Research papers

Exploratory Heterogeneity in Workload–HRV Relationships Across Flight Crews During High-Fidelity Simulation

Understanding how operators adapt to varying task demands in complex systems is central to applied human performance and resilience engineering research.

Computational Analysis of Steady State Aerodynamics of Transonic Truss-Braced Wing Configuration in Deep Stall

This study presents a computational investigation of steady state aerodynamics of the Subsonic Ultra-Green Aircraft Research (SUGAR) Transonic Truss-Braced Wing (TTBW) configuration over a wide range of angles of attack,…

Integration and Testing of a UAS Airspace Management System in the Wildland Firefighting Environment

NASA’s Advanced Capabilities for Emergency Response Operations (ACERO) project explores the use of technology to provide additional aerial support in the wildland firefighting environment by extending the use of Uncrewed…

Lessons Learned: m:N Operations in the Application of UTM for Hurricane Rescue

The Human Autonomy Teaming (HAT) Lab at NASA Ames Research Center conducted a study using small uncrewed aircraft systems (sUAS, or drones) in a post-hurricane rescue mission, utilizing an uncrewed aircraft system traffi…

What Would You Have Done? Learning From Others' Aviation Safety Events

The capacity to learn from both expected and unexpected events has been identified as a critical component of resilient performance. One’s own experiences, however, are not the only opportunities to learn from these type…

What Would You Have Done? Learning From Others' Aviation Safety Events

The capacity to learn from both expected and unexpected events has been identified as a critical component of resilient performance. One’s own experiences, however, are not the only opportunities to learn from these type…

Development and Integration of Flight Dynamics Models for Study of eVTOL Aircraft in the NASA Vertical Motion Simulator

A piloted simulation study in the Vertical Motion Simulator at NASA Ames Research Center will investigate the handling and ride qualities of eVTOL configurations (lift-plus-cruise and tiltwing) for both civilian and mili…

BVLOS UAS Cargo Delivery Simulation - A DoD-Sponsored Operational Evaluation with NASA and Project ULTRA

Currently existing UAS flight system implementations often require a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Certificate of Waiver or Authorization (COA), thus posing the challenge of missions being repeatable.

NASA Icing Update – March 2025

This NASA Icing Update was prepared for presentation to the SAE International AC-9C Inflight Icing Technology Committee. This update includes the following topics: planned Rotational Icing Scaling tests, the Glenn Icing …

Reduction of Aircraft Noise Uncertainty for a Notional Supersonic Business Jet

NASA supported a study by the International Civil Aviation Organization on the environmental impact of adding supersonic aircraft to the existing global fleet by designing a notional 55-tonne supersonic business jet.

A Queuing Theory Approach to Pilot-Controller Coordination for m:N Operations

In recent years, attention and interest by industry and researchers has grown in a control paradigm for remotely piloted aircraft termed “m:N operations.” In an m:N operation, a team of m remote pilots in command (RIPCs)…

Training the Powered-Lift Evaluation Pilot

This poster describes a project to prepare pilots for a study assessing novel aircraft automation concepts for electric Vertical Takeoff and Landing (eVTOL) aircraft using NASA’s Vertical Motion Simulator (VMS).

Part 135 and Business Operator Low Altitude Events: An Analysis of ASRS Reports

This presentation provides an aviation SME's human factors analysis of selected Low Altitude and Controlled Flight Towards Terrain (CFTT) events involving Part 135 and business jet operators as reported to the Aviation S…

Part 121 Low Altitude Events: An Analysis of ASRS Reports

This presentation provides an aviation SME's human factors analysis of selected Low Altitude and Controlled Flight Towards Terrain (CFTT) events involving Part 121 air carriers as reported to the Aviation Safety Reportin…

NASA Aviation Safety Reporting System (ASRS) Program Briefing

This presentation provides an overview of NASA's Aviation Safety Reporting System (ASRS).

NASA Aviation Safety Reporting System: General Introduction to NASA ASRS

This presentation provides an overview of NASA's Aviation Safety Reporting System (ASRS).

NASA Icing Update – Oct 2024

This presentation provides a status update on select NASA icing research activities for the SAE AC-9C Icing Technical Committee Meeting on Oct 21, 2024.

Introduction to Aircraft Icing and NASA's Approach to Understanding It

This presentation provides an introduction to aircraft icing and describes NASA’s approach to understanding it. The presentation covers various topics on icing.

Training the Powered-Lift Evaluation Pilot

This presentation focuses on the preparation and training of evaluation pilots during the second of two research studies: Automation Enabled Pilot studies 1 and 2 (AEP-1 and AEP-2).

Training the Powered-Lift Evaluation Pilot

This paper focuses on the preparation and training of evaluation pilots during the second of two research studies: Automation Enabled Pilot studies 1 and 2 (AEP-1 and AEP-2).

Incorporating UAS Traffic Management into Wildland Firefighting Operations: Initial Findings of Subject Matter Expert Interviews

Uncrewed Aircraft Systems (UASs) are being utilized throughout the disaster and emergency response domain, including in wildland firefighting operations.

Investigating the Causes and Consequences of Controlled Rest on the Flight Deck

INTRODUCTION: Long and irregular working hours can lead to fatigue in aviation operations. In some regions, a short nap taken on the flight deck (known as controlled rest) can be used as a countermeasure to unexpected in…

Helicopter Pilot Evaluations of the Airborne Collision Avoidance System Xr in a High-Fidelity Motion Simulation

New aircraft and aerial Urban Air Mobility operations require updated technologies to maintain vehicle separation during flight. Specifically, higher-density airspace will need more than traditional air traffic control t…

Helicopter Pilot Evaluations of the Airborne Collision Avoidance System Xr in a High-Fidelity Motion Simulation

New aircraft and aerial Urban Air Mobility operations require updated technologies to maintain vehicle separation during flight. Specifically, higher-density airspace will need more than traditional air traffic control t…

The Impact of Controlled Rest on Neurobehavioral Outcomes at Top-of-Descent

INTRODUCTION: Long and irregular working hours can lead to fatigue in aviation operations. In some regions, a short nap taken on the flight deck (known as controlled rest) can be used as a countermeasure to unexpected in…

Where and How Well Do Cabin Crew Sleep During Long-Haul Flights?

INTRODUCTION: Sleep loss and circadian disruption pose a significant risk in aviation. Many studies have shown that inflight rest locations influence alertness and performance among pilots, but few studies have evaluated…

Testing of Advanced Capabilities to Enable In-time Safety Management and Assurance for Future Flight Operations

In order to refine an initial Concept of Operations, explore Concepts of Use, and expose/validate requirements for future In-Time Aviation Safety Management Systems (IASMS), testing architectures were created, along with…

UTM Public Operators Outreach: Drone Responders

NASA is working with Industry and FAA to enable beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS) unmanned aerial systems (UAS) operations wherever it is needed.

UAS Traffic Management Beyond Visual Line of Sight (UTM BVLOS)

NASA is working with Industry and FAA to enable beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS) unmanned aerial systems (UAS) operations wherever it is needed.

Development Strategies for Uncertainty Quantification to Enable Aircraft Certification by Analysis

Aircraft Certification by Analysis (CbA) is a broad term that describes the process by which engineering analysis tools are used to supplement flight testing to demonstrate compliance with regulatory requirements.

Can Pre-Flight Subjective Sleepiness Predict the Use of Controlled Rest on the Flight Deck?

Pilot sleepiness in flight continues to be an issue in aviation due to irregular and extended working hours. In some regions of the world, pilots are allowed to use an in-flight countermeasure called controlled rest, whi…

NASA Icing Update

This NASA Icing Update was prepared for presentation to the SAE International AC-9C Inflight Icing Technology Committee. This update includes the following topics: recently completed propeller icing test in the NASA Icin…

Flight Simulator Demonstration and Certification Implications of Powertrain Failure Mitigation in a Partial Turboelectric Aircraft

The Single-aisle Turboelectric AiRCraft with Aft Boundary Layer propulsor (STARC ABL) is a concept aircraft with a partial turboelectric powertrain.

The Viability of See-and-Avoid for Midair Collision Avoidance for Urban Air Mobility (UAM)

Urban Air Mobility (UAM) is an emerging aviation concept that could supplement today’s ground and air transportation systems. For UAM, it is generally assumed that the private sector will manage separation and not rely o…

Computational Icing Analysis on NASA’s SIDRM Geometry to Investigate Collection Efficiency

Computational icing analysis results were compared to experimental icing tunnel data including aerothermal (e.g. dry air) and supercooled water droplet rime-ice conditions from tests conducted in early 2022 at the NASA I…

NASA Icing Overview 2023

This presentation summarizes NASA icing research for an invited talk to be presented on June 22, 2023, at the SAE International Conference on Icing of Aircraft, Engines, and Structures.

Icing Physics Studies Using the 3D SIDRM Test Article: Aerodynamic and Supercooled Liquid Icing Analysis

In-flight icing is an important safety issue and is a factor that affects aircraft design and performance. Newer regulations are driving a need for improvements in airframe and engine icing simulation capability.

Flight Simulator Demonstration and Certification Implications of Powertrain Failure Mitigation in a Partial Turboelectric Aircraft

The Single-aisle Turboelectric AiRCraft with Aft Boundary Layer propulsor (STARC ABL) is a concept aircraft with a partial turboelectric powertrain.

Flight Simulator Demonstration and Certification Implications of Powertrain Failure Mitigation in a Partial Turboelectric Aircraft

The Single-aisle Turboelectric AiRCraft with Aft Boundary Layer propulsor (STARC ABL) is a concept aircraft with a partial turboelectric powertrain.

Advanced Air Mobility Operations & Automation Part II Technical Lecture

The Airborne Collision Avoidance System X (ACAS X) is a next-generation collision avoidance tool developed to support different aircraft types and operations.

The Viability of See-and-Avoid for Midair Collision Avoidance for UAM

Urban Air Mobility (UAM) is an emerging aviation concept that could supplement today’s ground and air transportation systems. For UAM, it is generally assumed that the private sector will manage separation and not rely o…

Fatigue, Schedules, Sleep, and Sleepiness in U.S. Commercial Pilots During COVID-19

Introduction: COVID-19 has had a significant impact on the aviation industry. While reduced flying capacity may intuitively translate to reduced fatigue risk by way of fewer flights and duty hours, the actual impact of t…

Subsonic Single Aft Engine (SUSAN) Flight Deck Experiment: Throttle and Engine Display Concepts

NASA is developing a new hybrid-electric aircraft concept called the SUbsonic Single Aft eNgine (SUSAN) Electrofan. The SUSAN airplane is being designed as a 180-passenger commercial regional jet and is expected to fly i…

Perception Testing in Fog for Autonomous Flight

As the path towards Urban Air Mobility (UAM) continues to take shape, there are outstanding technical challenges to achieving safe and effective air transportation operations under this new paradigm.

Short-haul fatigue: A focus group study

Researchers from NASA Ames Research Center, together with research scientists from CAMI, are preparing to conduct a study to evaluate fatigue during short-haul operations.

NASA Icing Update

NASA icing research summarizes work in the following areas: facility updates for the Icing Research Tunnel and Propulsion Systems Laboratory, engine icing, and simulation & experimental tools.

Framework for Estimating Performance and Associated Uncertainty for Modified Aircraft Configurations

Flight testing has been the historical standard for determining aircraft airworthiness. However, increases in the cost of flight testing and the accuracy of inexpensive CFD encourage the adoption of certification by anal…

Transient Aircraft Soot Emissions Indicate That Steady-State Measurements Likely Underestimate Real-World, Take-Off Emissions: Time-Varying Aircraft Take-Off Emissions Indices Measured at Los Angeles International Airport

Aircraft engine emissions are unique among mobile pollution sources in that their impacts affect the local air quality near airports as well as upper tropospheric composition and climate over regional-to-hemispheric scal…

Framework for Estimating Performance and Associated Uncertainty for Modified Aircraft Configurations

Flight testing has been the historical standard for determining aircraft airworthiness - however, increases in the cost of flight testing and the accuracy of inexpensive CFD promote certification by analysis to reduce or…

Future Operations

The principles and reasons for employing Human Autonomy Teaming is discussed. Application of these techniques to multi-vehicle control is described.