


The Effect Of Action Workouts On Aircraft Mission Capability Measurements, Michael P. Allison Sep 1999

The Effect Of Action Workouts On Aircraft Mission Capability Measurements, Michael P. Allison

Theses and Dissertations

Previous studies concerning quality improvement and the Action Workout Process attempted to define and describe the difficult concept of quality. A logical next step is to study to what extent implementation of a quality improvement program, such as ACC's Action Workout Process, positively or negatively affects performance factors within an Air Force organization. This study focused on exploring the fundamental question of whether there was, as a result of the Action Workout, a noticeable, statistically verifiable, positive or negative change in the mission capability of aircraft assigned to the units carrying out this quality improvement initiative. Research questions were developed …


Operational Risk Management And Military Aviation Safety, Park D. Ashley Sep 1999

Operational Risk Management And Military Aviation Safety, Park D. Ashley

Theses and Dissertations

The Air Force Class A aviation mishap rate has hovered around 1.5 mishaps per 100,000 flight hours since 1985. Recent attention on Air Force accidents has caused the leadership to seek to reduce its mishap rate. The Army's Class A aviation mishap rate declined after it implemented risk management (RM) principles in 1987. This reduction caught the attention of Air Force leadership who have since stated that the application of operational risk management (ORM) is how the Air Force will reduce, even eliminate, mishaps. With current budget constraints, ORM is considered to be the most cost-effective way the Air Force …


An Exploratory Analysis Of The Responsiveness Capability Of The Air Expeditionary Wing (Aew) Concept, Robert L. Charlesworth Sep 1999

An Exploratory Analysis Of The Responsiveness Capability Of The Air Expeditionary Wing (Aew) Concept, Robert L. Charlesworth

Theses and Dissertations

Seven AEF deployments have been accomplished in the Southwest Asia area of responsibility; none have met the Air Force's stringent 72 hour criterion. This exploratory study quantifies the responsiveness capability of the AEW concept. Based on a Monte Carlo simulation methodology this study concludes that the on call AEW at Mountain Home AFB does not have the capability to meet the 72 hour criterion. Additionally, this study examined the effect of three departures from the baseline model on responsiveness capability. These departures included: increasing airlift throughput capacity, incorporating limited airlift failure, and employing an air refueling scenario. The simulation models …


The Challenge Of Maintaining Or Replacing An Aging Airlift Fleet: A Cost/Capability Analysis For The Brazilian Air Force Mobility System, Julio C. Messias Sep 1999

The Challenge Of Maintaining Or Replacing An Aging Airlift Fleet: A Cost/Capability Analysis For The Brazilian Air Force Mobility System, Julio C. Messias

Theses and Dissertations

Despite the high Operational and Support costs incurred, the Brazilian Air Force's (BAF) declining budget has led to the establishment of conservative policies that favor short run solutions for a critical BAF airlift problem of operating an aging fleet. As a result of this policy, service life extensions of older airlift aircraft are the preferred solution. Using an equal airlift capacity approach to examine the Brazilian Air Force mobility system, this research performs a cost comparison analysis between two aircraft currently in operation at Brazilian's airlift command: C-130 Hercules and C-95 Bandeirante. To accomplish the cost analysis, this research develops …


An Ex Post Facto Analysis Of E-3 Maintenance Indicators In The 552d Air Control Wing Since Reorganization Under An Aircraft Generation Squadron Concept, Larry J. Stetz Sep 1999

An Ex Post Facto Analysis Of E-3 Maintenance Indicators In The 552d Air Control Wing Since Reorganization Under An Aircraft Generation Squadron Concept, Larry J. Stetz

Theses and Dissertations

Organizational restructuring sometimes occurs in the aircraft maintenance field, yet seldom are in-depth analyses performed after the fact to see if productivity improved. In December 1995, the 552D Air Control Wing restructured its flight line maintenance into an aircraft generation squadron concept. This study looked at before and after maintenance indicators to see if productivity improved. Maintenance data was collected from December 1993 to December 1997. Nineteen maintenance indicators were identified, and the key indicators were analyzed using means comparison and regression analysis to determine if efficiency and effectiveness had increased. The variables Mission Capable rate and Man-hours per Flying …


Space Launch Operations And The Lean Aerospace Initiative, Troy L. Endicott Mar 1999

Space Launch Operations And The Lean Aerospace Initiative, Troy L. Endicott

Theses and Dissertations

This study analyzes current expendable launch procedures and identifies truly lean, value-added steps in launch operation enterprises as they relate to the Lean Aerospace Initiative (LAI). LAI and the concepts of lean thinning are discussed and followed by a review of current and future launch system requirements and their opportunities for lean practices. The study also discusses in detail current Delta II expendable launch processing operations and presents results in a case study that show how lean principles have helped the Delta II launch team drastically reduce on-pad time, restructure its testing philosophy, and streamline its operations flow. Many of …


Maintenance Resources Evaluation Technique, Jorge Guarnieri Mar 1999

Maintenance Resources Evaluation Technique, Jorge Guarnieri

Theses and Dissertations

The Argentine Air Force (AAF) has undertaken the task of reviewing its logistics doctrine with the aim of supporting its mission on the basis of better-designed resource structures. The adequate sizing of logistics support is essential to obtain the desired military capability, while optimizing resource use. A decision support tool tailored to the AAF environment is needed to size that logistics support. This research developed a mathematical logistics model to evaluate the mean number of aircraft that can be restored in a given time interval between consecutive sorties, for a given maintenance resources mix and base physical geometry. This maintenance …


The Effects Of Three Media Presentation Systems On Maintenance Task Performance, John W. Chastain Sep 1998

The Effects Of Three Media Presentation Systems On Maintenance Task Performance, John W. Chastain

Theses and Dissertations

Wearable computers and Portable Maintenance Aids (PMAs) may soon be the normal way of doing aircraft maintenance in the Air Force. Currently, the Air Force uses the paper form of Technical Orders (TO's) while doing aircraft maintenance. The purpose of this thesis was to compare the effects of three different media presentations of the information used during aircraft maintenance. The three different presentations compared are the current paper form, a Head Mounted Display (HMD), and an auditory mode. An experiment was conducted to determine if there was a significant difference between the systems (in terms of task completion times and …


A Comparison Of 8-Hour Vs. 12-Hour Shifts On Performance, Health And Safety In A Usaf Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, Kelly J. Scott Sep 1998

A Comparison Of 8-Hour Vs. 12-Hour Shifts On Performance, Health And Safety In A Usaf Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, Kelly J. Scott

Theses and Dissertations

This study examined the effects of converting a large USAF aircraft maintenance squadron from an 8- hour shift system to a 12-hour shift system. In 1996, the squadron converted its 24-hour operations from three 8-hour work shifts, to two 12-hour work shifts with compressed work weeks. The squadron maintained 12-hour shifts for 19 consecutive months. A comparison was made of organizational performance, worker health and safety measures before, during and after 12-hour shift implementation. Findings indicated that changing from 8- to 12-hour shifts resulted in a slight increase in aircraft Mission Capability rates. However, this benefit appears to have come …


An Examination Of The United States Air Service's Logistics Operations, Andrew W. Hunt Sep 1998

An Examination Of The United States Air Service's Logistics Operations, Andrew W. Hunt

Theses and Dissertations

This historical study details the U.S. Air Service's logistics operations at home and abroad in an attempt to determine the relationship between the process and more recently established logistic principles. The information in the study was collected through an extensive review of both first hand accounts and historical compilations of the nature of World War I aviation logistics. Information regarding the production of the De Haviland DH-4 and Liberty Engine serve as the primary case examples of the operation of the logistics system. The established principles required for comparison were extracted from the writings of a number of expert military …


Value Of Increased Use Of Scheduled Maintenance On Aircraft Availability And Maintenance Cost Of The C-5, William T. Webb Sep 1998

Value Of Increased Use Of Scheduled Maintenance On Aircraft Availability And Maintenance Cost Of The C-5, William T. Webb

Theses and Dissertations

The C-5 consistently performs below its established mission capable rate of 75 percent. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether or not mission capable rates and maintenance costs can be improved by increased use of scheduled maintenance. Nine C-5 components were studied. Availability and cost were compared when scheduled replacement occurred at ten, twenty, and thirty percent before their respective mean time between failure and actual failure times. Actual failure times were not available so they were generated using simulation. The trade-off of using preventive maintenance is the decreased cost of sending fewer maintenance repair teams and increased …


Effects Of Shiftwork On Air Force Aircraft Maintenance Personnel, Craig A. Campbell Sep 1998

Effects Of Shiftwork On Air Force Aircraft Maintenance Personnel, Craig A. Campbell

Theses and Dissertations

This study examined the effects of converting a large aircraft maintenance squadron from 8-hour shifts to 12-hour shifts. The squadron studied converted its 24- hour maintenance work force from three 8-hour work shifts to two 12-hour work shifts incrementally, with one section converting to 12-hour shifts in January, 1996, and the remaining section converting in July, 1996. Both sections remained on 12-hour shifts until September, 1997, when both sections converted back to a three shift 8-hour operation. Health and well being, on- and off-duty accident rates, day shift vs. night shift accident rates, and the effects of stress and fatigue …


The T-27 "Tucano" Engine Pipeline Of The Brazilian Air Force: A Managerial Approach, Jorge Barros Santos Jun 1998

The T-27 "Tucano" Engine Pipeline Of The Brazilian Air Force: A Managerial Approach, Jorge Barros Santos

Theses and Dissertations

The T-27 is a Brazilian-made aircraft, manufactured by "Empresa Brasileira de Aeronautica - EMBRAER". The purpose of this study is to describe the processes that take place in the logistic pipeline of the T-27 Engine. With the objective of identifying any existent bottlenecks and suggests managerial approaches to improve the overall system performance.


The Scheduling Process In A Depot From The Brazilian Air Force, Fabricio J. Saito Jun 1998

The Scheduling Process In A Depot From The Brazilian Air Force, Fabricio J. Saito

Theses and Dissertations

The Brazilian Air Force (BAF) in its logistic structure contains 5 Air Logistic Centers (depots). This thesis concentrates its analysis on one of the most important BAF depots located at Sao Paulo (PAMASP). This thesis explores the scheduling process currently used in PAMASP. This thesis adopted a managerial approach in a sense that it looked to take a big picture of the current process. The researcher performed field interviews with the goal of describing the process. During the visit to PAMASP, the researcher also gathered problems related to the process. The recommendations stated on this study were based on the …


Sensitivity Analysis Of Brawler Pilot Skill Levels, Daniel C. Buschor Mar 1998

Sensitivity Analysis Of Brawler Pilot Skill Levels, Daniel C. Buschor

Theses and Dissertations

BRAWLER is a high resolution air to air combat simulation model used for engagement level analyses of few on few air combat. It uses a value driven decision logic to help simulate pilot behavior. In order to account for varied pilot skill levels, BRAWLER has defined three skill levels; Rookie, Pilot, and Ace. A Rookie can track up to three aircraft in its mental model, the Pilot, up to five aircraft, while an Ace has no limit. Further, each skill level varies the amount of time before a known aircraft, which has not been recently observed, is purged from the …


An Airlift Hub-And-Spoke Location-Routing Model With Time Windows: Case Study Of The Conus-To-Korea Airlift Problem, David W. Cox Mar 1998

An Airlift Hub-And-Spoke Location-Routing Model With Time Windows: Case Study Of The Conus-To-Korea Airlift Problem, David W. Cox

Theses and Dissertations

Traditionally, the United States Air Force's Air Mobility Command (AMC) has used the concept of direct delivery to airlift cargo and passengers from a point of embarkation to a point of debarkation. This study develops an alternative hub-and-spoke combined location-routing integer linear programming prototype model, and uses this model to determine what advantages a hub-and-spoke system offers, and in which scenarios it is better-suited than the direct delivery method. Additionally, the analysis suggests that the C-17 may be better-suited, in certain airlift situations, for theater airlift versus strategic (direct delivery) airlift. The model features the following elements: time windows, cargo …


Optimum Preventive Maintenance Policies For The Amraam Missile, Scott J. Ruflin Feb 1998

Optimum Preventive Maintenance Policies For The Amraam Missile, Scott J. Ruflin

Theses and Dissertations

The overall objective of this research effort was to formulate a preventive maintenance strategy for AMRAAM missiles subject to extended captive carry flight time. A preventive maintenance policy is only applicable if the item in question is aging, or deteriorating with time. Therefore, a supporting objective of this research is to characterize the aging process of the missile system through a non-parametric analysis of its Mean Residual Life (MRL) function. Three non-parametric, censored-data MRL function estimation techniques discussed in the literature are examined via a numerical example. All three estimation techniques provide MRL functions that exhibit greatly exaggerated decreasing trends …


Architecture, Design, And Implementation Of A Rapidly Prototyped Virtual Environment For A Military Spaceplane, Scott A. Rothermel Dec 1997

Architecture, Design, And Implementation Of A Rapidly Prototyped Virtual Environment For A Military Spaceplane, Scott A. Rothermel

Theses and Dissertations

The new Global Engagement vision places increased emphasis on the Air Force's ability to control and exploit space. A military spaceplane combining reliable access to space, high operational tempos, and multi-mission capabilities is in conceptual stages of development. Virtual environment technology provides an opportunity to investigate system requirements and unconventional interface paradigms for this unique vehicle. A virtual environment architecture and design based on support for a rapid prototyping development process, separation of concerns, and user interface development is presented. The rapid prototyping process allowed management of changing requirements via an evolutionary approach to implementation. Separation of the activities performed …


Reducing Cannon Plug Connector Pin Selection Time And Errors Through Enhanced Data Presentation Methods, Robert R. Webb Sep 1997

Reducing Cannon Plug Connector Pin Selection Time And Errors Through Enhanced Data Presentation Methods, Robert R. Webb

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this research is to investigate the effects of data presentation methods on technician performance when the procedures are presented on a monocular, head mounted display (HMD) in a static maintenance environment. This research used two different methods to present the maintenance task data to the technicians. The first method showed the task as it is typically described in standard technical manuals. It described the task to perform and provided a basic picture of the cannon plug to be tested (unenhanced). The second method provided the same information as the first, but it also modified the information by …


Economic Analysis For An F-22 Organic Vs. Contractor Aircraft Battle Damage Repair Ownership Decision, John A. Kitchens Sep 1997

Economic Analysis For An F-22 Organic Vs. Contractor Aircraft Battle Damage Repair Ownership Decision, John A. Kitchens

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to evaluate whether Contractor Logistics Support (CLS) is a viable alternative to Combat Logistics Support Squadrons (CLSSs) for providing F-22 Aircraft Battle Damage Repair (ABDR). Legalities, practicalities, and cost-effectiveness were key ownership concerns. United States Code, Office of Management and Budget, Department of Defense (DoD), and United States Air Force (USAF) requirements were reviewed to address legal and policy issues and whether F-22 ABDR is military essential. The Army's Logistics Civil Augmentation Program (LOCCAP) award fee history was used to assess the potential performance of F-22 ABDR CLS personnel. F-117 ABDR team requirements and …


Cost Per Flying Hour Analysis Of The C-141, Christopher J. Omlor Sep 1997

Cost Per Flying Hour Analysis Of The C-141, Christopher J. Omlor

Theses and Dissertations

This paper sought to examine if DoD's current transfer pricing method places AMC in a price competitive position with the government commercial rates and promotes managers to make the best decisions. Attention was paid to the stated customer concerns that current transfer pricing methods incorporate overhead and sunk costs that are not attributable to routine movement of peacetime cargo and could make AMC non price competitive with commercial vendors. The findings are that AMC currently uses full cost transfer pricing, as required by DoD policy, that includes significant overhead and sunk costs associated with its wartime responsibilities. The full cost …


Aerial Port Location Study, Levenchi L. Dingle Sep 1997

Aerial Port Location Study, Levenchi L. Dingle

Theses and Dissertations

This study performed an investigation on determining the appropriate number and locations of continental United States aerial ports. To accomplish this a linear programming formulation was adapted with the optimizing function based on trading off the cost of shipping cargo against port operating costs. Cargo would travel from CONUS origin, through aerial port of embarkation (APOE), to aerial port of debarkation (APOD) at minimum cost to the DoD. The need for the study was precipitated by continued reductions in the military budget, consolidation of defense depots, and the reduction in the number of personnel stationed overseas. Cargo movement data was …


Identification And Reduction Of Bottlenecks Concerning Micap Re-Supply Of F-16 Weapons System Avionics Line Replaceable Units, Karl N. Muno, Patrick K. Pezoulas Sep 1997

Identification And Reduction Of Bottlenecks Concerning Micap Re-Supply Of F-16 Weapons System Avionics Line Replaceable Units, Karl N. Muno, Patrick K. Pezoulas

Theses and Dissertations

This thesis evaluates selected F-16 avionics Line Replaceable Units (LRUs) transiting the logistics pipeline in order to examine the existence of bottlenecks and explore potential solutions within the current Department of Defense (DoD) logistics reparable pipeline. A previous study reported that a reduction in the overall pipeline resupply time of at least one day equates to a savings of approximately $25.45 million (Hill et al, 1990:iii). Bottlenecks cause movement delays to the entities moving through the logistics reparable pipeline. The pipeline segments are: AO (requisition), AE (item availability), AS (shipment status), and D6 (receipt). The bottlenecks of concern are those …


Aerospace Ground Equipment's Impact On Aircraft Availability And Deployment, Jeffrey D. Havlicek Sep 1997

Aerospace Ground Equipment's Impact On Aircraft Availability And Deployment, Jeffrey D. Havlicek

Theses and Dissertations

The first purpose of this thesis was to study the effects of four factors on aircraft availability: the aerospace ground equipment (AGE) design configuration, the mean time between failure (MTBF) of AGE, the mean time to repair (MTTR) AGE, and the travel time to transport the AGE around the flightline. A simulation developed by Carrico (1996) that has its foundation based on the Logistics Composite Model (LCOM) was used. ANOVA results indicated that the present estimates of these factors are too broad for trade studies that include an estimate of aircraft availability to begin. The time it takes AGE to …


Comparison Of Effects Of Change From 8 To 12 Hour Shifts On Air Force Aircraft Maintenance Workers, Daniel W. Overland Sep 1997

Comparison Of Effects Of Change From 8 To 12 Hour Shifts On Air Force Aircraft Maintenance Workers, Daniel W. Overland

Theses and Dissertations

This study examined the effects of converting from an 8 hour shift system to a 12 hour system on aircraft maintenance personnel. The squadron had converted its 24 hour operations from an 8 hour shift schedule to a 12 hour shift schedule in stages, changing one group first and then another. A smaller third group of workers remained on 8 hour shifts. Individual differences in job related outcomes and situational constraints were measured for all three groups. Results showed that changing from 8 to 12 hour shifts affected worker well-being and morale, as indicated by an increase in hospital visits …


Estimating Kc-137 Aircraft Ownership Costs In The Brazilian Air Force, Ulisses O. Bonasser Jun 1997

Estimating Kc-137 Aircraft Ownership Costs In The Brazilian Air Force, Ulisses O. Bonasser

Theses and Dissertations

This research addresses the estimation of operation and support (O&S) costs of the Brazilian Air Force KC-137 aircraft. BAF lacks an established set of procedures for computing ownership costs of such aircraft, which prejudices the elaboration of cost-benefit analysis and allocation of budget resources. The purpose of the study is to develop an O&S cost breakdown structure and a set of cost estimating equations that will be used to estimate the ownership costs of the KC-137 aircraft during their expected service life.


The Highly-Automated Airplane: Its Impact On Aviation Safety And An Analysis Of Training Philosophy, Kuo K. Liu Jun 1997

The Highly-Automated Airplane: Its Impact On Aviation Safety And An Analysis Of Training Philosophy, Kuo K. Liu

Theses and Dissertations

Two Airbus accidents at Nagoya, Japan and Toulouse, France in April and June 1994 highlighted the problem of the highly-automated airplane and its interface with pilots. As technologies in the engineering design progress so quickly in airplane automation, training philosophies toward the 'glass cockpit' may need to be re-evaluated. Many pilots, young and old, praise the advantages brought by the new technology. On the other hand, many have complained about the increasing workload and the danger of automation features which are not in their control. In this thesis, I evaluate the accidents of the highly-automated airplane and the probable solutions …


A Decision Support System For Joint Force Air Component Commander (Jfacc) Combat Planning, Donald W. Hinton Mar 1997

A Decision Support System For Joint Force Air Component Commander (Jfacc) Combat Planning, Donald W. Hinton

Theses and Dissertations

This system allows assessment of the Master Air Attack Plan (MAAP) during construction and at completion. The system functions around a relational database management system providing a decision support tool for the Guidance, Apportionment, & Targeting (GAT) cell of Central Command's JFACC Combat Plans. A Microsoft Access application is programmed to provide PC-based, real time evaluation of air campaign goals and constraints. The decision support system was validated in February 1997 by the CENTAF combat plans staff at Blue Flag 97-1. The software and user's manual are maintained at HQ ACC/XP-Studies and Analysis Squadron.


Simulation Model Of Fighter Pilot Assignment Process, Anthony J. Hutfles Mar 1997

Simulation Model Of Fighter Pilot Assignment Process, Anthony J. Hutfles

Theses and Dissertations

This thesis analyzes the effect Continental United States (CONUS) Time on Station (TOS) has on filling critical rated assignments. A SIMSCRIPT II.5 simulation model of the F15 and F16 pilots assignment process was developed. The simulation tested the effect of changing CONUS TOS from 3 years to 6 years in half year increments. Analysis of the number of unfilled rated assignments from simulation runs of 10 years in length indicated that changing CONUS TOS by itself has no statistically significant effect on model's output. The analysis was expanded to a 2(2) factorial experimental design using CONUS TOS and Total Active …