Aviation Safety and Security Commons^™

Understanding Mental Wellness In Collegiate Pilots: The Interplay Of Fatigue, Sleep, And Health-Promoting Behaviors, Flavio Antonio Coimbra Mendonca, Samantha Bowyer, Carolina Anderson, Bill Deng Pan

Journal of Aviation Technology and Engineering

This study investigates patterns of fatigue severity, sleep hygiene, daytime sleepiness, and health-promoting lifestyle behaviors and examine the interrelationships among these factors in collegiate aviation students. Participants included undergraduate professional pilot students enrolled in a Code of Federal Regulations Part 141 four-year aviation degree program in the southeastern United States (N = 82).

Participants completed four validated self-report instruments: the Fatigue Severity Scale, the Sleep Hygiene Index, the Epworth Sleepiness Scale, and the Health-Promoting Lifestyle Profile II. Descriptive analyses were conducted to characterize the results of each assessment, and Pearson correlations and multiple regression analyses were performed to examine intervariable …

Fatigue Behavior Characterization Of Magnesium And Aluminum Alloys In Military Trainer Aircraft, Alysson Sousa Rabelo, José Aécio Gomes De Sousa, Feliciano José Ricardo Cangue, Luiz Leroy Thomé Vaughan

Journal of Aviation Technology and Engineering

The increasing demand for lightweight and durable materials in aviation industry necessitates continuous improvements in research into fatigue-resistant alloys to improve operational efficiency, safety, and cost-effectiveness. The estimation of the operational life of aeronautical structures is directly related to the study of their mechanical properties, particularly concerning fatigue behavior due to the constant exposure to cyclic loads. For this reason, the aeronautical sector often invests significant capital in research for the development of new alloys that enable high structural performance, lightness, low cost, high durability, and tolerance to environmental damage. Despite the advancements in composite materials, aluminum and magnesium alloys …

Integrating Human Factors, Technology, And Mental Health: A Mixed-Methods Framework For Aviation Maintenance Safety In The Philippines, Arthur Dela Peña

Journal of Aviation Technology and Engineering

A complex interaction of human factors, mental health, organizational dynamics, and emerging technologies influences aviation maintenance safety in the Philippines. This study aims to develop an integrated framework to address these aspects and reduce maintenance-related errors. Using a mixed-methods approach based on Creswell’s pragmatic paradigm, the research surveyed 200 participants, including aviation maintenance technicians (AMTs), supervisors, and managers, and conducted in-depth interviews and focus groups. Quantitative analysis revealed that fatigue was a significant contributor to maintenance errors, accounting for 45% of recorded incidents and exhibiting a strong correlation with error rates (r = 0.71, p = 0.005). Incorporating human factors …

Exploring The Reduction Of Runway Incursions Through Training, Vasilios (Billy) Constaintine Metallinos

Journal of Aviation Technology and Engineering

Runway incursions are prevalent aviation safety issues that result in adverse outcomes. The focus of this qualitative case study was exploring the reduction of runway incursions through training for pilots. Applying social cognitive theory (SCT) provided this study with a theoretical underpinning. Conducting interviews and a focus group with 17 participants allowed for the collection of enough data and resulted in identifying the importance of training in preventing runway incursions. Based on the thematic analysis conducted, it was identified that evidence-based, scenario-based, and continuous training can be used to reduce runway incursions caused by pilot deviations. The results contribute to …

A Framework For Test Planning Of A Vision System Supporting Aerial Refueling, Jonathon K. Parry, Donald H. Costello, Michael D. M. Kutzer, Charles J. Doherty, Sarah M. Hubbard

Journal of Aviation Technology and Engineering

This essay presents a framework for evaluating a computer vision system providing perception for an uncrewed aircraft completing the automated air-to-air refueling (A3R) task. As the Department of Defense acquires capabilities that exhibit increasing levels of autonomy, the test and evaluation community must adapt the current framework to provide airworthiness officials the information required to accurately access the risks associated with the system underdoing testing. Following a brief introduction to A3R, this essay lays out a testing framework that leverages dendritic analysis and effectively deconstructs the critical issue into measurable data elements that can be used to support test and …

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 …

Research Synthesis Of Predicting Part 135 Accident Probability In Aviation: How The Bayesian Brain Ignores Declining Safety Standards, Jonathan R. Clarke

Journal of Aviation Technology and Engineering

Technological innovation has had an enormous effect on safety in aviation. However, in Part 135 operations, where technology is not as ubiquitous, the accident rates have plateaued. Human error is constantly misrepresented as being responsible for 70–80 percent of accidents, when it is clearly only one of several contributing factors. In commercial aviation, all accidents should be considered organizational failures, because by definition all defensive layers have been breached. Organizational failure, as it affects safety, should be identifiable and predictable from organizational behavior. Inevitably, in the aftermath of accidents the warning signs of poor behavior are seemingly obvious, yet there …

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 …

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 …

Occupational Safety Culture In Modern Aviation Maintenance, Sang-A Lee

Journal of Aviation Technology and Engineering

Aviation maintenance is paramount to the safety and efficiency of global air travel. Disturbingly, 2022 data revealed an unprecedented surge in severe injuries among aircraft maintenance technicians in the United States, prompting renewed scrutiny of the aviation maintenance occupational safety culture. In light of these developments, a systematic literature review was conducted to discern the influential factors shaping this safety culture, especially considering the industry’s rapid technological advancements. The review process involved meticulous key word searches, stringent article selection criteria, and qualitative data analysis software to interpret findings. From the synthesis of 35 peerreviewed articles, nine pivotal constructs emerged: (1) …

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. …

Designing An Interactive Application To Prevent Runway Incursion: A Systems Engineering Approach, Yixuan Cheng, Dahai Liu, Dennis Vincenzi, Donald S. Metscher

Journal of Aviation Technology and Engineering

Runway incursion is a leading cause of serious incidents and accidents at airports. A common cause of runway incursions is unfamiliarity with the airport layout. To address this, we designed an electronically interactive application intended as a practice tool for pilots during flight preparation. The aim of this application is to improve pilots’ familiarity with airports, ultimately helping to reduce runway incursions, with the goals of being interactive, affordable, easily accessible, and designed for use on mobile devices. We applied a systems engineering approach that adheres to human factors engineering principles to ensure user-friendly design and optimization of the interaction …

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 …

Smart Airports: Artificial Intelligence–Enabled Internet Of Things Networks Using Blockchain Technology, Edwin Ongola

Journal of Aviation Technology and Engineering

This article provides a perspective on how an internet of heterogeneous self-service airport terminal systems can be used for data collection, which is stored on a private or consortium blockchain depending on the ownership or operations of an airport or both. Such a setup would help to increase efficiency, reduce costs, and improve traveler experience at airport terminals. Moreover, it would allow airports to gather data directly from passengers as opposed to waiting to receive the same data from airlines. Subsequently, this data, now on a blockchain system, becomes a data source for other applications such as machine learning. In …

Energy Safety Management: A Training Model To Improve Flight Safety, Juan R. Merkt, Matthijs H. J. Amelink, David G. Sizoo

Journal of Aviation Technology and Engineering

Failing to properly manage an airplane’s energy state can be unforgiving. Mismanagement of mechanical energy (altitude and/or airspeed) is a contributing factor to three common types of fatal accidents in aviation: loss of control in flight, approach and landing accidents, and controlled flight into terrain. Recognizing the importance of energy management, the Federal Aviation Administration has incorporated new elements into the Airman Certification Standards, emphasizing knowledge of energy management concepts and the consequences of mishandling an airplane’s energy state. Unfortunately, no adequate guidance has been available in terms of defining key energy management concepts or suggesting how these should be …

Deficiencies In Safe Practices By Pilots Operating General Aviation Aircraft In Weather Conducive For Icing, Douglas Boyd Phd, Thomas Guinn Phd

Journal of Aviation Technology and Engineering

Introduction: Flights of general aviation aircraft in icing conditions pose safety hazards especially since few airplanes are equipped with ice protection systems (FIKI). Herein, we sought to answer the following questions not previously addressed: (i) Has the general aviation icing-related accident rate declined over time? (ii) Which phase(s) of flight lead(s) to the highest fraction of fatal accidents? (iii) Do general aviation pilots adhere to safe practices when operating in forecasted icing?

Methods: Retrospectively, icing-related accidents were per the National Transportation Safety Board database. Prospectively, non-FIKI single-engine airplanes, operating in forecasted icing, were tracked (January–March 2023) using FlightAwareR. Presumptive icing …

A Qualitative Ethnographic Case Study Exploring The Hispanic/Latinx Interpretations Of Collegiate Aviation Safety Culture, Jorge L. D. Albelo Ph.D., Leo G. Acosta, Flavio A. C. Mendonca Ph.D., Eugene Kim, Felipe Almodovar

Journal of Aviation Technology and Engineering

Through a combination of ethnographic principles and a qualitative case study structure, this study strives to understand how Hispanic/ Latinx aviation students perceive the current aviation safety culture in their flight training program. Grounded in the reciprocal safety culture model, the researchers attempt to answer how does Hispanic/Latinx culture influence perceptions towards commitment to aviation safety? and what are Hispanic/Latinx students’ perceptions of their ability to influence aviation safety culture? Three major themes emerged from the data: behavioral signs of safety culture at the collegiate level, obstacles to a sound safety culture, and methods to improve the safety culture. Moreover, …

Covid-19: Visualized Qualitative Aviation Research Themes, Chien-Tsung Lu, Huabo Sun

Journal of Aviation Technology and Engineering

The purpose of this study is to review pandemic-related publications that help the aviation industry cope with pandemic outbreaks like that of COVID-19. Published documents were searched and downloaded from academic libraries including Web of Science for a qualitative analysis. After the triangulation of publications for decisionmakers, and researchers, all important research clusters were visually generated based on the VOSviewer process. Some research clusters were further discussed for a thorough understanding of existing research perspectives. The result discovered that wearing a face mask and vaccination have been the two most effective means to counteract pandemic outbreaks. Additional findings were extracted …

A Comparison Of Airport Risks: Unmanned Aircraft Systems (Uas) Sightings, Wildlife Strikes, And Runway Incursions, Cheng Wang, Sarah M. Hubbard

Journal of Aviation Technology and Engineering

To provide a context for the potential threat of unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) sightings on airport operations, this paper compares the characteristics of UAS sightings with two common airport threats: wildlife strikes and runway incursions. This study analyzed over 60,000 events in a three-year period (September 2016 to August 2019), including 6,551 UAS sightings from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) UAS Sightings Report database, 47,574 wildlife strikes from the FAA Wildlife Strike database, and 6,041 runway incursions from the FAA Runway Safety database. The results suggest both similarities and differences among the airport threats. Both UAS sightings and wildlife strikes …

Safety Management Of Wildlife Hazards To Aviation: An Analysis Of Wildlife Strikes In Part 139 Airports In Florida 2011–2020, Tiago Dikerts De Tella, Flavio A. C. Mendonca

Journal of Aviation Technology and Engineering

Purpose: The purpose of this study was threefold: (1) to investigate wildlife strike reporting trends in Part 139 airports in the state of Florida (2011–2020); (2) to evaluate the existence of a difference in the rate of reported wildlife strikes between the seasons of the year (2011–2020); and (3) to develop information based upon the data analyzed that can be used for the safety management of wildlife hazards in Florida.
Design/methodology: The researchers in this study answered the research questions through the analyses, revision, and evaluation of existing wildlife strike and aircraft operations data. The data analyzed in this …

Adherence To Selected Air Carrier (Airline) Operational Regulations For Improved General Aviation Flight Safety In Degraded Visibility, Douglas D. Boyd, Mark T. Scharf

Journal of Aviation Technology and Engineering

Introduction: General aviation largely comprises fixed-wing piston-engine light aircraft (,12,500 lbs). Unfortunately, this civil aviation sector suffers a vastly inferior safety record when compared with air carriers (60- to 80-fold higher accident rate). Additionally, such mishaps pose a considerable financial burden to both the affected family and the United States: US$1.64–4.64 billion annually. We hypothesize that this safety disparity partly reflects more stringent operational regulations for air carriers. Herein, we determined whether compliance with six selected air carrier regulations could potentially reduce general aviation accidents in degraded visibility (IMC) the majority of which are fatal. Methods: Accidents (2005–2019) were identified …

Qualitative Findings From The Practice Of Outsourcing By The Aviation Technical Services Industry In Northern Europe: Comparison With Literature, Jukka Holkeri

Journal of Aviation Technology and Engineering

The outsourcing of maintenance and other technical services is a trend in both military and civil aviation. This article uses input from real outsourcing cases in Northern Europe to verify previous literature findings and to introduce new viewpoints to fill an identified research gap.

Interviews of deeply involved individuals from six cases were selected and analyzed using the Delphi method. The findings were synthesized using a framework that articulates contexts, observed outcomes, and generative mechanisms.

Many of the key literature findings were verified by this case analysis, but there were also some contradictions and new observations that had not been …

Assessing Unstabilized Approaches: A Phenomenology Study Of The Risk Perceptions And Decision-Making Thought Process Of Collegiate Aviation Pilots, Shlok Misra, Jorge L.D Albelo, Victor Fraticelli Rivera

Journal of Aviation Technology and Engineering

The Federal Aviation Administration emphasized the need to focus on and develop human factors training as early as 1993 in official Human Factors Policy Order 9550.8. The purpose of this study was to conduct a detailed qualitative phenomenological analysis of the risk perceptions and decision-making model of collegiate aviation pilots for unstabilized approaches. The study focused on understanding how collegiate aviation pilots perceive unstable approaches, the risk associated with unstable approaches, and the factors that trigger pilots to execute a go-around. The International Air Transportation Association warns that continuing an unstabilized approach can lead to runway excursions, hard landings causing …

Characteristics Of Unmanned Aircraft System (Uas) Sightings And Airport Safety, Cheng Wang, Sarah M. Hubbard

Journal of Aviation Technology and Engineering

This paper presents the characteristics of unmanned aircraft system (UAS) sightings and discusses these characteristics in the context of airport safety using airport operational data. An unmanned aircraft in the vicinity of a commercial airport may be a potential threat to aircraft operations, and may result in operational and economic impacts if it causes an airport delay or shutdown. To ensure a record of UAS activity, the Federal Aviation Administration collects and publishes a UAS Sightings Report. This study analyzed UAS sightings and found that they vary by time of year and time of day, with more sightings in the …

Female Relief Systems In U.S. Military Fighter Ejection Seat Aircraft, Marian C. Schultz, James T. Schultz, Joshua J. Schultz

Journal of Aviation Technology and Engineering

In early aircraft, the amount of fuel the aircraft could carry usually determined how long it could stay in flight. Today, with aircraft being able to air refuel, the time they are able to stay aloft is based more on human needs, one being waste management. Voiding urine in a single-seat ejection seat aircraft has been an issue for male pilots in the past, but with the increasing numbers of female pilots in single-seat aircraft, finding a solution has intensified. This paper reviews the various methods that are available for both male and female pilots, including the newest method which …

Fatigue And Its Management In The Aviation Industry, With Special Reference To Pilots, Rajee Olaganathan, Timothy B. Holt, Jackie Luedtke, Brent D. Bowen

Journal of Aviation Technology and Engineering

Abstract Fatigue is a significant contributing factor that reduces human ability and leads to accidents and threatens the safety of aircraft and human lives. Approximately 70% of fatal accidents that occur in commercial aviation operations are due to human factors. More specifically, crew fatigue contributes to nearly 15 to 20% of the accidents (Akerstedt, 2000). These accidents and incidents are associated with pilot fatigue because of the long duty periods, disruption of circadian rhythms, and inadequate sleep that are common among both commercial and military pilots. Though fatigue is seen in all the disciplines associated with the aviation industry, this …

Changing The Process In Educational Field And Air Navigation Through Advances In Hologram Technology, Camilo Fernandez Sr.

Journal of Aviation Technology and Engineering

The objective of this piece is to propose reasons that change the way air traffic controllers and others learn and work in air navigation, but also how they can improve workloads, due to the implementation of holographic radar. This research also aims to describe how this could reduce the cognitive load of an operator, thanks to the improvement of visual perspective and capacity of analysis, in order to more easily control an aircraft.

Seeing that the visual facilitation is well known, radar is able to represent in three dimensions and in detail that which could not previously be perceived. This …

An Hfacs Analysis Of German F-104 Starfighter Accidents, Steven Esser, Hans-Joachim K. Ruff-Stahl

Journal of Aviation Technology and Engineering

From 1961 onwards, Germany acquired 916 Lockheed F-104 Starfighters, of which 292 aircraft crashed and 116 pilots lost their lives. The purpose of this research project was to find out why these aircraft crashed and whether the Starfighters crashed for reasons different from those for other military aircraft in Germany. Seventy-one German F-104 accidents between 1978 and 1986 were analyzed by reviewing the original accident files. A Human Factors Analysis and Classification System (HFACS) Level-1 analysis was used as methodology. It was found that more than 50% of the reviewed German F-104 accidents occurred due to technology and/or physical environment. …

Modeling Land And Hold Short Operations: Balancing Safety And Arrival Rate, Kenneth A. Ward, Heather Owen-Perry

Journal of Aviation Technology and Engineering

Many airports conduct simultaneous operations on intersecting runways to increase the rate of takeoffs and landings. This requires landing aircraft to hold short of the intersecting runway, which incurs a safety risk of runway incursions in the process. A Monte Carlo simulation was conducted to analyze the traffic load at maximum operational capacity at Charlotte-Douglas International Airport in order to analyze the fleet types and the rate of those landing aircraft unable to stop short of the intersecting runway. The researchers used the actual and four alternative compositions of the subject airline’s aircraft arrivals, interspersed among other airport traffic, to …