Aviation Context Research Articles

Green technology diffusion mechanism in China's aviation industry cluster based on complex network game model

The aviation industry cluster's diverse strategic choices of firms significantly influence the green technology diffusion. To examine how external factors and intra-cluster associative structures influence green technology diffusion, this paper constructs an evolutionary game model of green technology networks based on small-world networks, integrating governmental regulation and public oversight perspectives. Through simulations within the real-world aviation context, we analyze the dynamic characteristics of green technology diffusion. Furthermore, we investigate the driving effects of governmental and public initiatives in facilitating green transformation of aviation manufacturing firms. The empirical results reveal several critical insights: (1) A government-mandated minimum threshold for environmental subsidies is crucial to propel the green technology diffusion. In scenarios where environmental regulation penalties are inadequately low, speculative behaviors among firms occur, hindering the diffusion process. (2) Amplifying public engagement significantly bolsters the rate of green technology diffusion and augments the average returns for firms. The public's tolerance threshold for environmental pollution exhibits a high sensitivity to the success of green technology diffusion. (3) We discern variances in green technology diffusion across different network types. While green technology successfully permeates scale-free networks with diverse densities, its diffusion is notably impeded in small-world networks with lower densities. The associative structures and hierarchical distribution of firms within clusters drive varying outcomes in green technology diffusion.

Enhancing aviation English competency: A simulation-based approach for aspiring pilots

Aviation English (AE) represents a noteworthy area of investigation within the realm of English for Specific Purposes (ESP), aimed at fostering English language competency among aspiring pilots. In this study, a simulation-based aviation English course was designed and implemented for improved learning gains. The present study took place at a tertiary educational institution, focusing on the analysis of AE vocabulary development, the readback performance of student pilots, and the examination of participants' perceptions of simulation-based training. Employing a mixed-methods sequential explanatory research design, data were gathered from 21 ab-initio pilots enrolled in the Pilotage Training program. The quantitative results showed that participants significantly improved their readback performance and AE vocabulary knowledge over the course of a semester. With regard to the qualitative results, student pilots overall perceived the simulation-based training as an innovative and effective method. The present study, therefore, constitutes a notable advancement in the AE research domain by documenting, for the first time, the application of simulation-based training in the aviation context. Moreover, the study offers insights into the implications for ESP practitioners and stakeholders in the aviation sector, along with recommendations for future research, which are delineated in the study's conclusion.

Market Structures for Service Providers in Advanced Air Mobility

Proposed concepts of operations for advanced air mobility rely on private service providers being responsible for providing air traffic management services to uncrewed aircraft such as drones and autonomous air taxis. While such proposals are unprecedented in the aviation context, one can draw parallels to the Internet and the role played by Internet service providers in managing web traffic. A study of the evolution of the Internet illustrates that, without clear rules for cooperation around a nascent market, private profit motives incentivize against service provider cooperation, especially for traffic flows that traverse multiple regions managed by different service providers. To address this problem, we propose a profit-sharing mechanism based on the Shapley value that incentivizes service providers to cooperate. We show that this mechanism i) ensures that service providers route flights along globally optimal routes, and ii) encourages service providers to work together in providing more efficient routes. We study the allocation of sectors to service providers and show that different allocations can cause large differences in profit earned. Finally, we discuss some of the remaining challenges with having a federated network of private service providers supporting traffic management for advanced air mobility operations.

Airport noise assessment and mitigation: A simple and flexible methodology

Airport noise assessment and mitigation have been recognized as major challenges in the current civil aviation context. This paper aims to provide a general, simple, and flexible methodology to approximate airport noise-influenced zones and quantify the social cost of noise pollution. The proposed methodology performs this assessment without the need for specific software, monitoring stations, and sophisticated data. Airport noise-influenced zones are estimated by relying on publicly available aircraft certification data, while the social cost of such estimation is computed by taking into account the distribution of residential units located within zones affected by noise. We present an application of this method to a group of Italian and Spanish airports, as well as possible beneficial policy interventions in terms of minimization of noise impact on the population living in the airport neighborhoods. In addition, possible mitigation policies are presented in the form of noise surcharges applied to different aircraft categories.

Tactile transformation in flying airplanes: From hands-on to fingers-on aviation

Portable laptops, cell phones, touchscreen equipment and other mobile devices are changing the way commercial airplane pilots are handling information used for flying aircraft. Pilot expertise and skill are being transformed by a new approach in which fingertips are replacing traditional hands-on methods of controlling airplanes. Drawing on participatory and interview methods at a UK airbase, this article draws on ethnographic research with commercial pilots and pilot cadets, to trace the refashioning of cell phone media in an aviation context where touch-based computer screens replace traditional airplane technology. Drawing on Merleau-Ponty’s phenomenology, this article examines how the knowing, sensing and intuition through the hands allows for a particular sort of la prise (grip) which accustoms itself to the emergence of new tactile and human–computer interfaces.

Physiological records-based situation awareness evaluation under aviation context: A comparative analysis

Situational Awareness (SA) assessment is of paramount importance in various domains, with particular significance in the military for safe aviation decision-making. It involves encompassing perception, comprehension, and projection levels in human beings. Accurate evaluation of SA statuses across these three levels is crucial for mitigating human false-positive and false-negative rates in monitoring complex scenarios in the aviation context. This study proposes a comprehensive comparative analysis by involving two types of physiological records: electroencephalogram (EEG) signals and brain electrical activity mapping (BEAM) images. These two modalities are leveraged to automate precise SA evaluation using both conventional machine learning and advanced deep learning techniques. Benchmarking experiments reveal that the BEAM-based deep learning models attain state-of-the-art performance scores of 0.955 for both SA perception and comprehension levels, respectively. Conversely, the EEG signals-based manual feature extraction, selection, and classification approach achieved a superior accuracy of 0.929 for the projection level of SA. These findings collectively highlight the potential of deploying diverse physiological records as valuable computational tools for enhancing SA evaluation throughout aviation decision-making safety.

STRATEGIES FOR EFFECTIVE HUMAN RESOURCE MANAGEMENT IN THE AVIATION INDUSTRY: A CASE-BASED ANALYSIS

In the dynamic and rapidly evolving landscape of the aviation industry, the effective management of human resources plays a pivotal role in ensuring operational excellence, safety, and customer satisfaction. This study delves into the realm of human resource management within the aviation sector, focusing on the strategies that organizations employ to attract, develop, and retain a skilled workforce. Through an in-depth analysis of relevant case studies from various aviation organizations, this research aims to uncover the diverse approaches utilized to address the unique challenges and opportunities of human resource management in this industry. The study explores recruitment and training practices, leadership development, employee engagement initiatives, and the integration of cutting-edge technologies in the aviation context. By synthesizing insights from these cases and existing literature, the research provides valuable insights into the effectiveness of different strategies and their impact on operational performance and organizational success. The findings not only contribute to the academic discourse on human resource management but also offer practical implications for aviation industry professionals and policymakers striving to optimize human capital utilization in the pursuit of excellence.

Artificial intelligence applications in aviation accident classification: A preliminary exploratory study

Artificial intelligence (AI) applications are already integrated and expected to expand within the aviation sociotechnical ecosystem. Machine Learning (ML) models are capable and could excel on accident report classification tasks within the aviation context, assuming adequate and proper training. Human subject matter experts (SMEs) and the open access AI ChatGPT reanalyzed the TransAsia Airways flight GE235, Air France AF447, and Helios Airways Flight HCY552 accidents using the Human Factors Analysis and Classification System (HFACS) to investigate whether the AI agent is capable of conducting aviation accident analysis and comparing raters’ results, of verifying AI’s learning abilities, and, finally, investigating whether AI analysis could expand in other systems-based models. The results suggested that: (a) AI/ML applications could be an efficient tool for learning organizations’ continuous learning, growth, and improvement by creating new knowledge from previous failures, (b) the proper prompts and well-established frameworks could optimize the agreement between human SMEs and AI in accident analysis, (c) the ChatGPT performed better on linear models (i.e., Bowtie) compared to complex systemic accident causation models (e.g., HFACS), (d) the ChatGPT could not conduct high- and low-level analysis simultaneously, and, (e) a multidisciplinary team including human factors, IT, and accident investigators experts is essential in developing and overseeing the W-shaped learning assurance process.

Synthesized Framework of Decision Making for the Army Aviation Context

This paper presents the results of a project to articulate a theory–based framework for characterizing the decision making and situation awareness (SA) of Army Aviators. This was the first step toward developing strategies for evaluating the impact of emerging technologies on cognitive performance. The team conducted a literature review of decision making and SA models along with a review of Army Aviation cognitive requirements and identified key decision making concepts. The team synthesized a framework of decision making based on key concepts from the literature tailored to Army Aviation. The framework guided a literature review of evaluation methods and measures. Evaluation literature review findings included the use of scenario-based evaluation with a range of complexities, and multiple, complementary measures. The synthesized framework served as a useful tool to describe aviator decision making and how technology can influence decision making and SA, and may be useful beyond the Army Aviation context.

Performance Shaping Factor Dependency Assessment Based on International Civil Aviation Accident Report Data

The quantitative assessment of human error risk in computerized aircraft cockpit need a comprehensive understanding of performance shaping factor (PSF) effects on interaction tasks and the dependency between PSFs. This study employed stepwise logistic regression analysis and mediating effect analysis to explore PSF dependencies based on 872 air accident report data. Among the 14 PSFs of the established PSF taxonomy, five PSFs have significant influences on crew error. Further dependency analysis shows that a significant mediating effect exists in 16 PSF combinations, however, only 8 combinations should be considered in the actual human reliability analysis (HRA) process (indirect effect exceeds 20%). The study proposes an empirical method for identifying and assessing PSF dependencies. The results can be used to develop new or modify existing HRA methods according to the civil aviation context, as well as provide guidance to human error risk prevention and mitigation from broader perspectives in addition to interface facet.

Avionic Touchscreen Interaction under Vibration: Supported versus Freehand Target Selection in Cockpit Conditions

With touchscreens being installed in aircraft flight decks, reach-and-turbulence-related challenges arise. Using the ISO 9241-411 multidirectional selection task (a 2D Fitts’ task), we quantified the impact of vibration on touchscreen target selection throughput (a performance score combining both speed and accuracy) and error rate in a cockpit layout. 24 participants completed the task under 2 vibration levels (helicopter level flight versus static), 2 hand support methods (using the thumb, while holding onto the screen’s edge, versus using the index finger freehand), 4 touchscreen types (two avionic and two consumer touchscreens), 2 touchscreen positions (main instrument panel versus pedestal), and 4 target sizes (0.8, 1, 1.5 and 2 cm). We found average throughput values of 6.5 bits per second (bps) in static conditions, versus 5.7 bps under vibration, and average error rates of 10.3% in static conditions, versus 16.6% under vibration. Similar to prior work, we found an exponential increase in error rate with decreasing target size. Larger target sizes helped mitigate the impact of vibration. We did not find evidence of a benefit to anchoring the hand on the touchscreen’s bezel edge, compared to the freehand baseline, under vibration or static conditions. Under vibration, the pedestal outperformed the main instrument panel position, with higher throughput and lower error rate. In static conditions, the two positions performed similarly. This work contributes to vibration mitigation methods when interacting with touchscreens in the aviation context.

Aviation English Assessment for Military and Civil Pilots in Brazil: Similarities and Differences

Language proficiency assessment for pilots is a topic of potential interest for applied linguists and aviation professionals in general. Despite the growing number of investigations about this topic in the Brazilian civil aviation context (A.L. Monteiro/ N. Bullock, 2020, A. Garcia 2015, P. Tosqui-Lucks/ M. Prado 2020, A. Pacheco 2019), fewer similar studies are found in the Brazilian military scenario (A.L.B.C. Silva, 2016, 2022, M. Bruno 2018). With this difference in mind, this study presents an overview of the instruments being used to assess Aeronautical English proficiency for civil and Air Force pilots in Brazil.This study followed a qualitative approach by means of a bibliographic review and documental analyses. Results of this study show that the same instruments are used to assess English language proficiency for all Air Force pilots in Brazil, despite their varying needs, whereas a different instrument – the Santos Dumont English Exam (SDEA) – is used for civil pilots. Similarities and differences in both assessment scenarios have been highlighted to better understand the theoretical constructs assessed in each test. As a contribution to the fields of Applied Linguistics and English for Specific Purposes (ESP), this study allows different stakeholders to have a clearer and better understanding of Aeronautical English assessment for pilots in Brazil. This can help ensure that best practices are highlighted, and improvements implemented, which, as a result, could lead to more efficient and effective communications and safer skies for everyone.

A narrative review of the interconnection between pilot acute stress, startle, and surprise effects in the aviation context: Contribution of physiological measurements.

Aviation remains one of the safest modes of transportation. However, an inappropriate response to an unexpected event can lead to flight incidents and accidents. Among several contributory factors, startle and surprise, which can lead to or exacerbate the pilot's state of stress, are often cited. Unlike stress, which has been the subject of much study in the context of driving and piloting, studies on startle and surprise are less numerous and these concepts are sometimes used interchangeably. Thus, the definitions of stress, startle, and surprise are reviewed, and related differences are put in evidence. Furthermore, it is proposed to distinguish these notions in the evaluation and to add physiological measures to subjective measures in their study. Indeed, Landman's theoretical model makes it possible to show the links between these concepts and studies using physiological parameters show that they would make it possible to disentangle the links between stress, startle and surprise in the context of aviation. Finally, we draw some perspectives to set up further studies focusing specifically on these concepts and their measurement.

The Influence of Human Factor on Aviation Accidents in Slovakia through HFACS Framework: A Comprehensive Study

The main objective of the paper is to underscore the fact that human is the predominant factor causing the majority of aviation accidents in the Slovak republic. This fact stems from an investigation involving 101 aviation accidents and 48 serious incidents, conducted with the intent of revealing the factors contributing to occurrences between 2009 and 2022. This paper offers an extensive insight into human failures within the aviation context of the Slovak republic, using the HFACS framework. HFACS is an advanced investigation tool, used for categorisation of human errors, based on the Reason's Swiss Cheese Model. Results show that human factor represents 77% of all causal factors contributing to aviation accidents in Slovak Republic. Through an extensive analysis of identified human errors, the safety of the Slovak aviation system could be improved.

Trait emotional intelligence in American pilots

There is a dearth of trait emotional intelligence (trait EI) research within an aviation context. Using the Trait Emotional Intelligence Questionnaire (TEIQue), the present study investigated potential trait EI differences between pilots and general population controls in the United States. The forty-four pilots who volunteered to participate were primarily male (93%) and between 24 and 67 years with a wide range of flight experience (150–5000 + hrs.) They were matched with controls based on age, gender, and ethnicity. Comparisons on global trait EI and the four trait EI factors revealed significant differences, with pilots scoring consistently lower than their matched counterparts in global trait EI, Well-being, Emotionality, and Sociability, but not Self-control. Overall, the findings indicated that pilots felt less connected to their emotional world than controls. Though limited by sample size and participant diversity, the results provide a basis for future studies into the trait EI profile of pilots, which had not been previously investigated.

Procedural justice for all? Legitimacy, just culture and legal anxiety in European civil aviation

AbstractThis article presents the results of survey-based research which explores if licensed aircraft maintenance engineers working in Norway, Sweden, and Portugal experience regulated “just culture” as procedural justice-infused processes when occurrence reporting in European Union (EU) civil aviation. Drawing on Tylerian procedural justice theory, the study finds that, perceived procedural justice is more strongly associated with legitimacy (perceived as support for rules and authority) than legal anxiety among the maintenance engineers. Country-based results reveal differences in engineers' legal experiences of occurrence reporting with perceived procedural justice strongest in Sweden and legal anxiety most influential in Portugal. The article contributes with a first exploration of “just culture” as a procedural justice-infused legal intervention to improve compliance to regulated occurrence reporting by negating legal anxiety in a European aviation context.

Engineering maintenance decision-making with unsupported judgement under operational constraints

In operational engineering maintenance situations, limitations on time, resource or the information available often inhibit rigorous analysis on complex decision problems. Decision-makers who are compelled to act in such circumstances, may be informed by some level of analysis if available, or else may have to rely on their unsupported judgement. This paper presents three engineering risk decision-making case studies across a 20 year span from the rail, aerospace, and military aviation contexts, highlighting the fallibilities of using unsupported judgements in an unstructured manner. To help situate this type of decision situation, we provide a descriptive model of the decision space which extends an existing description from the discipline of decision analysis. Furthermore, to help make and describe the distinction between unsupported and supported thinking, we provide another descriptive model, this time drawing parallels with the distinction made between Type 1 and Type 2 reasoning. This model is an extension of the default-interventionist model from cognitive psychology.The paper concludes that there is a pressing need to provide some form of support to engineering decision-makers facing operational decisions under severe time pressure. While the ultimate aim must be to improve the quality of decision-making, improved transparency is an important additional benefit. Increased emphasis on decision justification and self-awareness are suggested as potential ways of improving this situation. A further contribution of this paper is to identify and strengthen linkages between safety science and two other relevant disciplines, decision analysis and psychology. Such linkages make it easier to communicate across traditional disciplinary boundaries and may provide opportunities for interdisciplinary learning or suggest future directions for collaborative research.

Flight instructor perspectives on competency-based education: insights into educator practice within an aviation context

ABSTRACT This paper investigates how flight instructors view the utility of competency-based education/training (CBE/T) during the training of new pilots. A total of ten flight instructors were interviewed and analysed through an interpretive paradigm of grounded theory. The findings indicate flight instructors of all experience levels have difficulty engaging with competency texts and have a limited theoretical understanding of CBE/T. The findings suggest possible incorrect practices are being employed by instructors. More importantly, the study highlights a concern that the current industry understanding of CBE/T directly relates to learning and safety, with a potential for negative outcomes. The paper questions if CBE/T is an appropriate model for training new pilots.

Examination of a computer-delivered English proficiency test for flight attendants: Test-takers’ experiences

International Civil Aviation Organization recognizes English proficiency tests for the aviation personnel. Despite this, no universal test has yet to be developed for this purpose. There are only local tests available on the market. Among them is a computer-delivered English proficiency test which is administered for a globally recognized flight company in Turkey. This test is implemented for flight attendants and has important consequences such as suspending flights until the required level of English is achieved in the test. Thus, test-takers' perceptions of the test are significant as they experience these impacts first-hand. This study, therefore, explored flight attendants' test-taking experiences. 26 flight attendants participated in this study. Semi-structured interviews and two focus group sessions were held to collect data and evidence. The findings showed that the respondents had concerns for test administration including the issues such as physical conditions of the setting, timing of the test, and test format. Although they agreed that the test had a representative sampling of the language, they thought it lacked relevant components in accordance with their needs and level. They also reported the test content did not reflect work-related context. The study, therefore, provided implications and suggestions to improve the test considering the aviation context.

The Negotiation of Meaning in Aviation English as a Lingua Franca: A Corpus‐Informed Discursive Approach

AbstractThis study explores the pragmatics of aviation English (AE) as a lingua franca in radiotelephony (R/T) communications primarily between aviators and air traffic controllers worldwide. AE is a crosslinguistic register used by aviation professionals who do not necessarily share their first languages and cultures. Accordingly, mutual intelligibility is the ultimate goal, as in English as a lingua franca (ELF) featuring message‐oriented accommodation. Simultaneously, AE is a highly restricted and relatively stable register, as its use is mandated to maximize accuracy, conciseness, and clarity of communication—factors all contributing to air safety. While instruction and testing in AE have been investigated in applied linguistics, its pragmatics‐focused aspects are underexplored. In this qualitative corpus‐informed study, we first relied on a small corpus of R/T communications in nonroutine situations to identify 3 cases of communication difficulty and then, investigate in depth the discursive construction of meaning, especially in terms of the pragmatic strategies the interactants used on the radio. Drawing exclusively on ELF‐speaker exchanges from the corpus, we illustrate the process of the negotiation of meaning within the constraints of the given aviation contexts. The findings of this study reveal similarities and differences between AE in R/T communications and general ELF discourses described in the literature. We conclude by offering pedagogical implications for enhanced aeronautical training addressing pragmatic and interactional competence.