Research papers

Manned Versus Unmanned Aircraft Accidents, Including Causation and Rates

Many consider aircraft reliability a primary deterrent to the further integration of unmanned aircraft into civil airspace. Discussions of unmanned aircraft reliability often include comparisons of accident rates of medi…

Language-Related Communications Challenges in General Aviation Operations and Pilot Training

English is the basis for aviation communications worldwide creating challenges for both native and non-native English speakers. An unfortunate outcome of language-related communications issues, whether indirectly or dire…

Mental Health in Commercial Aviation - Depression & Anxiety of Pilots

Two landmark accidents invigorated the discussion regarding pilot mental health. Other incidents may also have a mental health component that is related to, but not the direct cause of, the event.

Assessing Situation Awareness in Unmanned Aircraft Systems Operations

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) oper…

Effects of Graphical Weather Information versus Textual Weather Information on Situation Awareness in Meteorology

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.

An Alternative Method of Identification of a Failed Engine in Twin-Engine Turboprop Aircraft

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, sh…

Pilot Supply at the Regional Airlines: Airline Response to the Changing Environment and the Impact on Pilot Hiring

Regional airlines facing pilot supply challenges have responded to the rapidly changing environment by increasing pay, adjusting lifestyle factors, and enhancing career pathway opportunities.

Pilot Control Design Influences on Pilot Monitoring Effectiveness of Crew Resource Management in Airbus 320 Landings

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.

Integration of Military Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) into the US National Airspace System: The Relationship Between UAS Accidents and Safety Concerns

The purpose of this study was to discover if a relationship existed between the most common safety concerns and the most common UAS accidents with regards to the integration of military unmanned aerial systems (UAS) into…

Position Paper: Safety Culture: Why the FAA Should Consider Adapting the WINGS Pilot Proficiency Program as a Method of Remote Pilot Recertification

The FAA’s release of 14 CFR 107 establishes a new Remote Pilot certification for operation of small unmanned aircraft system (UAS) platforms.

Mid Morning Concurrent Sessions: Human Factors: Human Error and Cockpit Automation: Presentation: Accident-Precipitating Factors for Crashes in Turbine-Powered General Aviation Aircraft

General aviation (14CFR Part 91) accounts for 83% of civil aviation fatalities. While much research has focused on accident causes/pilot demographics in this aviation sector, studies to identify factors leading up to the…

Early Morning Concurrent Session: Leadership/Innovation/Aerospace Technology/Applications: Presentation: Perception of safety culture for Air Traffic Controllers in Korea

Growing need for air travel in the Asia-Pacific has resulted in increased demand for aircraft services, airspace and runway congestion deepening.

Early Afternoon Concurrent Panel Sessions: The Evolution and Future of the Aircraft Maintenance Industry: Presentation: Hindrances to SMS Implementation in Aviation Maintenance Organizations

In the Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) Flight Plan, published for fiscal years 2009-2013, the FAA documents the promotion of Safety Management Systems (SMS) as one of its goals.

Aviation Bird Hazard in NEXRAD Dual Polarization Weather Radar Confirmed by Visual Observations

Birds represent a significant hazard to flying aircraft as illustrated by the “Miracle on the Hudson” encounter in 2009 between U.S. Airways Flight 1549 and a flock of Canada Geese, forcing the flight to ditch in the riv…

Numerical Model Derived Altimeter Correction Maps for Non-Standard Atmospheric Temperature and Pressure

Altimeter corrections for non-standard temperature pose a challenge because accurate calculations require detailed knowledge of the temperature structure of the atmosphere between the surface and the aircraft.

Regional Aviation Early Career Pilot Attributes Study

The Regional Aviation Association of Australia (RAAA) has identified a need to better understand the concerns of its members in the attraction and retention of early career pilots.

The Value of Professional Security Industry Certifications

In the security and aviation community there are many professional security certifications that can be achieved in all disciplines of security. Those pertinent to aviation will be explored.

Aviation Security Impacts of Meteorological and Climatic Disruption

Commercial and military flight operations are frequently imperiled or disrupted by meteorological conditions. Severe weather events and climate-related factors create aviation security impacts on airport siting and relia…

Solving an Age-Old Debate: What Really Controls Altitude and Airspeed?

Mismanagement of altitude and/or airspeed is linked to the top three causes of fatal aviation accidents: loss of control inflight (LOCI), controlled flight into terrain (CFIT), and runway excursions during approach and l…

Danger in the Training Gap

Loss of Control in flight has accounted for the largest share of worldwide passenger deaths over the past ten years. Not Controlled Flight into Terrain, not equipment failure or malfunction, not even weather – but Loss o…

Unmanned Insecurity: The Safety and Privacy Issues of Unmanned Aircraft Information Assurance

Information assurance and computer security are foundational paradigms in ground based information systems. However, in the aerial realm of unmanned systems, information security often takes the proverbial back seat to h…

Risk Perception in Aviation Students: Weather Matters

Sixty-three aviation major students and 71 non-aviation major students participated in an experiment concerning aviation experience and risk perception (Risk Perception Scale, RPS; Hunter, 2002).