Aviation Commons^™

Assessing The Benefits Of Performance-Based Navigation Procedures, Kabir O. Kasim

Journal of Aviation Technology and Engineering

Performance-based Navigation (PBN) allows aviation operations to be conducted based on actual operational requirements rather than the requirements of ground-based equipment. Although the general operational benefits of PBN procedures have been recognized by various studies, there is a need to specify the actual benefits in terms of the frequency of event anomalies that could be expected from the use of PBN procedures. The study reviewed some of the available literature and identified some operational improvements as reported by previous authors. The study then proceeded to review archival data from the Aviation Safety Reporting System (ASRS) database with a view to …

Rates And Causes Of Accidents For General Aviation Aircraft Operating In A Mountainous And High Elevation Terrain Environment, Marisa Aguiar, Alan Stolzer, Douglas D. Boyd

Publications

Flying over mountainous and/or high elevation terrain is challenging due to rapidly changeable visibility, gusty/rotor winds and downdrafts and the necessity of terrain avoidance. Herein, general aviation accident rates and mishap cause/factors were determined (2001–2014) for a geographical region characterized by such terrain.

Accidents in single piston engine-powered aircraft for states west of the US continental divide characterized by mountainous terrain and/or high elevation (MEHET) were identified from the NTSB database. MEHET-related-mishaps were defined as satisfying any one, or more, criteria (controlled flight into terrain/obstacles (CFIT), downdrafts, mountain obscuration, wind-shear, gusting winds, whiteout, instrument meteorological conditions; density altitude, dust-devil) cited …

The Shaping Of Things That Are: How Airplane Windows Took Their Shape, Morgan Lopez

Student Works

Have you ever wondered why your airplane's windows are rounded? It is not for aesthetic appeal.

The first commercial jetliner windows' sole purpose was appearance; a squared window afforded an impressive view of the earth, but the view was not without consequence.

Design Of Dc-Link Vscf Ac Electrical Power System For The Embraer 190/195 Aircraft, Eduardo Francis Carvalho Freitas, Nihad E. Daidzic

Journal of Aviation Technology and Engineering

A proposed novel DC-Link VSCF AC-DC-AC electrical power system converter for Embraer 190/195 transport category airplane is presented. The proposed converter could replace the existing conventional system based on the CSCF IDGs. Several contemporary production airplanes already have VSCF as a major or backup source of electrical power. Problems existed with the older VSCF systems in the past; however, the switched power electronics and digital controllers have matured and can be now, in our opinion, safely integrated and replace existing constant-speed hydraulic transmissions powering CSCF AC generators. IGBT power transistors for medium-level power conversion and relatively fast efficient switching are …

Vfr-Into-Imc: An Analysis Of Two Training Protocols On Weather-Related Posttest Scores, Julius C. Keller, Thomas Carney, Allen Xie, Wesley Major, Matt Price

Journal of Aviation Technology and Engineering

According to the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association Air Safety Institute, 264 accidents were identified as continued visual flight rules (VFR) into instrument meteorological conditions (IMC), during the past ten years. Approximately 89% of those VFR-into-IMC accidents were fatal, causing hundreds of deaths. VFR-into-IMC has been a major concern for the general aviation community, prompting focused efforts. Research, data analyses, outreach, training, and education are recommended practices to address risks associated with VFR-into-IMC. Researchers of the current study sought to evaluate the cause and effect relationship between two training protocols and weather-related posttest scores. A pretest–posttest experimental design was utilized …

Assessing Situation Awareness In Unmanned Aircraft Systems Operations, Haydee M. Cuevas, Marisa Aguiar

International Journal of Aviation, Aeronautics, and Aerospace

The objective of this study was to investigate the potential utility of the Situation Awareness Linked Indicators Adapted to Novel Tasks (SALIANT) methodology as an assessment tool in unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) operations. Eighteen participants completed a UAS scenario (port security) as part of nine two-person crews (pilot and sensor operator). Subject matter experts mapped the naturally occurring team behaviors in the UAS scenario to create a SALIANT checklist, which was then used to rate participants’ SA. Results showed the SALIANT methodology was able to discriminate differences in SA behaviors among the UAS crews. Results also revealed significant correlations between …

Detecting And Assessing Collision Potential Of Aircraft And Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems (Suas) By Visual Observers, Samuel M. Vance, Ryan J. Wallace, Jon M. Loffi, Jamey D. Jacob, Jared C. Dunlap, Taylor A. Mitchell

International Journal of Aviation, Aeronautics, and Aerospace

Visual observers are used to assist the Remote Pilot with maintaining sight of the unmanned aircraft as well as scanning the surrounding airspace for potential collision hazards. The purpose of this study was to examine the effectiveness of visual observers in detecting an intruding general aviation aircraft approaching the small unmanned aircraft system (sUAS) operations area. The study sought to determine the effectiveness of sUAS visual observers in detecting a general aviation aircraft collision hazard with a sUAS. Ten participants were asked to perform visual observer duties in support of a sUAS operation. Participants were asked to indicate when they …

Qualitative Analysis Of Loss Of Control Aircraft Accidents Using Text Mining Techniques, Carolina Anderson, Maryjo O. Smith

International Journal of Aviation, Aeronautics, and Aerospace

The purpose of this study was to analyze the narrative National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) accident cause descriptions for general aviation (GA) Loss of Control (LOC) accident reports by the different certification categories: Federal Aviation Regulations Part 23 (Part 23), Civil Air Regulations 3 (CAR 3), Light Sport Aircraft (LSA), and Experimental-Amateur Built (E-AB). Airworthiness certification categories represent a wide diversity of government oversight. Part 23 rules have evolved from the initial set of simpler design standards and have progressed into a comprehensive and strict set of rules to address the safety issues of the more complex airplanes within the …

Modeling The Use Of An Airborne Platform For Cellular Communications Following Disruptions, Stephen John Curran

Doctoral Dissertations and Master's Theses

In the wake of a disaster, infrastructure can be severely damaged, hampering telecommunications. An Airborne Communications Network (ACN) allows for rapid and accurate information exchange that is essential for the disaster response period. Access to information for survivors is the start of returning to self-sufficiency, regaining dignity, and maintaining hope. Real-world testing has proven that such a system can be built, leading to possible future expansion of features and functionality of an emergency communications system.

Currently, there are no airborne civilian communications systems designed to meet the demands of the public following a natural disaster. A system allowing even a …

Development And Investigation Of An Air Transportation Operations Safety Climate Scale, Matthew D. Roberts

Theses and Dissertations

Safety is of critical importance in many industries, and the US Air Force is no exception. Since 2005, the US Air Force has experienced more than 119 on-duty air and ground fatalities as well as 520 off-duty ground fatalities. One of the more dangerous environments in the U.S. Air Force and the civilian industry is air transportation operations where the fatal injury rate is higher than the national average. However, peer-reviewed safety research focusing on air transportation operations is practically non-existent, both in the military and civilian context. Therefore, safety research that helps us better understand how to shape safety …

A Prediction Model Of Airline Passenger Preference: Identifying Factors That Predict Passenger Preference Between Low Cost And Legacy Carriers., Rian Mahiar Mehta

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of the study was to identify factors that influence a commercial airline passenger’s preference between low-cost and legacy airline carriers. In turn a prediction model of passenger preference was created for American travelers. The study utilized a correlational design with linear multiple regression analyses as the statistical analyses to build the prediction model. The study was conducted in two stages utilizing two independent samples totaling 936 participants (379 females), all from the United States. Data from the first sample was used to create the regression equation for passenger preference. Data from the second sample was used to test …

A10 – Human Factors Considerations Of Uas Procedures And Control Stations: Tasks Pc-1 Through Pc-3 Pilot And Crew (Pc) Subtask, Recommended Requirements And Operational Procedures, Joseph Cerreta, Paul Snyder, Zachary P. Waller, Amanda Brandt, Timothy Bruner, Scott Kroeber, Andrea Meyer, Richard S. Standbury, Ronald Storm, Gary M. Ullrich, William Watson

Aviation Faculty Publications

The Alliance for System Safety of UAS through Research Excellence (ASSURE) conducted research focused on minimum pilot procedures and operational practices used by unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) operators today for the purpose of developing recommendations. This research recommends four pilot and 46 operational minimum procedures to operate a civil single-engine, fixed-wing, single-pilot-configured UAS flying in beyond visual line-of-sight (BVLOS) conditions. These recommendations are anticipated to support potential future aircrew procedure requirements for UAS larger than 55 lbs. operating in the National Airspace System (NAS). These procedures were validated using representative Control Stations in simulated environments.

The Study On Shanghai International Air Transportation Hub, Diandian Li

World Maritime University Dissertations

No abstract provided.

Thermal Conductance Measurement And Flexibility Enhancement Of Flexible Thermal Links, Matt Felt, Matt Sinfield, Brian Thompson, Matt Munns, K. Lloyd

Space Dynamics Laboratory Publications

Introduction

• Flexible thermal links provide a thermally conductive path with low mechanical stiffness

• Scope of this work is to characterize

– Uncertainty in thermal conductance measurements

– Compliance improvements gained by slitting foils

Effects Of Graphical Weather Information Versus Textual Weather Information On Situation Awareness In Meteorology, Stefan Melendez M.S.A., Andrew Dattel Ph.D., Christopher Herbster Ph.D., Debbie Schaum M.A., Andrey Babin

National Training Aircraft Symposium (NTAS)

Prior to a flight, pilots gather meteorological information in order to assess the weather conditions pertaining to their flight and to make decisions based on it. This information can come in various formats, such as text and graphical weather information. Research has shown that people have varying learning preferences and that most people prefer visual learning to verbal learning (i.e., graphical over text). It is hypothesized that this difference in learning preference can affect the way pilots interpret and apply the information they obtain prior to their flight. The researcher hypothesizes that graphical weather information has a greater, more positive …

Improving Instructor Quality Using The Conversation Analytic Role-Play Method (Carm), William A. Tuccio Ph.D.

National Training Aircraft Symposium (NTAS)

The audience will learn about Stokoe’s Conversation Analytic Role-play Method (CARM) (http://www.carmtraining.org) and how it has been used to study and improve talk-in-interaction in professional settings. CARM is a proven, research-based methodology which collects large volumes of recorded audio and/or video particular to a professional setting and then uses detailed transcription and conversation analysis to identify systematic patterns of interaction and problems thereof. Actual excerpts from the dataset are appropriately anonymized and used by facilitators in a workshop setting to create authentic role-play.

The presentation will explain how CARM has been applied to help improve flight instructor teaching …

An Alternative Method Of Identification Of A Failed Engine In Twin-Engine Turboprop Aircraft, Andrey Babin, Andrew R. Dattel Ph.D.

National Training Aircraft Symposium (NTAS)

Previous incidents and accidents involving twin-engine aircraft, including the recent TransAsia Flight 235 crash, have revealed that pilots are prone to mistakes in identifying the engine that fails, and subsequently, shutting down the wrong engine, i.e. perfectly working engine. Most accidents of this type happen on takeoff when pilot workload is at its highest level. It may be that the current training procedure for engine failures on takeoff, called identify-verify-feather (IVF), is counterintuitive and may lead to greater confusion. IVF is based on haptic sensory channel, which is known to be less effective than visual channel. This study proposes a …

Pilot Supply At The Regional Airlines: Airline Response To The Changing Environment And The Impact On Pilot Hiring, Becky Lutte

National Training Aircraft Symposium (NTAS)

Regional airlines facing pilot supply challenges have responded to the rapidly changing environment by increasing pay, adjusting lifestyle factors, and enhancing career pathway opportunities. The purpose of this research is to provide a current view of the status of airline hiring at regional airlines, given the changes in pay and other factors, and to explore the impact of increased pay on the airlines ability to meet hiring goals. Data for analysis was collected through interviews of pilot recruiting personnel from the 10 largest regional airlines. Preliminary results reveal that regional airlines are meeting hiring goals but airlines remain significantly challenged …

Adaptive Learning Pedagogy In Udl And Multi-Modal Training, Ziho Kang, Mattlyn R. Dragoo, Randa L. Shehab, Han Yuan, Lei Ding, Stephen G. West

National Training Aircraft Symposium (NTAS)

Currently, most learning methods are based on classroom teaching through unidirectional communication using boards or slides. However, the Universal Design for Learning (UDL) asserts that the students can increase their performance if the instructors can provide the students with diversified information representation, expression, and engagement means. Although UDL minimizes the mismatch between the teaching and learning styles, we lack the detailed methods to implement the UDL and its associated multi-modal training methods in the context of air traffic control candidates and/or technical operators. We propose an approach that adapts the Index of Learning Styles (ILS) based on four categories: perception, …

Combining Forces: Utilizing Expertise From Applied Linguistics And Flight Instruction For Better Atc Communications, Jennifer L. Roberts, Muhammad T. Omar

National Training Aircraft Symposium (NTAS)

ATC communications are a complex mix of FAA phraseology and plain English. The dynamic demands of a pilot’s workload, simultaneously operating the aircraft, managing checklists, and maintaining situational awareness, make this domain of communication particularly challenging for many non-native English speakers. The dramatic growth of aviation in regions of the world in which English is not the native language has increased the need for flight training organizations to address and manage language issues. This paper outlines a new initiative at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University to support flight students with the English language necessary for successful flight training. Two subject matter experts …

Necessary, But Not Sufficient: What Flight Training Organisations Teach Is No Longer Adequate For A Demanding Market That Needs ‘Captains Out-Of-The-Box', Michael J. Mylan

National Training Aircraft Symposium (NTAS)

Early 2017 one of the fastest growing low-cost Asian airlines posed a problem to the Aerudite™ consultancy.

“We are expanding faster than we can mature our first officers to command. We have no choice but to distil the command knowledge and maturity, traditionally attained through ten years of right-seat osmosis, into three years flat! We don’t plan to recruit MPL first officers. We plan to recruit CIWs - Captains-In-Waiting. And we want you to devise a training course - right now.”

To enjoy (or to suffer) such a rate of expansion, this airline ‘sticks to its knitting’ and outsources …

Pilot Control Design Influences On Pilot Monitoring Effectiveness Of Crew Resource Management In Airbus 320 Landings, Edwin Odisho

National Training Aircraft Symposium (NTAS)

The purpose of this paper is to examine the effects of Airbus flight control design on pilot perception of Crew Resource Management (CRM) in the landing phase of flight. Federal Aviation Administration Advisory Circular 120-71B: Standard Operating Procedures and Pilot Monitoring Duties for Flight Deck Crewmembers, published in January 2017, defines Pilot Monitoring (PM) responsibilities and potential barriers to PM effectiveness of these duties. The unique flight deck design of the A320 includes non-coupled, independently manipulated, side stick controllers, and non-moving autothrust levers. The combination of these design elements on the A320 flight deck presents unique challenges to the flight …

Visually Analyzing The Impacts Of Essential Air Service Funding Decisions, Rohan Kashuka, Chittayong Surakitbanharn, Calvin Yau, David S. Ebert

The Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship (SURF) Symposium

Essential Air Service (EAS) is a U.S. government subsidy program which ensures maintenance of commercial airline services in small deregulated communities. The program’s budget currently is around $250 million annually, which is used as subsidy for airlines to maintain a minimal level of scheduled air service in relatively smaller airports. It is evident that 2% of the FAA budget is being spent to maintain air service in smaller communities, but there is not enough evidence to prove that all the current decisions made by Congress about EAS are advantageous. To understand these decisions, 15 years of data produced by the …

Visual Detection Of Small Unmanned Aircraft: Modeling The Limits Of Human Pilots, Gregory Stephen Woo

Doctoral Dissertations and Master's Theses

The purpose of this study was to determine the key physical variables for visual detection of small, Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS), and to learn how these variables influence the ability of human pilots, in manned-aircraft operating between 60-knots to 160-knots in the airport terminal area, to see these small, unmanned aircraft in time to avoid a collision. The study also produced a set of probability curves for various operating scenarios, depicting the likelihood of visually detecting a small, unmanned aircraft in time to avoid colliding with it. The study used the known limits of human visual acuity, based on the …

Comparative Analysis Of Conventional Electronic And Oz Concept Displays For Aircraft Energy Management, Erik Reese Baker

Doctoral Dissertations and Master's Theses

A repeated-measures, within-subjects design was conducted on 58 participant pilots to assess mean differences on energy management situation awareness response time and response accuracy between a conventional electronic aircraft display, a primary flight display (PFD), and an ecological interface design aircraft display, the OZ concept display. Participants were associated with a small Midwestern aviation university, including student pilots, flight instructors, and faculty with piloting experience. Testing consisted of observing 15 static screenshots of each cockpit display type and then selecting applicable responses from 27 standardized responses for each screen.

A paired samples t-test was computed comparing accuracy and response time …

A Replication Study Of Personality Types Of Students In A Professional Pilot Baccalaureate Degree Program, Stephanie Gill Fussell

Doctoral Dissertations and Master's Theses

The personality types and learning styles of students have been studied in several populations, yet the research analyzing aviation students is lacking. A replication study assessed the distribution of personality types of students enrolled in the aeronautical science baccalaureate degree program at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University (ERAU). In addition, this study assessed aviation student learning styles. The Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) Form M and the Kolb Learning Style Inventory (KLSI) were used to analyze the personality types and learning styles, respectively. Selection ratio type tables compared the distribution of personality types of aviation students to the traditional college student sample and …

Economic Impact Of World Bank Aviation Investment In Pacific Island Countries, Cindy Greenman, Javad Gorjidooz

Publications

The World Bank Group (WBG) has provided grant and credits to support projects related to aviation and air transport including capacity building, policy and regulation, safety and security, infrastructure rehabilitation, and institutional strengthening for over 60 years. Today, the WBG remains actively engaged on aviation related project in every region of the world including the Pacific Island Countries. The purpose of this paper is to investigate the economic impact of WBG investments in aviation infrastructures in Pacific Island Countries. The preliminary results of this study show a serious deficiency in the areas of aviation infrastructure, safety and security, management efficiency, …

Examination Of The Impact Of Condensed Biofeedback Training On Acute Stress Responses, Meredith Carroll, Brent Winslow

Aeronautics Faculty Publications

The objective of this study was to measure the effects of a condensed 90 minute Biofeedback Training (BFT) method on stress response and decision making performance under stress. Forty one novice male participants received either BFT training, which incorporated diaphragmatic breathing with Stress Inoculation Training (SIT), or a control training task. Participants completed pre- and post-training assessments which incorporated a socio evaluative stress induction method followed immediately by performance of a simulation- based decision making under stress scenario. Stress was assessed using real-time physiological measures of the Autonomic Nervous System (ANS) response and cortisol measures of the Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Adrenal (HPA) axis …

Investigation Of Passengers’ Intentions To Use High-Speed Rail And Low-Cost Carriers In China, Jing Yu Pan

Doctoral Dissertations and Master's Theses

With a large population, China is an ideal market for high-speed rail (HSR) and low-cost carrier (LCC) services. While HSR has gained substantial market share in China over the past decade, LCCs have achieved only limited market penetration. The potential growth of LCCs in China, however, is promising given the growing travel demand and government policy support. As LCCs expand their service in the domestic market, they are likely to become a strong competitor of HSR. The potential competition between LCCs and HSR justifies the research of passengers’ behavioral intentions to use HSR and LCCs in China.

This research focused …

Consumers’ Willingness To Fly In Augmented Cognition Equipped Aircraft, Eric Schanafelt

Theses and Dissertations

Current advancements in the field of Augmented Cognition have garnered attention from the aviation industry. Equipping flight management systems with Augmented Cognition is a possibility in the near future as the result of recent computing breakthroughs. The purpose of this study was to determine to what extent gender, country of origin and condition of Augmented Cognition affect consumers willingness to fly. To further understand the consumer's decision-making process the participant’s willingness to fly measured through affect (emotion), represented through the six universal facial expressions, (anger, disgust, fear, happiness, sad, and surprise) (Ekman & Friesen, 1971). This study surveyed participants from …