This thesis is focused on two topics. The first topic is the General Aviation (GA) demand forecasting models. The contributions to this topic are three fold: 1) we calibrated an econometric model to investigate the impact of fuel price on the utilization rate of GA piston engine aircraft, 2) we adopted a logistic model to identify the relationship between fuel price and an aircraft's probability of staying active, and 3) we developed an econometric model to forecast the airport-level itinerant and local GA operations. Our calibration results are compared with those reported in literature. Demand forecasts are made with these models and compared with those prepared by the Federal Aviation Administration. The second topic is to model the air traffic in the Organized Track System (OTS) over the North Atlantic. We developed a discrete-time event model to simulate the air traffic that uses the OTS. We proposed four new operational procedures to improve the flight operations for the OTS. Two procedures aim to improve the OTS assignments in the OTS entry area, and the other two aim to benefit flights once they are inside the OTS. The four procedures are implemented with the simulation model and their benefits are analyzed. Several implementation issues are discussed and recommendations are given. / Ph. D.

A methodology for modeling general aviation transportation systems from a system of systems perspective is presented. The completed framework aids the conceptual design process by providing capability-based metrics to the design engineer, as opposed to the traditional performance and cost, system-level metrics. The methodology is applied to two example problems representing promising future general aviation aircraft: the general aviation piston (GAP) and jet (GAJ). Results are presented in an array of formats, and the decision-making strategies that are now apparent in light of the capability-based metrics are described. The findings suggest that the system of systems framework might act as an analytical surrogate to the conventional problem definition process, providing indications of market preferences when that information is not immediately available through the conventional means. Implementation of this methodology can afford engineers a more autonomous perspective in the concept exploration process, providing dynamic feedback about a design's potential success in specific market segments. The method also has potential to strengthen the connection between design and business departments, as well as between manufacturers, service providers, and infrastructure planners - bringing information about how the respective systems interact, and what might be done to improve synergism of systems.

abstract: From 2001-2011, the General Aviation (GA) fatal accident rate remained unchanged (Duquette & Dorr, 2014) with an overall stagnant accident rate between 2004 and 2013. The leading cause, loss of control in flight (NTSB, 2015b & 2015c) due to pilot inability to recognize approach to stall/spin conditions (NTSB, 2015b & 2016b). In 2013, there were 1,224 GA accidents in the U.S., accounting for 94% of all U.S. aviation accidents and 90% of all U.S. aviation fatalities that year (NTSB, 2015c). Aviation entails multiple challenges for pilots related to task management, procedural errors, perceptual distortions, and cognitive discrepancies. While machine errors in airplanes have continued to decrease over the years, human error still has not (NTSB, 2013). A preliminary analysis of a PC-based, Garmin G1000 flight deck was conducted with 3 professional pilots. Analyses revealed increased task load, opportunities for distraction, confusing perceptual ques, and hindered cognitive performance. Complex usage problems were deeply ingrained in the functionality of the system, forcing pilots to use fallible work arounds, add unnecessary steps, and memorize knob turns or button pushes. Modern computing now has the potential to free GA cockpit designs from knobs, soft keys, or limited display options. Dynamic digital displays might include changes in instrumentation or menu structuring depending on the phase of flight. Airspeed indicators could increase in size to become more salient during landing, simultaneously highlighting pitch angle on Attitude Indicators and automatically decluttering unnecessary information for landing. Likewise, Angle-of-Attack indicators demonstrate a great safety and performance advantage for pilots (Duquette & Dorr, 2014; NTSB, 2015b & 2016b), an instrument typically found in military platforms and now the Icon A5, light-sport aircraft (Icon, 2016). How does the design of pilots’ environment—the cockpit—further influence their efficiency and effectiveness? To explore the possibilities for small aircraft displays, a participatory design investigation was conducted with 9 qualified instrument pilots. Aviators designed mock cockpits on a PC using pictorial cutouts of analog (e.g., mechanical dials) and digital (e.g., dynamic displays) controls. Data was analyzed qualitatively and compared to similar work. Finally, a template for GA displays was developed based on pilot input. / Dissertation/Thesis / Masters Thesis Applied Psychology 2016

No description available.

DLUHOS, J. Effect of the human factor on small aircraft accident. Brno: Brno University of Technology, Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, 2013. 90 s. Supervisor Ing. Jiří Chlebek, Ph.D. The Master’s thesis focuses on the safety of civil aviation, which is in 80% of the accidents caused by Human Factor, Human Error or just Pilot Error. The main goal of this Master’s thesis is evaluation and assessment of the causes of aircraft accidents of general civil aviations operations of the Czech Republic. In the practical part of the Master’s thesis were analyzed accidents of aircrafts in the category with maximum take of mass to 2250 kg and ultra light aircrafts incurred in the Czech Republic from 2006 to 2012. In the conclusion were analyzed main causes of the aircraft accidents and were proposed further measures to reduced accidents caused by Human Factor.

The master’s thesis investigates the influence of a pilot‘s age and experience on the probability of aviation accident related to general aviation in the Czech Republic. The results were obtained using statistical analyses of data from aircraft accident final reports. The aim of the thesis is to propose the ways of decreasing the number of accidents caused by the analyzed factors while taking into account the current aviation legislation.

The master’s thesis investigates the influence of a pilot‘s age and experience on the probability of aviation accident related to general aviation in the Czech Republic. The results were obtained using statistical analyses of data from aircraft accident final reports. The aim of the thesis is to propose the ways of decreasing the number of accidents caused by the analyzed factors while taking into account the current aviation legislation.

Cieľom tejto diplomovej práce je vytvoriť Electronic Flight Bag (EFB) aplikáciu pre mobilné telefóny s operačným systémom Android. Pre splnenie tejto úlohy bola preskúmaná aktuálna legislatíva ohľadom EFB aplikácií spolu s najmodernejšími EFB aplikáciami dostupnými na aplikačnom trhu. Na základe týchto informácií je navrhnutá a implementovaná EFB aplikácia určená pre pilotov všeobecného letectva. Výsledný produkt obsahuje funkcie pre plánovanie letu, vlastnú leteckú mapu, pilotný denník, katalóg letísk s dátami z celého sveta a ďalšie. Podpora offline zaručuje funkčnosť v reálnych podmienkach letu. Konečný produkt sa taktiež snaží inovovať nad existujúcimi EFB aplikáciami zahrnutím funkcionalít, akými sú napríklad automatické kontrolné zoznamy a náhľad v rozšírenej realite.

Whereas commercial aviation is attempting to achieve the reduction of its substantial carbon footprint, general aviation’s (GA) climate change contribution is negligibly small, which is why the sector is facing other sustainability challenges mainly entailing the operation of dated technology and aircraft, increasing regulatory constraints, rising costs, noise emissions, and popular discontent, as well as remaining the last mobility sector in the world to still use leaded fuels. Throughout recent years, there have been remarkable sustainability trends in GA as well as heightened efforts to improve its emissions profile (noise, pollutants, CO2) and environmental reputation, for instance by the increased use of electric aircraft, especially for private pilot training. From a sociotechnical perspective, this mixed-methods study highlights current sustainability challenges and trends in GA as well as potential pathways towards more sustainable GA and private pilot training. Eight in-depth semi-structured interviews with Swiss and international GA stakeholders were complemented with a bilingual representative quantitative online survey (N=427) among Swiss GA stakeholders, a comparative CO2 analysis showing the emissions advantages and feasibility limits of supplementing private pilot training with lessons using electric aircraft, as well as participant observation. The data show that most Swiss GA stakeholders have increased environmental awareness and are concerned about sustainability and the environment both, in flight and other activities. Although the majority advocates for sustainable development in GA there are not one but many challenges and obstacles to a more sustainable GA. The largest challenges are the abatement of noise emissions and the facilitation of the leaded aviation gasoline (AVGAS 100LL) phaseout. The most pertinent obstacles towards sustainable GA innovation are said to be bureaucracy, overregulation and reluctance in the civil aviation authorities, high costs, averseness to risk and innovation, as well as a trend of decline in GA activity due to continuous demographic change. No single sustainability pathway but rather a mix of immediate and long-term sustainability measures was identified. Despite its current limitations, electric aviation proves to be one of the most feasible pathways to sustainable private pilot training. For more sustainable GA, the use of more fuel-efficient planes and available unleaded fuels, propeller, and muffler retrofits, as well as is feasible short- and midterm measures. In the long run, electric and hybrid aviation as well as bio- and synfuels are likely to become attractive options for GA. The study shows the importance of sustainable development in GA and private pilot training, not because it will majorly contribute to climate change mitigation, but because it will ensure the improvement of its negative environmental reputation and societal acceptance, which will be vital to ensuring the survival of the GA sector.

<p>  </p> <p>Aircraft noise is one of the most significant environmental concerns for the aviation industry, and it adversely affects the physical and mental health of community members who are in close proximity to airports. The operations and expansion of airports and land use planning are affected because of the community’s adverse reaction to such annoyances. Aircraft operations and fleet mix information are required when airport managers and stakeholders execute the Aviation Environmental Design Tool (AEDT) to compute the noise metrics; however, these data are unavailable from over 2,000 United States non-primary General Aviation (GA) airports that lack full-time air traffic control facilities or personnel. </p> <p>This study developed a low-cost noise assessment technology for non-towered GA airports. The Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B) messages were obtained using an inexpensive ADS-B receiver. A barometric pressure calibration was applied to improve the aircraft operations estimation. A fleet mix database was created by linking the collected ADS-B data to an FAA-registered aircraft database containing U.S.-registered aircraft information (such as types of aircraft and engines). Specific aircraft information was obtained by filtering the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) identification code from the obtained ADS-B records. A set of 20 advanced aircraft performance parameters was constructed to determine the operation mode and corresponding power setting. The corresponding noise levels were determined using the EUROCONTROL Aircraft Noise and Performance (ANP) database.</p> <p>The testing and validation results from the case study at the Purdue University Airport (ICAO Code: KLAF) demonstrated the developed low-cost approach could identify aircraft noise events, and the accuracy of modeled noise data was assessed with an average error of 4.50 dBA. Therefore, the developed approach appears to be an affordable means of monitoring aircraft noise at non-towered GA airports.  </p>