Aviation Commons^™

Front Matter, Adfsl

Annual ADFSL Conference on Digital Forensics, Security and Law

No abstract provided.

Contents, Adfsl

Annual ADFSL Conference on Digital Forensics, Security and Law

No abstract provided.

Hazards And Mitigation Measures In Aerospace Non-Destructive Testing, Khay-Wai Leong, Patti J. Clark

International Journal of Aviation, Aeronautics, and Aerospace

As an aircraft component is subjected to tensile/torsional/bending forces and heat cycles during operation, non-destructive inspection programs have been mandated by aviation regulatory authorities and component manufacturers to ensure that cracks and flaws in the aircraft structure, engine and components are detected before reaching catastrophic failure modes. In aerospace settings, eddy current, magnetic particle, dye penetrant and radiography inspection methods are known to affect worker health. Two recent studies have linked dye chemicals to bladder cancer, excessive electromagnetic field exposure has been linked to undue stress on the human body, and excessive exposure to ionizing radiation has been linked to …

Effect Of Active Learning On Instrument Rated Pilots’ Knowledge And Self-Efficacy, Robert Leroy Thomas

Doctoral Dissertations and Master's Theses

The study examined the effect of active scenario-based training on the knowledge and self-efficacy of instrument rated pilots who were not instrument current. Additionally, this study addressed an issue that was not present in the existing literature by validating the potential of using at-home personal computer scenario-based simulation for instrument currency. The current method of maintaining instrument currency does not require any context or scenario-based training. At a minimum, a pilot must perform a specific number of instrument approaches and holds in an airplane, approved simulator, or training device.

Sixty-two non-current instrument rated pilots who represented the U.S. general aviation …

Propeller Design Requirements For Quadcopters Utilizing Variable Pitch Propellers, Ian R. Mcandrew, Elena Navarro, Ken Witcher

Publications

Unmanned aerial vehicles, UAV, has increases in the drastically in these past several years since their costs reduced. This research is based and built upon previous research presented in a conference. With the advent of commercial Quadcopters, four propeller systems, are used, being designed and used to operate the advantages of both flight and hovering. The basic design of their propeller blades has not evolved from the early days of manned flight when wooden fixed blades were used. In this paper that expands upon previous findings and discussions it explores the historical developments. Furthermore, how the expansion and reduction in …

Assessment And Comparison Of Aviation Manufacturing Industries Throughout Mexico And Brazil, Omar E. Morsi, Kelly A. Whealan-George, Aaron D. Clevenger

International Journal of Aviation, Aeronautics, and Aerospace

This literature review serves to provide insight and understanding in regards to the evolving aviation manufacturing industry throughout the globe and more specifically, Mexico and Brazil. Increased demand for aircraft units both in the commercial and private sectors have led to unprecedented expansions in aircraft manufacturing across the industry. In order to illuminate certain potentials and current growth levels of such industries, this review will delve into an array of information and specifications in regards to economic, political, and cultural influences throughout both Mexican and Brazilian markets respectively. In conclusion, the review will identify the transformation of an aviation manufacturing …

Utm, Atm, Stm… Slices Of The Sky?, Ruth E. Stilwell

Space Traffic Management Conference

UTM, ATM, STM… slices of the sky?

This paper will examine the functional differences between Unmanned Aircraft Traffic Management Systems, Air Traffic Management Systems, and Space Traffic Management. Understanding both the similarities between the systems and the different functional requirements of each concept is critical in the discussion and development of STM. While there are many commonalities in each area, it is important to understand how the different environments affect the ability to develop policies, procedure and technologies to manage the vehicles operating in the distinct environment. Both technical and legal frameworks will be discussed.

Building a conceptual framework for …

Unmanned Aerial Systems: Research, Development, Education & Training At Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Michael P. Hickey

Publications

With technological breakthroughs in miniaturized aircraft-related components, including but not limited to communications, computer systems and sensors, state-of-the-art unmanned aerial systems (UAS) have become a reality. This fast-growing industry is anticipating and responding to a myriad of societal applications that will provide new and more cost-effective solutions that previous technologies could not, or will replace activities that involved humans in flight with associated risks.

Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University has a long history of aviation-related research and education, and is heavily engaged in UAS activities. This document provides a summary of these activities, and is divided into two parts. The first part …

Ten Years Of The Real World Design Challenge, Robert W. Deters, Brent Terwilliger, S.C. Kleinke, Ralph K. Coppola, Jeff Coppola

Publications

Preparing students to be successful in STEM careers is important to foster continued growth in the US and the world. The Real World Design Challenge is a high school design competition focused on the area of aviation. Students work in teams to solve a real world problem using professional tools. The 2018 challenge marks the tenth anniversary of this program. The first students to compete in this competition are now in the work force. This paper describes the background of RWDC, the different challenges that have been used throughout its ten years, the current precision agriculture challenges using UAS, and …

A Novel Approach For Missing Combat Support Aircraft Search Acceleration Using Vtol Uas, Mohammed Ba Zuhair, Wisam Yousef, Issam Samara, Vladislav Varsegov

International Journal of Aviation, Aeronautics, and Aerospace

In this paper, an approach to accelerate search operations for a missing combat support aircraft using a portable waterproof autonomous vertical takeoff and landing unmanned aerial system called “flying locator beacon” is described. The latter is connected with both flight data and cockpit voice recorders with a parallel bus and may be deployed from the empennage during extreme emergency scenarios, which is detected when few flight parameters are overrun leading to an air crash stimulating behavior. Landing of the flying locator beacon strictly takes place on global latitude and longitude coordinates only of integer values enabling significant minimization of search …

Space Operations In The Suborbital Space Flight Simulator And Mission Control Center: Lessons Learned With Xcor Lynx, Pedro Llanos, Christopher Nguyen, David Williams, Kim O. Chambers, Erik Seedhouse, Robert Davidson

Journal of Aviation/Aerospace Education & Research

This study was conducted to better understand the performance of the XCOR Lynx vehicle. Because the Lynx development was halted, the best knowledge of vehicle dynamics can only be found through simulator flights. X-Plane 10 was chosen for its robust applications and accurate portrayal of dynamics on a vehicle in flight. The Suborbital Space Flight Simulator (SSFS) and Mission Control Center (MCC) were brought to the Applied Aviation Sciences department in fall 2015 at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Daytona Beach campus. This academic and research tool is a department asset capable of providing multiple fields of data about suborbital simulated flights. …

The General Aviation Pilot Preflight Weather Planning: Weather Products Usability & Limitations, Jayde King, Yolanda Ortiz, Nicholas Defilippis, Thomas A. Guinn, Beth Blickensderfer, Thomas Robert

General Aviation Weather Display Interpretation

Over the last 30 years, a large percentage of weather-related aviation accidents have occurred under General Aviation (GA) operations (FAA, 2010; Fultz & Ashley, 2016; AOPA, 2008).

• Novice Private Pilots VFR into IMC
• High Risk For Incurring Fatality

Aviation Weather Challenges

1. Difficult to interpret Aviation Weather Products
2. Pilot's Decision Making Biases and Errors
3. GA Pilots' Lack of Aviation Weather Experience

How Nationality, Weather, Wind, And Distance Affect Consumer Willingness To Fly In Autonomous Airplanes, Nadine K. Ragbir, Bradley S. Baugh, Stephen Rice, Scott R. Winter

Publications

Several studies have examined passengers’ trust in human-operated systems versus autonomous systems. Prior studies have also reported cultural differences among individuals from India and the United States. The purpose of this study was to investigate how nationality, weather, wind, and distance affect passengers’ willingness to fly in autonomous aircraft. Participants included 161 volunteers from the United States and 137 volunteers from India. In 12 different conditions, participants were asked to rate their willingness to fly in an autonomous aircraft, given information about the weather (sunny, raining, or snowing), the wind level (no wind versus strong wind), and the flight distance …

Shell Revisited: Cognitive Loading And Effects Of Digitized Flight Deck Automation, Mark D. Miller, Sam Holley

Publications

Acknowledging the SHELL human factors model, authors examine interfaces among components and assess problems created when the model is aligned with modern digitized flight deck systems. Complacency and overreliance on automated systems are evaluated, and cognitive load and potential for degraded situational awareness are examined. Authors present a SHELL overlay demonstrating where particular digitized functions and operations present challenges to operators and markedly influence effective SHELL interactions in highly complex flight deck systems. Human factors contributing to the Asiana Flight 214 accident are examined and correlates identified with the SHELL analysis. Implications for advanced crew resource management are presented, and …

Fatal General Aviation Accidents In Furtherance Of Business (1996–2015): Rates, Risk Factors, And Accident Causes, Scott Burgess, Stewart Boyd, Douglas D. Boyd

Publications

Introduction: General aviation missions related to furtherance of business potentially carry higher risk (operations in adverse weather, at night, for longer distances) than those undertaken for recreation. The study herein was undertaken to determine fatal accident rates, proportions, and risk factors/causes. Method: The National Transportation Safety Board aviation accident database was queried for accidents (1996–2015). Annual fleet times were from the general aviation annual activity survey. Statistical analyses used Poisson distributions, proportion testing, and Cohen’s Kappa tests. Results: The fatal accident rate for business operations was three- to six-fold lower than the rate for recreational flights with a decline evident …

Enhancing The Safety Training Of Ga Pilots To Reduce The Risk Of Bird Strikes: An Experimental Pilot Study, Flavio A. C. Mendonca Phd, Thomas Carney Phd, Richard O. Fanjoy Phd

International Journal of Aviation, Aeronautics, and Aerospace

Analyses of wildlife strike data from 2000 through 2016 indicate that for the general aviation (GA) community, the number and rate of damaging strikes has increased both at and outside the airport environment. Pilots play an important role in the accident prevention process due to wildlife, ranging from reporting strikes to using appropriate aircraft operating techniques to mitigate the risk of strikes. Therefore, safety efforts require enhanced aeronautical decision-making (ADM) for pilots. The purpose of this pilot project was to investigate if a safety protocol would enhance Part 141 GA pilots’ knowledge and skills to mitigate the risk of bird …

Uas Maintenance: A Critical Component In Maintaining Airworthiness, Bettina M. Mrusek, Kristy W. Kiernan, Patti J. Clark

International Journal of Aviation, Aeronautics, and Aerospace

Over the last several decades, the notion of traditional aircraft design has significantly changed. While there are many modern aircraft that resemble earlier models, their components, systems, and overall architecture have evolved, including the introduction of small unmanned aircraft systems (sUAS). Despite the growing consumer attraction to own and operate these aircraft, the subsequent impact on safety is an area of intense concern. The requirement of an established maintenance program for manned aircraft is rooted in ensuring that all aircraft are deemed safe for flight. Preventive maintenance schedules are based on component reliability data, which minimizes unnecessary maintenance while preventing …

Quantitative Examination And Comparison Of Altimetry Rules-Of-Thumb For General Aviation, Thomas A. Guinn

International Journal of Aviation, Aeronautics, and Aerospace

General aviation rules of thumb (ROTs) for density altitude and true altitude are examined and developed. Both ROTs originate from the same basic principle of hydrostatic balance, but differ significantly in the assumptions made regarding the atmospheric temperature profile. While the ROT for DA assumes a standard atmospheric vertical temperature lapse rate, the ROT for true altitude requires information regarding the observed layer-mean temperature of the atmosphere. Since the layer-mean temperature between the aircraft and the surface is typically unknown, it must be inferred from the temperature at a single level by again assuming a linear lapse rate. This method …

Language-Related Communications Challenges In General Aviation Operations And Pilot Training, Bradley S. Baugh, Alan J. Stolzer

International Journal of Aviation, Aeronautics, and Aerospace

English is the basis for aviation communications worldwide creating challenges for both native and non-native English speakers. An unfortunate outcome of language-related communications issues, whether indirectly or directly, has been aircraft mishaps. As aviation grows worldwide, the potential for miscommunication increases. Previous studies have concentrated on commercial aviation accident analysis. A similar focus on general aviation operations and pilot training incidents in the U.S. is needed. Voluntary incident reporting is a key component in Safety Management Systems in order to address problems before they become accidents. This project studied voluntary incident reports to analyze the number of language-related reports filed …

Mental Health In Commercial Aviation - Depression & Anxiety Of Pilots, Maurice C. Dehoff, Stephen K. Cusick

International Journal of Aviation, Aeronautics, and Aerospace

Two landmark accidents invigorated the discussion regarding pilot mental health. Other incidents may also have a mental health component that is related to, but not the direct cause of, the event. It is suspected that these “other incidents” are much more commonplace and while not catastrophic, erode safety. Depression and anxiety are two commonly occurring mental health concerns. Research indicates that a considerable portion of the U. S. population suffers from some form of mental health issue. Most go undiagnosed and untreated. A similar rate of occurrence appears to be found within the airline pilot population. The stigma of mental …

Called To Safety? Individual And Combined Effects Of Safety Climate And Occupational Callings On Aviator Safety Performance, Michele W. Gazica, Erin E. Bowen, Michael A. Mccarson, Kristen A-M. Chadwell

Journal of Aviation/Aerospace Education & Research

This study examined the individual and combined effects of two potential antecedents to aviation-related safety performance: safety climate and occupational callings. Research exploring the importance of occupational callings to the safety domain is in its nascent stages. The extent that someone is living a calling may explain variance in actual safety performance above that which can be explained by safety climate alone. Survey data from aviators in a flight training program were analyzed to evaluate the ability of occupational calling assessments to inform the potential for safety mishaps within the aviation industry. Results indicate that both safety climate and occupational …

Adaptive Learning Pedagogy Of Universal Design For Learning (Udl) For Multimodal Training, Ziho Kang, Mattlyn R. Dragoo, Lauren Yeagle, Randa L. Shehab, Han Yuan, Lei Ding, Stephen G. West

Journal of Aviation/Aerospace Education & Research

Traditionally, students or trainees usually receive training through a unidirectional instructional approach that can lack interactive activities or through a single material source in classrooms. Therefore, it is possible that some trainees might encounter a sink-or-swim situation if they are not able to understand the materials presented during classroom lectures nor execute correct procedures during laboratory sessions with time-intensive training. To address this issue, the Universal Design for Learning (UDL) asserts that trainees can increase their performance if instructors can provide the trainees with diversified means of information representation, expression opportunities, and engagement means. However, we lack the framework on …

Human Error Analysis Of Helicopter Emergency Medical Services (Hems) Accidents Using The Human Factors Analysis And Classification System (Hfacs), Paul E. Cline

Journal of Aviation/Aerospace Education & Research

Helicopter Emergency Medical Services (HEMS) is among the most dangerous type of flying in commercial aviation. This research utilized the Human Factors Analysis and Classification System (HFACS) to understand the errors, preconditions and violations that contribute to these accidents. Drawing upon source data from the National Transportation Safety Board’s Aviation Accident Database, HEMS accidents from 2000-2016 were analyzed according to the HFACS framework.

Airships In U.N. Humanitarian And Peace Operations: Ready For Service?, Walter Dorn, Nic Baird, Robert Owen

Journal of Aviation/Aerospace Education & Research

This study examines whether the United Nations should take steps in the near future to exploit the operational characteristics of lighter-than-air (LTA) and hybrid aircraft in support of its peace and humanitarian operations. Continued progress in the development of LTA transport system makes this a timely issue. At the same time, this progress highlights persistent challenges to the conduct of reliable and safe LTA operations, particularly in the face of bad weather and threats from groups hostile to the UN mission. The report examines this issue in four sections: (1) the potential advantages of LTA operations; (2) their disadvantages; (3) …

Evaluating The Effect Of Turbulence On Aircraft During Landing And Take-Off Phases, Anthony O' Connor, Derek Kearney

International Journal of Aviation, Aeronautics, and Aerospace

—— Low level wind shear and turbulence present a serious safety risk to aircraft during the approach, landing and take-off phases. Low level wind shear has been identified as one of the primary factors for aircraft go-arounds and aborted landings. During any given year, wind shear occurs thousands of times at airports around the world, affecting the arrival and departure of aircraft. This paper has quantified the direct cost of flight Go-arounds. This paper will show the potential savings to the aviation industry. This paper will argue that a solution to the problem of forecasting low level wind shear and …

Evaluating Small Uas Near Midair Collision Risk Using Aeroscope And Ads-B, Ryan J. Wallace, Kristy W. Kiernan, Tom Haritos, John Robbins, Godfrey V. D'Souza

International Journal of Aviation, Aeronautics, and Aerospace

As small unmanned aircraft systems (sUAS) continue to proliferate in the National Airspace System (NAS), near midair collisions are becoming more common. In late 2017, the National Transportation Safety Board released a report detailing the first confirmed midair collision between a sUAS and manned aircraft in the United States. In February 2018, a video of a sUAS maneuvering around a passenger jetliner on approach to a Las Vegas airport went viral on YouTube. Just months later, a helicopter instructor pilot reported performing evasive maneuvers to avoid colliding with a sUAS, resulting in a non-fatal crash. From 2014 to 2018 the …

Manned Versus Unmanned Aircraft Accidents, Including Causation And Rates, Justin A. Jaussi, Herbert O. Hoffmann

International Journal of Aviation, Aeronautics, and Aerospace

Many consider aircraft reliability a primary deterrent to the further integration of unmanned aircraft into civil airspace. Discussions of unmanned aircraft reliability often include comparisons of accident rates of medium and large unmanned aircraft (like the MQ-1 Predator and MQ-9 Reaper) to those of manned aircraft. These comparisons, however, often consider a recent period only but do not consider platform maturity. While this approach is valid—and worthy of discussion—it does not present a complete picture of the unmanned aircraft safety record. This paper employs a chi-square goodness-of-fit approach to compare the progression of the U.S. Air Force MQ-9 mishap rate …

Assessing The Risks: An Analysis Of Wildlife-Strike Data At The Three Busiest Brazilian Airports (2011-2016), Flavio A. C. Mendonca Ph.D., Chenyu Huang Ph.D., Thomas Q. Carney Ph.D., Mary E. Johnson Ph.D.

International Journal of Aviation, Aeronautics, and Aerospace

Brazil is the largest country in Latin America and has a considerable amount of air traffic volume domestically and internationally. Wildlife strikes are an increasing safety and economic concern for aviation operations in Brazil. The Brazilian Aeronautical Accidents Investigation and Prevention Center (CENIPA) has published annual reports summarizing the results of analyses of the data in a national level since 2009. The goal of this study was to supplement the CENIPA’s annual reports with information derived from the analysis of wildlife strikes to aviation, during 2011-2016, from the three busiest international commercial airports in Brazil: Guarulhos, Brasília, and Galeão. A …

Commercial Airline Pilots' Attitudinal Data On Controlled Rest In Position: A Qualitative Inquiry, Stephen Rice, Scott R. Winter, Emily C. Anania, Gajapriya Tamilselvan, Shawn Doherty

Publications

Fatigue is a significant contributor to accidents in aviation, in commercial, private, and military aircraft, and is defined as “extreme tiredness resulting from mental or physical exertion or illness” (Oxford Dictionary, 2017, n.p.). Typical fatigue mitigation techniques include work and rest scheduling, obtaining required minimum rest before a flight, and pharmacological countermeasures (Caldwell & Caldwell, 2005; Caldwell, Mallis, Caldwell, Paul, Miller, & Neri, 2009). However, Controlled Rest in Position (CRIP), or in-flight sleep, may be another potential way to mitigate pilot fatigue. Prior research has investigated consumer perceptions relating to CRIP, revealing unfavorable perceptions (Winter, Carryl, & Rice, 2015). However, …

Uas Pilots Code – Annotated Version 1.0, Michael S. Baum, Kristine Kiernan, Donald W. Steinman, Ryan J. Wallace Ed.D.

Publications

The UAS PILOTS CODE (UASPC) offers recommendations to advance flight safety, ground safety, airmanship, and professionalism.6 It presents a vision of excellence for UAS pilots and operators, and includes general guidance for all types of UAS. The UASPC offers broad guidance—a set of values—to help a pilot interpret and apply standards and regulations, and to confront real world challenges to avoid incidents and accidents. It is designed to help UAS pilots develop standard operating procedures (SOPs), effective risk management,7 safety management systems (SMS), and to encourage UAS pilots to consider themselves aviators and participants in the broader aviation community.