Aviation Safety and Security Commons^™

Characterizing Air Traffic Density Using Nationwide Ads-B Data, Taeyun Yoo, Arjun Nambiar, Sang-A Lee

Discovery Day - Daytona Beach

This study addresses the increasing need to understand aircraft activity in low-altitude airspace, where emerging operations such as Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) and Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) are expected to heighten traffic complexity and safety risks. This research develops a scalable framework for constructing a nationwide, high-resolution, altitude-stratified airspace density atlas using Automatic Dependent Surveillance–Broadcast (ADS-B) data. The methodology incorporates large-scale data acquisition, terrain-referenced altitude normalization, and spatial aggregation using a hexagonal grid system, followed by statistical modeling to estimate traffic density across spatial and temporal dimensions. Preliminary results indicate the capability to generate detailed geospatial representations of aircraft activity, …

Advancing Runway Incursion Severity Prediction Through Tabular-To-Image Deep Learning, Bill Deng Pan, Yupeng Yang

Discovery Day - Daytona Beach

Runway incursions remain one of the most persistent safety challenges in modern aviation operations, often resulting from complex interactions among human, environmental, and operational factors. While existing Safety Management System (SMS) frameworks emphasize monitoring the frequency of incursions, they provide limited predictive capability regarding event severity. This ongoing study seeks to address that gap by applying a novel tabular-to-image deep-learning approach to improve the accuracy and interpretability of runway-incursion severity prediction models. Data for this study will be drawn from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Runway Safety Statistics and National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) accident databases. The methodology will involve …

Assessing Safety Culture Among Airport Operators Through Stakeholder Perceptions, Bill Deng Pan

Discovery Day - Daytona Beach

The effective implementation of Safety Management Systems (SMS) at airports depends not only on compliance with regulatory requirements but also on the presence of a strong and measurable safety culture. While the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)’s increasing emphasis on SMS has accelerated adoption across certificated airports, many airport operators, often coming from operational, engineering, or business backgrounds, lack practical methods to assess safety culture in a structured and actionable manner. Existing guidance highlights the importance of safety culture and safety climate. However, limited research exists on how airport stakeholders perceive and experience safety culture within the airport operating environment. This …

Applying The Hfacs Framework: A Case Study Of Air Florida Flight 90, Ashley Perez-Galvan, Cenk Altinkum, Ryan Hunt

Discovery Day - Daytona Beach

Applying the HFACS Framework: A Case Study of Air Florida Flight 90 Abstract   This study applies the Human Factors Analysis and Classification System (HFACS), a widely used safety framework for identifying human and organizational contributors to accidents to examine the crash of Air Florida Flight 90 crash on January 13, 1982. The accident occurred shortly after takeoff from Washington National Airport during severe winter weather, when the aircraft failed to gain sufficient lift and impacted a bridge before entering the Potomac River.   The goal this analysis is to understand how multiple layers of human and organizational factors contributed to this …

Human Factors And Passenger Survival In Aircraft Emergency Evacuations, Anjelysa Oleszewski, Adam Dvorak, Anthony Bulko, Christopher Lee, Nicholas Murphy

Discovery Day - Daytona Beach

In the event of an emergency where evacuation of the aircraft is necessary, passengers have 90 seconds to locate their nearest exit and egress as safely and quickly as possible. However, news outlets have reported multiple occurrences of passengers evacuating and taking their belongings with them during this decade. The root of this hazard occurs in multiple areas of flight, particularly during safety briefings and during emergency evacuations. The purpose of this project is to focus on improving passenger knowledge of safety features such as exit door locations through digital mediums and strengthen deliverance of life-saving information. The project shares …

Case Study - China Airlines Flight 006, Jaxon Daniels, Ryan Lutwin, Jacob Patterson, Elizabeth Bosan, Ronyn Orrell

Discovery Day - Daytona Beach

On February 19, 1985, China Airlines Flight 006, a regularly scheduled flight from Taipei, Taiwan, to Los Angeles, California, experienced a serious in-flight upset while cruising at high altitude. The aircraft subsequently entered a steep, uncontrolled spiral dive, during which it experienced extreme G-forces and sustained structural damage. After regaining control, the crew diverted the aircraft to San Francisco International Airport, where it landed safely (National Transportation Safety Board, 1986). The Human Factors Analysis and Classification System (HFACS) framework helps to identify and analyse the organizational elements and conditions that lead to aviation accidents (Small, 2020). Aviation accidents are not …

An Innovative Approach To Real-Time Noise Monitoring And Detection In Airport Ramp Operations, Grace Hamilton, Nicole E. Egan, Anderson Peralta, Deyaneira Rodriguez, Maria G. Valentinez

Discovery Day - Daytona Beach

Airport ramp personnel are routinely exposed to hazardous noise levels exceeding occupational safety thresholds, increasing the risk of permanent hearing loss, degraded communication, and operational incidents. Traditional ramp noise management relies primarily on periodic monitoring and personnel protective equipment (PPE), which limits real-time hazard recognition and a proactive risk mitigation strategy. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the safety and financial effectiveness of implementing a real-time noise monitoring and detection system within airport ramp operations in alignment with Safety Management System (SMS) principles. A literature review, Preliminary Hazard Analysis (PHA), and financial cost-benefit analysis were conducted to compare …

An Exploration Into Aviation Safety & Security In Nigeria, Hana Marz, Nicholas Degarmo, Kathrine Lopez, Michael Chrisman

Discovery Day - Daytona Beach

Aviation safety and security standards are fundamental for enabling the reliability and sustainability of aviation operations. Aviation safety and security are influenced by organizational and institutional standards, as well as the application of human factors principles. This paper aims to explore the regional variances of aviation safety and security culture within Nigeria. Nigeria has taken steps to align with international aviation standards, offering insight into how the region shapes its regulatory environment, organizational culture, and how cultural factors affect safety and security practices. However, Nigeria continues to face challenges such as inconsistent regulatory enforcement and limited safety reporting, which impact …

Design And Implementation Of Cyber Risk Management In The Indonesian Aviation Sector Based On Nist Csf And Iso/Iec 27002:2022, Annisa Aulia Budianti Qurota'aini, Ira Rosianal Hikmah, Yulial Hikmah

Jurnal Vokasi Indonesia

As technology usage increases, cyberspace in Indonesia has developed significantly, including in Vital Information Infrastructure (VII) sectors such as aviation. However, this advancement introduces potential cyber threats that can disrupt operations. This research aims to design a systematic cyber risk management framework for a navigation authority within the Indonesian aviation sector using the National Institute of Standards and Technology Cybersecurity Framework (NIST CSF) as the primary standard. This research also utilizes national aviation regulations, Center for Internet Security Controls (CIS Controls) v8.0, and ISO/IEC 27002:2022 as supporting frameworks. The research employs a qualitative descriptive approach, gathering data through field observations, …

Meeting The Moment With Ai-Employer Informed Education, Brent Terwilliger, John Faraca

Publications

As artificial intelligence transforms aviation, aerospace, and autonomy-related sectors, higher education must adapt to meet evolving workforce demands. This session shares emerging findings from a nationwide study led by Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, focused on employer perceptions of AI adoption, responsible use, and workforce preparedness in domains including uncrewed systems, space systems, robotics, and advanced air mobility. Based on a structured survey and follow-up interviews, the presentation explores how organizations are using AI tools, from generative platforms to enterprise systems, and defining effective and inappropriate use in operational contexts. Participants will gain insight into critical concerns (e.g., data privacy, compliance, security, …

Injuries And Accidents On Airport Ramps, Kavya Banarjee

Student Research Symposium (SRS)

Media coverage of aircraft incidents/accidents often triggers public scrutiny and heightened anxiety. But behind that are injuries and fatalities caused on the airport ramps; incidents like these are rarely covered by the media but pose just as much of a safety concern as an aircraft incident. This paper aims to inform aviation industry professionals and airline executives about the causes of incidents and accidents on the airport ramp; it also covers the importance of finding and implementing solutions for safety. The methodology for this paper focuses on research and analysis of publicly available information. Relevant data and perspectives were gathered …

Wings Of Perception: Investigating Customer Sentiments In Indian Aviation Sector, Yashodhan Karulkar, Kaiwan Vaghchhipawala, Aditya Trivedi, Anushree Talekar

Journal of International Technology and Information Management

India's aviation sector, a key contributor to the nation's economy, has experienced rapid growth, supporting nearly 7.5 million jobs and contributing approximately $30 billion annually to the GDP (Gross Domestic Product). The growth, driven by increased demand for air travel and government incentives, has resulted in more competition among carriers. In the competitive market, it is necessary to understand customer preferences to enhance the quality of service and maintain a competitive edge. The dissemination of customer opinions on social media and review platforms offers airlines the opportunity to access passenger views. However, extracting useful information from this unstructured data is …

Financial Risk Trends During Covid-19: A Comparative Analysis Of Three Major U.S. Airlines (2020-2022), Kamanda Mosongo

The Journal of Purdue Undergraduate Research

No abstract provided.

Examining The Relationship Between Title 14 Code Of Federal Regulations (Cfr) Part 147 Maintenance School Aviation Maintenance Technician (Amt) Instructor Experience And Instructor Pass Rates For Airmen Certification Standards (Acs) Element Subject Areas, Richard Lyman Johnson

Theses and Dissertations

This quantitative, correlational study examined the relationship between Aviation Maintenance Technician (AMT) instructor experience and student pass rates in 14 CFR Part 147 maintenance schools. Data were collected from February to August 2025 using purposive and snowball sampling, which yielded 67 complete responses. Instructor experience, measured in months of A&P-rated maintenance work prior to teaching, ranged from 1 to 684 months (M = 253.54, SD = 197.97). Student pass rates, defined as the proportion of students passing ACS element subject area courses, ranged from .52 to 1.00 (M = .95, SD = .07). Most instructors were male, White, over 50 …

A Technical And Statistical Analysis Of Unleaded Aviation Fuel (Ul94) Adoption In A High- Volume Collegiate Aviation Environment, Nicholas D. Wilson, Ryan Guthridge, Brandon Wild, Jeremy Roesler, Daniel Kasowski, Nick Geinert, Aaron Terbest, Aaron Fettig, Robert Kraus

Journal of Aviation Technology and Engineering

The University of North Dakota (UND) adopted unleaded aviation fuel (UL94) for approximately a four-month period in the summer and early fall of 2023. The UL94 fuel was used in all reciprocating engine fleets based at the university’s primary training airport, Grand Forks International Airport in North Dakota. During the operational implementation of UL94, the UND flew 46,600 flight hours, consuming 386,778 gallons of fuel across all fleets powered by Lycoming engines. After approximately two months of using UL94, operational reports and maintenance inspections began to indicate potential for exhaust valve seat recession (EVSR), although early indications were limited in …

Contributing Factors To Low Airspeed On Climb-Out As A Precursor To Loss Of Control In Flight, Owen D. Poborsky

Journal of Aviation Technology and Engineering

The nature of aviation is not without inherent risk. Conducting training flight operations increases these inherent risks. Flight data monitoring and voluntary safety action programs seek to reduce risk, as seen in their success at commercial airlines. These successes are slowly permeating into general aviation through programs such as the National General Aviation Flight Information Database (NGAFID). The NGAFID is a program funded by the Federal Aviation Administration that allows general aviation operators to have the ability to collect and share de-identified flight data on an aggregate level to identify trends and increase safety margins during flight operations. This study …

Comparative Analysis Of Loss Of Control Definitions, Owen D. Poborsky

Journal of Aviation Technology and Engineering

“Loss of control” (LOC) is a broad term in aviation used to describe an event or series of events that resulted in an accident or incident of an aircraft. Many definitions of LOC exist for aircraft while maneuvering on the ground and in the air. The purpose of this study is to synthesize the numerous LOC definitions found in the literature and from government and rulemaking organizations to better understand the importance of airspeed awareness as it relates to LOC events at low altitudes. Furthermore, emphasis shall be placed specifically on flight training within general aviation, as significant LOC statistical …

Essential Components For A Uas Standard Operating Procedure Manual For State Departments Of Transportation, Nurudeen Segun Lawal

All Theses

The integration of Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) within state Departments of Transportation (DOTs) has become increasingly essential for improving efficiency, safety, and regulatory compliance in transportation operations. However, the lack of a standardized approach to UAS program management has resulted in variability in policies, procedures, and implementation strategies across state agencies. This study examines how state DOTs incorporate the Association of Unscrewed Vehicle Systems International (AUVSI) Organizational Implementation Guide (OIG) 35 essential components into their UAS Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and identifies 13 additional components that address agency-specific operational, regulatory, and administrative needs. Through an analysis of publicly available SOPs …

An Msbe–Driven Advanced Air Mobility Post–Disaster Response System, Olabode A. Olanipekun

Graduate Theses and Dissertations (2019 - present)

In this work, an overarching conceptual design model towards the realization of a proposed Advanced Air Mobility Post–Disaster Response System (AAMPDR system) was explored through the focal lenses of systems thinking (ST), socio–technical systems (STS) and model–based systems engineering (MBSE) paradigms. Initially aimed at providing intervention for casualties and aerial support to emergency rescue workers on the ground in the event of a hurricane disaster around the Gulf shore of the Mobile bay area, Mobile city, AL., the scope of this research subsequently expanded to include a global outlook. Thereafter, culminating in the development of a generalized AAMPDR system model …

Drone In Sight: Studying The Rates Of Uas Sightings Near Airports By Month, November 2019 To December 2024, Ethan Akers, James Hart Arnold, Travis Coleman, Vivek Sharma, Brooke Wheeler

Aeronautics Student Publications

A weak, decreasing trend was found in monthly UAS (also

known as Unmanned Aerial Vehicle or Drone) sightings near

airports (FAA, 2025), but it was not statistically significant.

There was a significant difference in UAS sightings by month of

the year between November 2019 and December 2024, with a

more sightings in summer months.

Unleaded Aviation Fuel: Assessing Stakeholder Perceptions And Preparing An Organization For Change, Ryan Guthridge, Nicholas D. Wilson, Brandon Wild

Journal of Aviation Technology and Engineering

Since the Clean Air Act of 1996 banned the use of leaded fuel for automotive applications, leaded aviation gasoline (AVGAS) has become one of the leading sources of lead pollution in the nation due to the volume of AVGAS consumed in general aviation applications (GAMA, 2019). The Federal Aviation Administration has recently recognized this concern with the establishment of the Eliminate Aviation Gasoline Lead Emissions (EAGLE) initiative, which was formally established in February 2022 to foster an important campaign to research and inform the general aviation community on the process for transitioning to unleaded AVGAS. This essay seeks to inform …

U.S. Federal Aviation Administration Safety Management System Regulations: An Informal Policy Evaluation, Brian J. Roggow

Publications

The United States (US) Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) revised 14 CFR § Part 5 Safety Management Systems, effective May 28, 2024. US air carriers have one year to modify their existing Safety Management System (SMS), whereas commuter and on-demand operators, commercial air tour operators, certain production certificate holders, and certain holders of a type certificate must implement an SMS within three years. The sociopolitical and legal rule-making processes are complex. This research evaluates the most recently revised FAA SMS regulations through the lens of prevailing literature, theories, and standard practices. Policy assessments and evaluations by non-governmental stakeholders can further inform …

An Overview Of Aeronautical Occurrences Related To Safety In Brazil And The United States, Diogo Carlos Rodrigues, Giuliano Gardolinski Venson, Odenir De Almeida

Journal of Aviation Technology and Engineering

This essay presents a comparative analysis of the aeronautical occurrences registered in Brazil and in the United States from 2012 to 2021. The study was carried out through several segmentations of the occurrences and the aircrafts involved. Statistical data from the websites of Brazil’s Center for Investigation and Prevention of Aeronautical Accidents and the US National Transportation Safety Board was used for the comparative analysis. The evolution of the number of aircraft registered in each country was evaluated, and although the number of aircraft in the United States is much higher than in Brazil, the US occurrence rate is lower. …

Beyond The Blue Skies: A Comprehensive Guide For Risk Assessment In Aviation, Leila Halawi, Mark Miller, Sam Holley

Publications

Risk assessment in aviation is a critical process that safeguards the safety and reliability of operations. Aviation operations encompass inherent risks, from mechanical failures to human errors and environmental factors. The significance of these risks may be severe, leading to accidents, injuries, and loss of life. Recognizing and mitigating risks is supreme in this dynamic environment, where emerging technologies and innovation constantly reshape this industry. This chapter includes an in-depth explanation of risk management and analysis, leading to the core elements of risk assessment specifically for aviation operations. We will describe the process and explore some of the applications and …

Trends In Wildlife Strikes To Aircraft In Brazil: Implications For Airport Operators, Flavio A. C. Mendonca, Chenyu Huang, Julius Keller, Carolina Anderson

Journal of Aviation Technology and Engineering

Purpose. Brazilian airport operators face persistent challenges from wildlife hazards to aircraft operations, necessitating the development and implementation or review of existing wildlife hazard management plans. Enhancing airport operators’ ability to allocate resources effectively requires a deeper understanding of past wildlife strikes. This study aimed to provide empirical insights derived from the analyses of wildlife strike and aircraft operations data in Brazil to support accident prevention endeavors.

Design/methodology. The researchers utilized two main datasets: the Brazilian National Wildlife Strike Database and the annual reports on aircraft traffic operations published by the Brazilian Department of Airspace Control. For this study, wildlife …

The State Of Uas Operations At Airports, A Perspective From Airport Managers, Damon Lercel, Sarah M. Hubbard

Journal of Aviation/Aerospace Education & Research

As the number of Uncrewed Aircraft Systems (UAS) operating in our National Airspace System (NAS) increases, so do UAS operations near or at an airport. The accelerating technology in Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) and related business opportunities will only further increase UAS operations at airports. This continued growth in new UAS technologies and applications introduces new hazards and risks to the airport environment. This proliferation of UAS highlights the importance of airports developing a robust Safety Management System (SMS) that includes specific UAS risk mitigations. There is currently little empirical data regarding UAS traffic around airports and there is no …

Innovative Bird Strike Mitigation Strategies: Integrating Drones And Cutting-Edge Technologies To Enhance Airport Safety, Abdellah Hanine, Abdellah Elbarkany

International Journal of Aviation, Aeronautics, and Aerospace

Notwithstanding significant efforts to reduce the risk of bird strikes at and around airports, as well as advancements in technology, aviation safety continues to be threatened by this hazard. Our study of recent data shows a clear historical increase in accidents, therefore underscoring the flaws in present technologies. Although among the technologies in common use are radar, drones, cameras, and acoustic approaches, they are not always able to completely meet the challenging needs of bird strike risk mitigation. This approach creatively blends these four fundamental technologies by means of enhanced real-time data processing and targeted drone deployment. While providing more …

Navigating The Safety-Regulation Gap: Unraveling Systemic Challenges In Aviation Through Historical Accidents Analysis, Joshua Jackson

The Journal of Purdue Undergraduate Research

No abstract provided.

Air Supremacy, The Enabler Of Close Air Support Operations – An Evaluation Of Past, Present, And Future Air Campaigns., Owen Topolnicki

Senior Honors Theses

The achievement of gaining aerial supremacy, or lack thereof, is the hinge upon which Close Air Support (CAS) swings. The attainment of it enables CAS specialist aircraft, not unlike the Ju-87 Stuka or A-10 Thunderbolt II, to be exceptionally effective in their operating environment. While the lack of it, forces aircrews to pioneer new solutions either in the form of multi-role aircraft (capable of self-defense), or other innovative solutions similar to unmanned aerial systems (UAS’s), as aptly seen in the ongoing Russo-Ukrainian conflict. Thus, the ability of an air force to gain air supremacy and to do so quickly, …

Determining The Difference In Monthly Hazardous Uas Sightings Pre- And Post-Trust​, Jacob Daniel Anderson, Kyle Beane, Ethan Ryan Prins, Brooke Wheeler

Aeronautics Student Publications

Unmanned Aerial Systems (UASs) present a significant challenge to regulators. This study determined that there was no statistically significant difference in monthly UAS sightings before and after the implementation of TRUST.