Aviation Commons^™

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

Honors Program Theses and Projects

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

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

Libraries Faculty and Staff Creative Materials

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

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

Honors Program Theses and Projects

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

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

International Journal of Aviation, Aeronautics, and Aerospace

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

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

Journal of Aviation Technology and Engineering

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

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

Journal of Aviation Technology and Engineering

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

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

International Journal of Aviation, Aeronautics, and Aerospace

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

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

Airline Quality Rating Report

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

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

Thinking Matters Symposium Archive

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

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

Engineering and Technology Management Student Projects

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

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

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

Doctoral Dissertations and Master's Theses

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

Airport Passenger Processing Technology: A Biometric Airport Journey, Vishra Patel

Doctoral Dissertations and Master's Theses

A passenger's traveling journey throughout the airport is anything but simple. A passenger goes through numerous hoops and hurdles before safely boarding the aircraft. Many airports today are implementing isolated solutions for passenger processing. Some of these technologies include automated self-service kiosks and bag tag, self-service bag drop-off, along with automated self-service gates for boarding and border control. These solutions can be integrated with biometric systems to enhance passenger handling. This thesis analyzes the current passenger processing technology implemented at airports around the world and their associated challenges that passengers face. A new passenger processing technology called a biometric single …

Profitability And Financial Performance Indicators In U.S. Airports - A Preliminary Investigation, Abbas Shaban

Doctoral Dissertations and Master's Theses

Airport profitability is fundamental for all airports around the world. To this effect, this study examines factors affecting airport profitability such as the number of passengers, the number of landings and take-offs, cargo (lbs), airport debt, the size of the airport, and the terminal utilization. Most of the large and medium hub airports in the U.S are considered in this study, and regression analysis is used to analyze the data.

The results of this study show that factors examined are statistically significant when measuring airport profitability, which in turns could suggest that airports with high values in most of these …

Safety Return On Investment (Roi): The Broader Adoption Of Rotorcraft Cfit-Avoidance Technology, Isaac Nderitu Munene

Doctoral Dissertations and Master's Theses

This dissertation provided a method of estimating the potential return on investment (ROI) that could be achieved if operators were to adopt the readily available controlled flight into terrain (CFIT) avoidance technology more broadly. Previous research explored the costs and benefits of different safety initiatives but did not evaluate from an operators’ perspective. For the operators, a private ROI that excludes societal costs and benefits was therefore considered the suitable metric. For the rotorcraft industry, the ROI estimation methodology was not readily available, and this study sought to fill that gap. The purpose of this study was to estimate the …

Airline Customer Satisfaction 2015-2017 Results, Michelle M. Bennett, Brent D. Bowen, Erin E. Bowen, Z. Bowen, Dean Headley, Timothy B. Holt, Jacqueline R. Luedtke

Publications

Previous research on perceptions, satisfaction, and attitudes regarding the major commercial air carriers in the United States has provided little more than an interesting descriptive representation of the average air traveler. This study moves beyond basic descriptive information of air travelers to identify attitudinal patterns and relationships in the way consumers at varying levels of travel frequency view the commercial air industry. The Airline Passenger Survey (APS) elements developed via the utilization of rigorous scientific methodology, with the intention of capturing the most important data from passengers while reducing confusion or variability in comprehension of questions. APS items are a …

Effects Of Verbal Vs Graphical Weather Information On A Pilots Decision-Making During Preflight, Warren Phillip Pittorie

Theses and Dissertations

Before a general aviation pilot conducts a flight, they obtain a preflight weather briefing that shares information on possible hazards along the intended route of flight. These preflight weather briefings are typically obtained either verbally, via a narrative delivered over a telephone, or visually, where graphical and textual information is presented on a computer or tablet display. This study compared verbal and graphical/textual weather briefings in a within-subjects study that altered the order in which participants received each format. Thirty-six participants were given a survey that contained two flight scenarios, each with specific weather scenarios and a specific briefing format. …

Building Small Commercial Airport Clusters To Increase Marketing Capability, Dixie Button Phd, Rachel M. Vigness, Patti Clark

Publications

Building Small Commercial Airport Clusters to Increase Marketing Capability was presented at MBAA International, Chicago, IL in April, 2018.

Discovering The Data Of Safety: Embry-Riddle’S Aviation Safety And Security Archives, Melissa Gottwald, Michelle M. Bennett, Brent D. Bowen, Erin E. Bowen, Jordan I. Brown, Ed J. Coleman, Timothy B. Holt, William D. Waldock

Publications

The path to the sky and beyond has not been simple or obstacle-free, but dedicated dreamers have worked to overcome obstacles, learn from mishaps, and develop new technologies to achieve their goals. As the leading university for aviation and aerospace education, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University maintains a firm commitment to the practice and study of safety. As part of this mission, the university has established the Aviation Safety and Security Archives (ASASA) which is a national treasure of aviation safety history and information.

Single Axis Stability Autonomous Glider Control, Brian Study

Student Works

To investigate and increase knowledge on autonomous control systems, an autonomous glider was fitted with a control system with the purpose of creating a craft that would be capable of maintaining a wings level condition despite perturbations to the trim condition. The glider measures bank angle and roll rate information from an accelerometer and gyro, before it relays the data to an equipped microcontroller. Programmed on the microcontroller is a control law to take the input from the sensors and issue a command to a single servo that controls both ailerons, allowing for the vehicle to autonomously correct its bank …

Pilots’ Likelihood To Quit Flying In Part 121 Commercial Aviation, Gajapriya Tamilselvan

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of the study was to develop a statistical model representing predictors to anticipate pilots’ likelihood to quit flying in Part 121 Commercial Aviation. The study was primarily focused on the current Part 121 pilots in the United States. The study was designed with a correlational methodology and multiple linear regression was employed as the statistical procedure to analyze the data collected from diverse sources. The sample of the study consists of 163 participants (33 females), and all of them currently working for either major or regional airline in the United States respectively. Simultaneous regression strategy was used to …

Characteristics Of Helicopter Accidents Involving Male And Female Pilots, Scott S. Burgess, Robert O. Walton, P. Michael Politano

International Journal of Aviation, Aeronautics, and Aerospace

Studies examining aviation accidents have not found differences in accident rates by gender, though there may be gender differences in the types of accident. Baker, Lamb, Grabowski, and Rebok (2001) examined fixed-wing aviation accident rates of male and female private pilots and found that males were more likely to have accidents related to inattention or poor planning while female pilots were more likely to have accidents due to mishandling the aircraft. This research analyzed the National Transportation Safety Board’s aviation accident database system to examine the severity of injury and aircraft damage in rotary-wing (helicopter) accidents by gender. The data …

Marketing Analysis Of Scholarly Journals In A Social World, Hunter Watson

Discovery Day - Prescott

The next methodology to the Airline Quality Rating (AQR) Social Media metrics is to determine if scholarly platforms for future use can benefit the AQR. The AQR authored by Dr. Brent Bowen and Dr. Dean Headley introduced the Airline Quality Rating (AQR) in 1993 as an objective method for comparing and scoring airline performance in areas deemed to be important for consumers. The quantitative metrics from utilizing new marketing techniques have increased the audience members attracted to this report. With a digitalized driven society, social media has been the main benefactor in gaining new attention. Continuing on the process to …

A Longitudinal Analysis On The Cyclical Pattern Of The Us Airline Industry, Michelle Bennett

Discovery Day - Prescott

The Airline Quality Rating (AQR) is the nation’s most comprehensive study of airline performance and quality for over two decades. The AQR sets the industry standard, providing consumers and industry watchers a way to compare performance quality among different US airlines using objective performance-based data (Bowen and Headley, 2014). The quantitative weighted average is computed monthly for every airline and divided by the sum of the weight to create the index. Criteria weighted in this formula include baggage handling, customer complaints, denied boarding and on time arrivals. This research employs the application of a longitudinal analysis methodology resulting in finding …

Managing Supply Discrepancies: The Effect Of Performance Measurement And Feedback On Order Fulfillment Quality, Michael J. Weber

Theses and Dissertations

Extensive research on the impact of shipping and packaging errors in the private sector finds numerous negative outcomes, including reduced customer satisfaction, reduced customer loyalty, and lower profitability. However, little research has been done examining the impact of order fulfillment errors on military operations. The purpose of this research is to quantify the impact of supply discrepancy reports (SDRs) on military aircraft readiness metrics, including cannibalizations, not mission capable supply (NMCS) hours, aircraft availability and MICAP hours. Results show SDRs significantly impact aircraft readiness metrics in seven of the fifteen analyses conducted. Additionally, a quasi-experimental study is implemented at DLA …

United States Air Force Applications Of Unmanned Aerial Systems: Modernizing Airfield Damage Assessment, Samuel M. Clark

Theses and Dissertations

Modernizing airfield damage assessment has long been a priority mission at the Air Force Civil Engineer Center (AFCEC). Previously, AFCEC has made advances to expedite unexploded ordnance (UXO) neutralization and pavement repair. Missing from these initiatives is the initial assessment component. This thesis expands the idea of using Small Unmanned Aerial Systems (SUAS), applies it to the Air Force mission, and provides SUAS vehicle configuration and sensor recommendations. In this study, 25 civil engineer officers reviewed airfield imagery gathered using two small air vehicles. For the first review, participants attempted to identify UXOs and foreign object debris (FOD) in a …

Building Evidence The Federal Aviation Administration's Uas Safety Strategy Needs Improvement, Ryan J. Wallace, Tom Haritos, John Robbins

International Journal of Aviation, Aeronautics, and Aerospace

The growth of unmanned aircraft operations within the National Airspace System (NAS) reveal an uptick of alarming safety indicators that suggest unmanned aircraft system (UAS) regulatory policy may require adjustment. Recent reports of aircraft collisions with UAS, an increase in pilot-reported near-misses, and research findings that indicate UAS platforms are capable of causing structural damage to aircraft suggest safe and effective UAS integration may not be proceeding as planned. The authors examine several safety indicators within the context of Heinrich’s Triangle to reveal the UAS industry’s susceptibility to evolving safety-related problems.

Flightline Heroics And The Façade Of A Healthy Common Support Equipment Fleet, Benjamin D. Bobic

Theses and Dissertations

Access to serviceable support equipment enables aircraft maintenance crews the ability to efficiently keep assigned aircraft safe and mission capable. Current Air Force policy does not require formal management and enterprise fleet health reporting of serialized support equipment. As such, articulating funding requirements to replace equipment has been a challenge for equipment managers. To better articulate support equipment requirements, equipment managers need quantifiable support equipment data. A previous study examined the relationship between aircraft availability and support equipment availability. While finding no significant correlation, the author identifies the practices of "Frankensteining" and "Beg-Borrow-Steal" as possible reasons for the absence of …

Enhanced, Risk-Based Faa Oversight On Part 145 Maintenance Practices: A Qualitative Study, Bryan G. Sheehan, Timm J. Bliss, Chad L. Depperschmidt

Journal of Aviation Technology and Engineering

The purpose of this qualitative study was to examine the phenomenon of enhanced, risk-based Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) oversight of Part 145 repair stations in Oklahoma that performed aircraft maintenance for Part 121 air carriers. Specifically, this research was utilized to explore the lived (personal) experiences of Part 145 repair station managers concerning operational changes in air carrier maintenance practices. The researchers’ intent was not to examine the effectiveness of changes implemented by the FAA; instead, to explore how management has experienced the enhanced changes in their Oklahoma-based Part 145 repair stations. Forty-two percent of the participants indicated a weak …

2018 Oklahoma Research Day Guide Book, Southwestern Oklahoma State University

Oklahoma Research Day Abstracts

This is the 2018 Oklahoma Research Day Guide Book. This book does not contain abstracts.

General Aviation Pilots' Strategies To Mitigate Bird Strikes, Flavio Coimbra Mendonca Mr, Thomas Q. Carney

Purdue Road School

To date, a few operational efforts have been launched by the FAA to mitigate wildlife strikes away from the airport jurisdiction, and those do not include actions by general aviation (GA) pilots. This presentation explores the safety training of GA pilots using aeronautical decision-making concepts as a strategy to mitigate the risk of mishaps due to birds. Previous research, the FAA Serial Report #22, and final reports of GA aircraft accidents due to birds will be covered.