Flight Safety Research Articles

Molecular level analysis of the influence of natural biomaterials on aviation flame retardant performance

The use of natural biomaterials in flame retardant formulations as sustainable alternatives has gained significant interest in recent years. Given the high-risk environment in which airplanes operate, aviation safety remains a top priority. Flame retardants (FRs) are crucial for preventing or reducing the spread of flames in flammable materials used in aircraft construction and interior furnishings, thus mitigating fire risks. This study aims to analyze the molecular-level influence of natural biomaterials on aviation flame retardant performance, with a focus on lignin. Lignin, a natural polymer derived from plant cell walls, offers an environmentally friendly alternative to conventional synthetic flame retardants. Lignin-based composites can be applied to various aircraft components, such as wings and fuselage. The study employs Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) to investigate the molecular interactions of these biomaterials. Additionally, to assess thermal stability and degradation, Thermo-gravimetric Analysis (TGA) is utilized. The results indicate that lignin enhances flame retardancy by promoting the formation of a protective char layer and improving thermal stability. This research also provides insights into the molecular mechanisms underlying lignin’s effectiveness as a flame retardant and explores its potential in developing high-performance aircraft flame retardants.

Bench-scale thermomechanical assessment of carbon fibre reinforced polymer C-channels

This study investigates the thermomechanical response of carbon fibre reinforced polymer (CFRP) C-channels using a bench-scale apparatus that combines mechanical loading and radiant thermal exposure. The study aims to assess the behaviour of pre-loaded CFRP C-channels, representative of aircraft sub-structures when subjected to fire conditions. Woven prepreg CFRP C-channels were tested under cantilever point load deflection while exposed to varying heat fluxes. Key aspects examined during the study include failure times, displacement, temperature distribution, and failure modes. The findings reveal that heated, pre-loaded C-channels experience distinct phases of physico-chemical decomposition and mechanical degradation. The mechanical degradation includes upward shear buckling of the horizontal flanges and vertical web, along with outward buckling of the vertical web towards the heat source. The study shows that thermal decomposition and mechanical degradation occur simultaneously, influenced by heat flux intensity. Higher heat fluxes accelerate decomposition and reduce load-bearing capacity, while lower fluxes slow degradation. Displacement data indicates that heat flux intensity significantly affects structural response. Temperature measurements show higher fluxes lead to elevated temperatures and steeper gradients, impacting failure times and modes. Increased temperatures correlate with shorter failure times, and variability in failure times decreases as heat flux rises. These insights are significant for understanding the thermomechanical response of C-channels in aircraft sub-structures. The knowledge obtained can contribute to developing more robust and safer aircraft designs, particularly for components exposed to fire conditions, enabling engineers to establish more precise safety margins for CFRP structures, potentially preventing catastrophic failures and thereby enhancing overall aircraft safety.

Effects of atmospheric pressure change during flight on insulin pump delivery and glycaemic control of pilots with insulin-treated diabetes: an in vitro simulation and a retrospective observational real-world study.

Glycaemic control and clinical outcomes in diabetes are improved by continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion (CSII). Atmospheric pressure changes during flights may affect insulin delivery from pumps and cause unintended metabolic consequences, including hypoglycaemia, in people with type 1 diabetes. The present report evaluates both hypobaric flight simulation and real-world data in pilots using insulin pumps while flying. In the flight simulation part of this study, an in vitro study of insulin pumps was conducted in a hypobaric chamber, de-pressurised to 550 mmHg to mimic the atmospheric pressure changes in airliner cabins during commercial flights. Insulin delivery rates and bubble formation were recorded for standard flight protocol. Insulin infusion sets, without pumps, were tested in a simulated rapid decompression scenario. The real-world observational study was a 7.5-year retrospective cohort study in which pre- and in-flight self-monitored blood glucose (SMBG) values were monitored in pilots with insulin-treated diabetes. Commercial and private pilots granted a medical certificate to fly within the European Union Aviation Safety Agency approved protocol and receiving insulin either by pump or multiple daily injections (MDI) were included. In the flight simulation study, full cartridges over-delivered 0.60 U of insulin during a 20 min ascent and under-delivered by 0.51 U during descent compared with ground-level performance. During emergency rapid decompression, 5.6 U of excess insulin was delivered. In the real-world study, seven pilots using CSII recorded 4656 SMBG values during 2345 h of flying across 1081 flights. Only 33 (0.7%) values were outside an acceptable safe range (5.0-15.0 mmol/l [90-270 mg/dl]). No clinically significant fall in the median SMBG concentration was observed after aircraft ascent and no in-flight SMBG values were within the hypoglycaemic range (<4.0 mmol/l [<72 mg/dl]). Compared with pilots receiving MDI therapy, pilots using CSII recorded more SMBG values within the acceptable range (99.3% vs 97.5%), fewer values in the low red range (0.02% vs 0.1%), fewer in-flight out-of-range values (0.2% vs 1.3%) and maintained stricter glycaemic control during flight. Ambient pressure reduction during simulated flights results in bubble formation and expansion within insulin cartridges. This causes unintended delivery of small insulin doses independent of pre-determined delivery rates and represents the maximum amount of insulin that could be delivered and retracted. However, in vivo, pilots using CSII in-flight did not experience a fall in blood glucose or episodes of hypoglycaemia during these atmospheric pressure changes and the use of insulin pumps can be endorsed in view of their clinical benefits.

Assessment of Dry Microburst Index over India derived from INSAT-3DR satellite

Dry microbursts can generate severe meteorological conditions including turbulence and strong winds even in the absence of precipitation. Present study evaluate the performance of Indian geostationary satellite, INSAT-3DR in capturing Dry Microburst Index (DMI) and validated against the radiosonde dataset. Data is validated across 14 selected stations across the India for 3 year (2020–2022). However, radiosonde data is very limited but spatial and temporal resolution of INSAT-3DR is good to analyse and predict the atmospheric phenomena. Different statistics have been used to validate INSAT-3DR against radiosonde observation. A Taylor plot confirm strong correlation and low RMSE between INSAT-3DR and radiosonde data. Spatial distribution depicts annual mean DMI values, it is influence by diurnal variation, regional weather pattern, and seasonal factors. Seasonal analysis indicates lower DMI during winter (5–45) due to reduced instability and moisture, while post-monsoon season witness increased DMI owing to warmer, humid conditions. The pre-monsoon season shows rising DMI as temperature increase. Study also analyses the co-occurrence of thunderstorm during DMI events, revealing a Probability of Detection (POD) of 0.75 for the INSAT-3DR DMI product, indicating 75% correct identification of thunderstorms. However, the False Alarm Rate (FAR) suggest false alarms occurred in approximately 55.2% of cases. Overall, study underscores the importance of considering local factors and conditions in interpreting INSAT-3DR satellite-based DMI data. Understanding and accurately predicting dry microbursts are crucial for enhancing aviation safety and improving the resilience of infrastructure in regions prone to these phenomena.

Gear-fault monitoring and digital twin demonstration of aircraft engine based on piezoelectric vibration sensor for engine health management

Aircraft engine vibration signals carry crucial operational information, necessitating accurate monitoring and analysis to ensure flight safety. However, the detection accuracy of vibration sensors is significantly compromised in high-temperature environments, posing substantial challenges for traditional battery-powered models. Here, we present a self-powered piezoelectric vibration sensor based on a polyvinylidene fluoride-polyimide nanofiber membrane, which can effectively mitigate the performance degradation in high-temperature environments. The piezoelectric vibration sensor is capable of distinguishing the vibration signals generated by healthy gears, pitting gears, and broken gears, achieving a recognition accuracy of 96.3 % by using machine-learning algorithms. Finally, we develop a digital twin system to identify failure modes in aircraft engine gears, promising intelligent engine health management.

Partial state-constrained integrated guidance and control for an STT missile with self-adjusting prescribed performance via non-barrier Lyapunov function method

A state-constrained guidance and control law is vital to the flight safety of an aerial interceptor against a maneuvering target. Taking the flight angle limitations, manipulation saturation, and terminal constraints into consideration, a novel integrated guidance and control (IGC) schema with a self-adjusting prescribed performance is proposed. To avoid the feasibility condition via the conventional barrier Lyapunov function-based method, a new state-dependent nonlinear mapping function is designed, based on which the state-constrained IGC system is converted into a constrained-free model. A novel prescribed performance with a self-tuning mechanism is proposed to guarantee satisfied transit and steady guidance performances. The backstepping technique combined with super-twisting integral sliding modes and newly defined predefined-time disturbance observers is implemented to generate state-constrained virtual command signals. All the signals in the closed-loop system are strictly proven to be bounded by Lyapunov stability theory. The simulation results show the effectiveness of the proposed IGC schema.

Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder Assessment and Aviation Safety Using Major Depression as a Reference

BACKGROUND: Attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in pilots is considered a threat to flight safety. The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration has recently revised assessment pathways for applicants with attentional problems because of an increasing recognition that ADHD is a clinical condition with a broad symptom spectrum; some individuals may have a historical diagnosis which has been in remission for several years, while others may be using psychostimulants to enhance mental focus. This commentary compares major depression as a reference and its Federal Aviation Administration certification/clearance policy with those policies associated with ADHD. Major depression can be considered a model example of a mental disorder where appropriate treatment strategies such as medication have been demonstrated not to have adverse effects upon aviation safety. We wish to highlight that when reviewing certification and assessment practice guidelines for the assessment of pilots with ADHD, decisions must be based upon robust scientific evidence that has been obtained in aviation. Vuorio A, Bor R, Gray A, Suhonen-Malm A-S. Attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder assessment and aviation safety using major depression as a reference. Aerosp Med Hum Perform. 2024; 95(11):873–875.

Aerospace Medical Association Proposed Research Priorities for Mental Health and Safety in Aviation

INTRODUCTION: Aviation safety sensitive personnel (SSP) function in highly complex environments. SSP mental health is thought to support safety, efficiency, and overall health. Research is needed to identify how to optimize and screen mental health across aviation SSP, but no consensus exists on the research priorities that need to be met. METHODS: The Aerospace Medical Association established the Mental Health Research Subgroup within the Mental Health Working Group comprising 53 aviation and aerospace medicine professionals representing 9 countries. A five-round Delphi method was employed to generate research priorities. RESULTS: Research priorities were identified under the following six topic areas: 1) Safety and Performance; 2) Mental Health Initiatives, Education, and Peer Support Programs; 3) Clinical Care, Pharmacology, and Return to Duty; 4) Epidemiology and Natural History; 5) Screening, Monitoring, and Emerging Technology; and 6) Special Considerations and Underrepresented Populations [Aerospace Medical Association Mental Health Research Subgroup Research Priorities Version 1.0 (current as of January 1, 2024)]. DISCUSSION: Research is needed to identify how to optimize and screen mental health across aviation SSP. This effort identified six key research priorities to achieve that aim. Hoffman WR, Tvaryanas A, Snyder Q, Spyropoulos BP, Garcia D, Schroeder D, Fahnenbruck G, Trottier K, Overbo S, Santilhano W, Brinks E, Ndoye A, Bongers H, O’Shaughnessy R, Miranda E; Aerospace Medical Association Mental Health Research Subgroup. Aerospace Medical Association proposed research priorities for mental health and safety in aviation. Aerosp Med Hum Perform. 2024; 95(11):845–850.

Space cybersecurity challenges, mitigation techniques, anticipated readiness, and future directions

Space Cybersecurity (SC) is becoming critical due to the essential role of space in global critical infrastructure – enabling communication, safe air travel, maritime trade, weather monitoring, environmental surveillance, financial services, and defence systems. Simultaneously, involving diverse stakeholders in space operations further amplifies this criticality. Similarly, previous research has identified isolated vulnerabilities in SC and proposed individual solutions to mitigate them. While such studies have provided useful insights, they do not offer a comprehensive analysis of space cyber-attack vectors and a critical evaluation of the effectiveness of mitigation strategies. This study addresses this problem by holistically examining the scope of potential space cyber-attack vectors, encompassing the ground, space, user, cloud, communication channels, and supply chain segments. Furthermore, the study evaluates the effectiveness of legacy security controls and frameworks and outlines SC-vector-aligned counterstrategies and mitigation techniques to tackle the unique SC threats. Based on the analysis, the study proposes future research directions to develop and test advanced technological solutions and regulatory and operational frameworks to establish international standards policies and foster stakeholder collaboration. The study contributes a multi-disciplinary foundation and roadmap that researchers, technology developers, and decision-makers can draw on in shaping a robust and sustainable SC framework.

Enhancing aviation safety: Multifunctional graphene nanostructured foams for lightweight fire suppression materials

Fuel tank fires and explosions are the primary causes of military and civilian aircraft losses and have been a major concern for the aviation and defense industries. Passive protection systems with explosion-suppression materials generate a protected environment within fuel tanks before ignition can occur and help prevent catastrophic failures. To minimize these concerns, open-cell reticulated polyurethane foams are extensively used in passive protection systems. However, fire- and explosion-related incidents are still taking place and need to be urgently addressed for aviation safety. This study investigates the effects of graphene nanostructured foams for redesigning the next-generation lightweight fire-retardant materials in aviation. Graphene foams have a unique open-cell morphology with three dimensional (3D) continuous and interconnected network structures and hollow features, which can be suitable for aircraft and defense applications. In this study, mechanical and thermal characterizations tests were conducted on graphene nanostructured foams for a better evaluation. Mechanical loading-unloading studies highlighted their outstanding mechanical energy-absorption capabilities against external loads. The thermogravimetric analysis revealed that the graphene foams provided excellent thermal properties against fire and high-temperature degradation. It was also confirmed that graphene foams uniquely manifested self-extinguishing characteristics during burning tests without catching fire or dripping for secondary fire formations. According to the tube explosion experiments, the graphene foams kept their appearance and strength after blast impacts and elevated explosion temperatures and shock waves. As a result, the proposed multifunctional graphene micro- and nanofoams offer significant potential for the next-generation fire- and explosion-suppression materials in various critical industries, such as aircraft, defense, space, drone, energy, and automotive.

Study on the aerodynamic characteristics of reentry capsule with obtuse head inverted cone under hypersonic chemical nonequilibrium flow

Abstract During spacecraft reentry, the aerodynamic characteristics of the reentry capsule with a sizeable obtuse head inverted cone (OBHIC) in a hypersonic state are the key factors in the design of controlled reentry trajectory, the design of trim angle of attack (AoA), and the accuracy of fall point of capsules. This paper establishes a numerical simulation algorithm of a hypersonic chemical nonequilibrium flow field by considering high-temperature real gas effects. The reentry capsule’s aerodynamic and flow field characteristics are predicted and analyzed. The component transport equations for chemical reactions are added to the Navier-Stokes equations, enabling precise modeling of gas molecule vibrational excitation and ionization processes. A half-model multi-block structured mesh is employed to construct the aerodynamic profile of the reentry capsule with OBHIC. The aerodynamic characteristics and pressure distribution of the reentry capsule were calculated and analyzed under the typical conditions of flight altitude of 40~80 km, flight velocity of 6~27 Ma, and AoA of 15°~24°. The results of the aerodynamic characteristics prediction show that the aerodynamic characteristics of the reentry capsule are little affected by the incoming flow velocity in a hypersonic state but significantly affected by the AoA. As the AoA increases, the lift coefficient CL increases linearly, the drag coefficient CD decreases linearly, the lift-to-drag ratio K rises linearly, and K increases from 0.19 to 0.29. In its hypersonic state, the reentry capsule exhibits a low lift-to-drag ratio, characterized by high drag and low lift coefficients. The results of this paper play an essential role in the reentry flight dynamics and reentry trajectory design of the reentry capsule. Moreover, it can further ensure the safety and reliability of the reentry flight of spacecraft.

Composite Materials For Creation Of Anti-Icing Elements And Other Aircraft Systems

The relevance of the development is related to the safety of aircraft flights, which is significantly affected by aircraft icing. The reliability of the anti-icing system (AIC) is a prerequisite for all modern aircraft, as well as for high-altitude unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). Icing of aircraft and UAVs is a very urgent problem, as evidenced by a large number of foreign publications and patents on proposals for methods of removing ice from metal and composite structures using nanomaterials. Icing can lead to a decrease in the lifting power of the aircraft and an increase in drag, and also affects the operation of the aircraft controls, reduces visibility from the cockpit, increases vibration and load on individual elements of the airframe, and negatively affects the operation of engines

Research on evaluation technology for fuel tank inerting system based on task profile

Abstract The flammable and explosive characteristics of aviation fuel have always made the safety of aircraft fuel tanks a focus of attention in the aviation industry. At present, all aircraft test flights in our country require the completion of the evaluation of the fuel tank inerting subsystem, which has put forward clear requirements for the measurement of oxygen concentration in aircraft fuel tanks, and corresponding technical indicators have been developed based on the usage of civil and military aircraft. This article establishes a digital model of the aircraft fuel tank inerting system based on AMEsim software, verifies the accuracy of the model through literature data, and uses the digital model to study the variation law of oxygen concentration in the fuel tank. The temporal variation of oxygen concentration in the gas-phase space of aircraft fuel tanks is analyzed under different nitrogen-rich gas concentrations, nitrogen-rich gas flow rates, fuel tank loading rates, and aircraft descent rates. Based on the temporal variation of oxygen concentration, a reference is provided for formulating flight test methods.

Drone Regulation and AI Law: Assessing the Intersection of the EU Legal Frameworks for Unmanned Aircraft and Artificial Intelligence

Drones are becoming a more familiar sight in the skies. This growth has potential implications for all aspects of society. To ensure safe, secure and sustainable drone activities, regulatory authorities have been revoking, amending or introducing laws. The primary focus has been on aviation safety rules for the design, manufacture and operation of these unmanned aircraft. These rules do not directly address other domains. This paper assesses how the EU’s drone-specific safety-based rules interact with the EU’s AI legal framework that is currently being developed. While drone rules do not address AI directly, they do indirectly as, for example, autonomous drone operations are permitted in the single European sky. The general AI legal framework also applies to drone activities, despite such not being mentioned. This paper brings together the sector-specific EU drone rules and the EU’s generalAI legal framework to understand what the term ‘AI’ means within the context of drone operations, and assesses whether there are any inconsistencies, contradictions, overlaps or lacunae. This will determine the applicability and suitability of applying the general AI legal framework to a specific technology (drones) and sector (aviation), and whether the drone rules can contribute to the regulation of AI more generally.

Application of Causal Analysis based on Systems Theory (CAST) to Regulatory Decision-Making: A Case Study of the Sikorsky S92A

Ensuring aviation safety requires maintaining the integrity of product design and operations. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) regulates Transport Category rotorcraft design through 14 CFR Part 29, establishing Categories A and B of certification for multiengine rotorcraft, and requires aircraft to be operated according to the certified procedures in flight manuals. This paper presents a case study of the Sikorsky S92A, a Transport Category rotorcraft that is not certified for elevated helideck operations according to Part 29, but operates primarily in the offshore market through FAA-authorized exemptions from applicable regulation. To understand how this discrepancy between the aircraft's certification and operation came to be, a relatively new accident analysis methodology called Casual Analysis based on Systems Theory (CAST) is applied to a hypothetical accident involving an S92A, strongly based on a real incident described in a service difficulty report. The CAST results identify unsafe decisions on the part of flight crews, air operators, the aircraft manufacturer, and the FAA that contribute to the accident. We explain these contributions by identifying several systemic factors generalizable to the entire offshore rotorcraft industry that underlie unsafe decisions, and we propose a set of recommendations to address them.

Effects of horizontal resolution and updated surface data on simulated low-level winds for the aviation safety over Incheon International Airport

This study aimed to alleviate the overestimation of low-level wind speeds at Incheon International Airport in South Korea by employing large eddy simulation (LES) modeling and high-resolution surface data. Simulation and observation data from two days on which potentially hazardous weather conditions near the airport were observed were selected for analysis: 12 August 2020, when strong winds were recorded, and 13 July 2020, when precipitation occurred. To investigate the impact of the horizontal resolution of the model and updated land surface data on low-level wind simulations, this study compared the simulation results of 1 km experiments with both 30-s United States Geological Survey topography and land use data and high-resolution 3-s surface data, including Shuttle Radar Topography Mission digital elevation model topography data and land use data generated by the Korean Ministry of Environment, and 100 m LES experiments with the high-resolution surface data. The observed 10-m wind speed and sonde data near the airport were used to evaluate the model results. Utilizing the updated high-resolution surface data in the 1 km model grid-spacing simulation led to a lower root mean square error and wind speed bias compared to the use of low-resolution surface data. The 100 m experiment incorporating LES modeling with the updated high-resolution surface data further improved the low-level wind simulation results compared to the 1 km experiment using the same high-resolution surface data. In addition to providing more accurate simulations of mean winds, turbulence variations over the airport and the nearby region are better resolved by using high-resolution LES modeling and combined with updated surface data, which are critical for ensuring aviation safety near the airport.

A Neural-Metaheuristic Kalman Filter for Moving Microburst Wind Shear Identification

Microburst wind shears (MB) are powerful localized three dimensional (3D) columns of wind that occur when cooled air drops from the base of thunderstorms at high speeds. They eventually hit the ground and spread out in all directions. As such MBs are considered a major atmospheric hazard for aircrafts (ACs), especially in terminal flight phases. Though pilots train regularly to survive it, yet the most recommended practice within the aviation community is to avoid its encounter upon detection. Some modern aircrafts have predictive wind shear warning systems, but they have limited short range capability and do not provide quantitative data for engineering application. In this sense, accurate onboard detection and identification of MBs and its characteristics is of importance for flight safety, whose success can lead to design of automatic flight control systems (FCSs) that reduce the risk of aircraft crash landings and accidents. Even though there are some studies on FCS designs for MB encounter, research on MB identification is rare but ongoing. To this aim, the present study is among the firsts that focuses on online identification of multiple and moving MB parameters using onboard aircraft air data and inertial sensors. The identification task is initially performed using the aircraft six degrees of freedom (6DoF) equations of motion (EOM) integrated with a 3D MB model via the utility of nonlinear Kalman filtering (KF) algorithms. Subsequently, an enhanced neural metaheuristic Kalman filter (NMKF) is proposed that improves the estimation accuracy of the MB model parameters. The results demonstrate the efficacy of the proposed NMKF in comparison with previous studies.

Clearing the Air on the Efficacy of Hypoxia Recognition Training

INTRODUCTION: Hypoxia recognition training (HRT) is a requirement for many nations’ military aircrew. The aim of HRT is to enhance the ability of aircrew to recognize and recover from an unexpected in-flight hypoxic exposure; however, there is a paucity of research evaluating the efficacy of HRT and whether current training approaches are optimal. Rather, the benefits of HRT are routinely promulgated based on opinions and anecdotes. Here, we raise some of our concerns with HRT practices in order to stimulate further discussion and research. Our aim is to ensure aircrew are provided with effective training to mitigate the risks associated with hypoxia—and other physiological threats—to promote flight safety. Shaw DM, Harrell JW, Gant N, Peacock DS. Clearing the air on the efficacy of hypoxia recognition training. Aerosp Med Hum Perform. 2024; 95(11):871–872.

Pengaruh Kualitas Pelayanan Petugas Aviation Security (AVSEC) terhadap Kepuasan Penumpang Disabilitas di Bandar Udara Adi Soemarmo Solo

In supporting the security and safety of flights at an airport, there are several requirements that must be met by airport managers. First, reliable human resources in terms of security and comfort. In this case, all aviation security personnel or commonly called Aviation Security (AVSEC). This research aims to determine the influence of the service quality of Aviation Security officers (AVSEC) on the satisfaction of disabled passengers at Adi Soemarmo Airport, Solo. This research uses quantitative methods. The respondents in this study were 67 disabled passengers at Adi Soemarmo Airport, Solo. Data was obtained through distributing questionnaires offline. Data analysis techniques use Simple Linear Regression Test, T Test, Coefficient of Determination Test, and Descriptive Test. The results of this research show that there is an influence of the service quality of Aviation Security officers (AVSEC) on the satisfaction of disabled passengers at Adi Soemarmo Airport, Solo. It is proven from the results of the T Test (Partial) that the T count is 4.748 with a significance value of 0.01 &lt; 0.05. This states that the service quality variable partially influences the passenger satisfaction variable. The results of the Coefficient of Determination Test showed a result of 25.8%, which means that service quality influences passenger satisfaction, while the remaining 74.2% is influenced by other factors that were not studied.

Daily Engine Performance Trending using Common Flight Regime Identification

Abstract Accurate flight regime identification is critical for enhancing aircraft efficiency and safety. Traditionally, predictive models for aircraft operation have relied on complex, black-box machine learning techniques that lack transparency. This study introduces a more interpretable approach by leveraging the New Comprehensive Modular Aero-propulsion System Simulation (N-CMAPSS) dataset and combining expanding window classification, voting schemes, and spectral clustering to detect distinct flight regimes. The method applies elastic registration to align time-shifted patterns and Functional Principal Component Analysis (FPCA) to reduce dimensionality, capturing core dynamics across flight regimes. These transformed features are fed into a genetic algorithm-assisted orthogonal matching pursuit for sparse feature selection. Through evolutionary selection, crossover, and mutation, the most informative features are identified, enabling accurate predictions while maintaining transparency. This method outperforms more complex models in certain test cases, offering a balance between accuracy and interpretability that is essential for predictive maintenance and safety applications.