Fixed capital and growth imperatives: Is commercial aviation trapped in a treadmill?

In this paper, we examine the existing artificial intelligence policy documents in aviation for the following three regions: the United States, the European Union, and China. These global economic leaders were selected for their dominance in economic activity; as a result, their influence on aviation policy direction is a logical assumption. Historically, the aviation industry has always been a first mover in adopting technological advancements. This early adoption offers valuable insights because of its stringent regulations and safety-critical procedures. Consequently, the aviation industry provides an optimal platform to address AI vulnerabilities through its stringent regulations, standardized processes, and certification of new technologies. Our research aims to compare AI regulations across these regions to guide other sectors in shaping effective policies. The findings of our comparative analysis show that there are vastly differing approaches to the application of AI regulations in the aviation sector, thus weakening desired prospects for global cooperation and worsening existing geopolitical tensions. Therefore, we propose a hybrid model approach as a way forward. Under this model, regions maintain their distinctive AI policies but collaborate on high-risk aviation applications through joint working groups, shared safety intelligence, or mutual recognition agreements. This would preserve incentives for innovation but also reduce regulatory friction.

Abstract The Nowcast of Aerospace Ionizing RAdiation System (NAIRAS) model predicts the radiation environment from the Earth's surface to free‐space. The model output provides dosimetric and particle flux quantities required to assess the hazardous radiation impacts to human health and adverse effects on vehicle electronic systems. The four sources of ionizing radiation included in NAIRAS are galactic cosmic rays (GCR), solar energetic particles (SEP), trapped protons, and trapped electrons. The focus of this paper is to present an advance in the state‐of‐the‐art in SEP radiation modeling by extending the NAIRAS nowcast capability to a forecast capability. A new SEP peak effective dose rate forecast model (for brevity, denoted SEP peak dose forecast) is developed by coupling peak integral proton flux forecast products provided by the University of Málaga Solar particle Event Predictor (UMASEP) model to the input data stream of the NAIRAS model. The UMASEP‐NAIRAS SEP peak dose forecast approach is assessed by analyzing the September 2017 and the May 2024 SEP events. The model forecast uncertainties are characterized at commercial and military aviation altitudes and at low‐Earth orbit (LEO) trajectories similar to the International Space Station (ISS) orbit. The analysis of the two SEP events demonstrates accurate SEP peak dose forecasts bolstering the viability of this forecast approach. The future plan is to make the UMASEP‐NAIRAS SEP peak dose forecast products available in real‐time at the Community Coordinated Modeling Center (CCMC) Integrated Space Weather Analysis Web‐based dissemination system.

Human Error Patterns in Commercial Aviation Accidents: An Analysis of HFACS Application across Flight Phases Perspective in Bangladesh

This study critically examines the technological feasibility, regulatory challenges, and societal acceptance of Pilotless Passenger Aircraft (PPAs) in commercial aviation. A mixed-methods design integrated quantitative passenger surveys (n = 312) and qualitative pilot interviews (n = 15), analyzed using SPSS and NVivo to capture both statistical and thematic perspectives. Results show moderate public awareness (58%) but limited willingness to fly (23%), driven by safety (72%), cybersecurity (64%), and human judgement (60%) concerns. Among pilots, 93% agreed automation improves safety, yet 80% opposed removing human pilots entirely, underscoring reliance on human adaptability in emergencies. Both groups identified regulatory assurance, demonstrable reliability, and human oversight as prerequisites for acceptance. Technologically, this paper synthesizes advances in AI-driven flight management, multi-sensor navigation, and high-integrity control systems, including Airbus’s ATTOL and NASA’s ICAROUS, demonstrating that pilotless flight is technically viable but has yet to achieve the airline-grade reliability target of 10−9 failures per flight hour. Regulatory analysis of FAA, EASA, and ICAO frameworks reveals maturing but fragmented approaches to certifying learning-enabled systems. Ethical and economic evaluations indicate unresolved accountability, job displacement, and liability issues, with potential 10–15% operational cost savings offset by certification, cybersecurity, and infrastructure expenditures. Integrated findings confirm that PPAs represent a socio-technical challenge rather than a purely engineering problem. This study recommends a phased implementation roadmap: (1) initial deployment in cargo and low-risk missions to accumulate safety data; (2) hybrid human–AI flight models combining automation with continuous human supervision; and (3) harmonized international certification standards enabling eventual passenger operations. Policy implications emphasize explainable-AI integration, workforce reskilling, and transparent public engagement to bridge the trust gap. This study concludes that pilotless aviation will not eliminate the human element but redefine it, achieving autonomy through partnership between human judgement and machine precision to sustain aviation’s uncompromising safety culture.

High-lift devices are essential aerodynamic features used to enhance aircraft performance during the low-speed regime, namely takeoff and landing, as well as in high-maneuverability flight regimes. In this paper, a comparative study of high-lift system design philosophies used in two classes of aircraft, commercial airliners and military fighters, is presented. Commercial aviation has an overriding interest in trailing-edge high-lift devices for fuel efficiency, safety, and economic maturity. Military fighter design has an overriding interest in leading-edge devices for enhanced aircraft maneuverability, controllability, and post-stall flight characteristics. The paper presents a systematic comparison of design philosophies used in high-lift system design in commercial transports and military fighters. Commercial aviation uses trailing-edge high lift devices on aircraft such as the Boeing and Airbus families for lift-to-drag ratio optimization, and to operate within acceptable margins of weight, size, and maintenance. Military fighter aircraft use trailing-edge and leading-edge devices, such as slats and Leading-Edge Vortex Controllers (LEVCONs), to achieve enhanced aircraft maneuverability, controllability, and post-stall flight characteristics. The LEVCON operation is presented, including the mechanism of vortex generation and delay of stall. The extent to which modern fighters integrate the leading-edge aerodynamic controls with digital flight control is discussed. A comparative analysis of airliner and fighter high lift system design philosophies is presented. Airliner high lift systems are designed to operate in a predictable, safe, and efficient regime of low-speed flight. Fighter high lift systems are designed to operate in a regime of extreme flight regimes, in particular high angles of attack. Finally, future trends in high lift system design are discussed including unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and blended-wing-body configurations. A review of promising trends in adaptive wing geometries, smart materials, and active flow control actuators is presented, including the prospect of truly aerostructurally integrated intelligent high lift systems.

This interview with Vanessa R. Schwartz, professor of Art History, History, and Critical Studies at the University of Southern California, addresses issues surrounding her book Jet Age Aesthetic: The Glamour of Media in Motion (2020). The ensuing questions and answers explore aspects of content and methodology regarding Visual and Cultural Studies, with a particular focus on examining the social impact of transportation. Professor Schwartz's work is among the few examples of this type of research that aim to examine the links between visuality and commercial aviation. Her analysis of the aesthetics of the “Jet Age” (a period that began in the late 1950s and, although transformed, can still be said to be active today) is critically unfolded to review such disparate but closely related objects of study as airport and amusement park architecture, or fashion magazines and photojournalism.

From family incivility to burnout among Chinese commercial aviation pilots: A moderated mediation role of psychological capital and happiness at work

An integrated fuel cell (FC) system simulator ‘FC-DynaMo’ was developed. It consists of physical and semi-empirical models of FC system components, such as a FC stack, air and H2 supply, thermal management, and electric power systems, and the controllers for them. It can reproduce the dynamic behaviors of the FC system used in 2nd-generation MIRAI (MIRAI-2), including the degradation of the Pt and carbon support in the cathode catalyst layer in remarkable computational speed. Overview of ‘FC-DynaMo’ ‘FC-DynaMo’ is an integrated fuel cell (FC) system simulator, which consists of physical or semi-empirical models of the comprehensive FC system components of the FC stack, air and H2 supply, thermal management, and electric power systems, and the controllers for them. It was designed to reproduce the configuration of the FC system used in MIRAI-2 shown in Fig. 1. It also includes a control system and can be utilized for the investigation of the control strategy as well as the hardware design. Fig. 2 shows a configuration of FC-DynaMo. The models and controllers are implemented on MATLAB/Simulink environment in modular program structure so that the users from different industries, such as automotive of passenger and commercial vehicles, railway, maritime, aviation, and construction and agricultural machinery, can customize the system configurations without significant efforts. The computational speed for a system-scale simulation is 40 times faster than the actual time with a normal laptop by combining physical and semi-empirical models and in-house numerical solvers which do not require iterative calculations to obtain converged solutions. FC-DynaMo has been delivered to more than 200 research institutes and industries in Japan and utilized for the advanced research and multi-purpose system development. Parameter determination and validation The parameters in the FC stack model are determined by a dataset of the polarization curves collected with a test-piece of an MEA under wide range of operating conditions of O2 fraction, humidity, and temperature. The parameters in the FC system component models are determined by datasets of single component tests. All the parameters in the FC stack and system component models can be determined before manufacturing expensive prototypes of FC systems and the specification of the hardware and controller can be optimized before prototyping. The accuracy of the developed simulator was validated with a considerable number of datasets collected with the actual system testbed and vehicle of MIRAI-2 under wide range of operating conditions of low to high load and temperature and steady-state and transient conditions. Simulation results Fig. 3 shows the simulation results of dynamic FC system behaviors in a dynamic operating pattern from low to high load and temperature. The impact of changes in the MEA specifications on the major system performance indicators were simulated: The cathode GDL was removed (case 1); The PEM thickness is decreased by half (case 2); the catalyst activity of the cathode catalyst layer is doubled (case 3). Figs. 3(a) and (b) show the overall heat generation rate transferred to the thermal management system and total H2 amount consumed during the system operation, respectively. The maximum heat generation rate was decreased by 22.0 % and the fuel economy was improved by 8.1 % between cases 1 and 3. The reduction of losses in activation and resistance overpotentials in cases 1 and 3 had considerable impacts as shown in Figs. 3(c) and (d), which accounted for the improvement of the FC system net efficiency by 9.0 % as shown in Fig. 3(e). It was demonstrated that FC-DynaMo can be utilized for the analysis of complex mechanisms among the specifications of the FC materials and system components, the FC reaction mechanisms, and overall system performance indicators, such as the thermal balance and fuel efficiency. Recent updates and future study In recent, FC-DynaMo has been updated with the models to estimate FC material degradation rates by Pt coarsening and carbon support corrosion. Similar as the methods described in the previous sections, the parameters in the degradation models were determined by the datasets collected with a test piece of MEA. The accuracy of the models was validated by the combined accelerated stress test (AST) data in literature [J. Electrochem. Soc., 169, 044523 (2022)], whose patterns are shown in Fig. 4, collected with a FC stack having 13 cells of MIRAI-2. The developed degradation models reproduced the actual polarization curves after ASTs with acceptable accuracy as shown in Fig. 5. The authors’ group is investigating new modeling methods to estimate PEM chemical degradation rate for extension FC-DynaMo and the operating strategy to optimize the FC system performance and durability. Figure 1

Aircraft maintenance delays (AMD) remain a significant challenge in commercial aviation, adversely affecting operational efficiency, flight punctuality, and passenger satisfaction. Despite advancements in maintenance strategies, recurring disruptions continue to generate financial losses and reputational risks. This study proposes an integrated five-step framework that combines failure mode and effects analysis (FMEA) with the Define–Measure–Analysis–Improve–Control (DMAIC) methodology to systematically address and reduce AMD. The framework involves the definition of problems, the identification of contributing factors and failure modes, the assessment of risk and root cause analysis, the mitigation of risk, and continuous monitoring. The main contribution of this study lies in the integration of FMEA and DMAIC into a unified data-driven system that proactively reduces maintenance delays, offering a novel approach to continuous process improvement in aviation operations. Its practical applicability is demonstrated through a case study of the AFRIQIYAH Airways Airbus A320 fleet, which represents the majority of the airline’s operations. High-risk landing gear failure modes were identified, evaluated and addressed through targeted improvement projects, including predictive maintenance, supplier diversification, inventory optimization, and improved quality assurance for critical spare parts. Implementing these initiatives is expected to reduce the overall Risk Priority Number (RPN) by approximately 59%, highlighting the effectiveness and potential to minimize AMD.

This article examines the phenomenon of the AI testbed and practices of testing-in-the-wild. It combines historical and sociological approaches to understand how the settler-colony of Australia has come to be treated as an ideal test site, using commercial drone delivery company Wing Aviation as a case study. It connects the figuration of Australia as contemporary testbed with histories of the nation as a colonial experiment. I argue that this historical frame has been consistently deployed to justify the treatment of lands and peoples as experimental subjects across a range of domains—from medical science, penal management, and military operations. In doing so, I show how Australia has been treated as a test site and Australians as test subjects based on changing imaginaries of the nation and its people—from proxies for whiteness and Empire in the colonial period, to multiculturalism and ethnic diversity in the contemporary era.

ABSTRACT Market opportunities fluctuate for Ultra Low‐Cost Carriers (ULCCs) in US commercial aviation. This paper examines the industry growth of ULCCs through a taxonomy based on infrastructure, equipment, people, and technology. The focus then turns to estimates from a panel of market data to model the behavior of four carrier classes, including ULCCs and National Legacy Carriers (NLCs). The model helps investigate the evolution of the aviation market structure in the US via estimates of how ULCCs and NLCs respond to population, tourism, per capita income, and service levels. Through this growth phase, ULCCs matched NLCs in responding to some factors but differed significantly in others. The findings suggest that airlines examine their relationships with the system's basic elements and interdependence among carriers before determining developing responses. Further, airline managers and other managers in the industry, for example, airport directors, should consistently reexamine responses to market changes.

Structural Health Monitoring (SHM) has been attracting the research community in recent decades to enable the design of lighter, safer, and even cleaner aircraft. Therefore, considering that SMH is a critical aspect of the maintenance and safety of an aircraft's infrastructure, this study sought to explore the growing influence of Artificial Intelligence (AI) on SHM in the commercial aviation sector, showing the main benefits of using AI in this segment. The methodology applied to develop this study was a literature review. The research carried out had an exploratory-descriptive aspect, of a qualitative nature. It was concluded that, with the advancement of digitalization, the volume of data processed by production and maintenance companies is growing and, consequently, the demand for AI to manipulate this data is also growing. AI-based predictive maintenance can help optimize maintenance plans, predict the remaining useful life of components and, consequently, prevent damage.

One of the barriers for the wider use of Prognostics and Health Management (PHM) systems in regular usage in commercial aviation has been the need to certify all components and functions related to PHM. Because PHM systems are not entirely like other systems on an aircraft, little guidance has been provided by the authorities or standards development organizations (SDO) in regards to such certification. Additionally, there is a lack of guidance for the continued airworthiness of the PHM system, i.e., rules for monitoring, maintaining, and updating them. We are not even touching on the ever sensitive topic of the need for significant monetary investment in the development, testing, manufacture, and operations of the PHM system, which OEMs are loath to do. However, there is some good news in the offing. One piece of this complex puzzle has recently been solved and in this paper, we will review and report on three events of significant progress which will help with the development and deployment of PHM systems for commercial aircraft. The MPIG (the Maintenance Programs Industry Group, which develops the maintenance guidance commercial aircraft – MSG) published guidance on how a PHM task can replace an approved scheduled maintenance. Next, the FAA (Federal Aviation Administration) published an advisory circular laying out the requirements for what an end-to-end PHM system needs to comply with to be deployed on aircraft certified in the US. But even more critically, the SAE’s E-32 (Propulsion Health Management) technical committee published a short guidance on how to certify a PHM system – and any required ground support equipment – on an engine. The HM-1 (Integrated Vehicle Health Management) committee later updated this guidance to include the entire vehicle. With these three recent developments, one part of getting PHM systems on aircraft is made easier. Other challenges – such as justifying them financially – still remain, but it will be harder to argue that the certification and continued airworthiness authorities are not in favor of employing PHM systems in commercial aviation.

Pilots are undoubtedly among employees who undergo rigorous medical evaluations to ensure they are fit to fly. However, accidents like the Germanwings Flight 9525 highlight that medically unfit individuals can still end up in the cockpit. This study sought to investigate Greek pilots' attitudes toward medical reporting, given that the available national research is very limited. Semistructured interviews were conducted and analyzed through Thematic Analysis with subjects (N = 18) from general, military, and commercial aviation in Greece during the first quarter of 2024. Cross-sectoral differences were identified through Content Analysis. The primary barrier to medical reporting, identified by 16 out of 18 subjects (88% of the sample), was the fear of losing their pilot license, which would have major consequences for their income and way of life. Additionally, concerns about the perceived damage to professional identity and a deep passion for flying contributed to their reluctance to disclose medical issues. A general tendency to conceal medical problems from the Aeromedical Examiner during the annual medical certificate renewal was identified, particularly when such issues were considered of minor importance (61% of the sample). Although the findings align with international research, this study identified a more pronounced tendency among subjects to conceal medical issues they perceived as unimportant. The establishment of compulsory loss-of-pilot-license insurance was the major mitigation measure proposed by the interviewees. Nonetheless, its effectiveness remains questionable according to the literature, and further research is recommended in this area. Kioulepoglou P, Makris I. Medical reporting behavior of military, commercial, and general aviation pilots. Aerosp Med Hum Perform. 2025; 96(10):903-910.

Modeling Fatigue Associated with Workload in Commercial Aviation Operations

Background: In the dynamic world of commercial aviation, the efficient management of ground handling (GH) operations in aircraft turnarounds is an increasingly complex challenge, often perceived as operational chaos. Methods: This paper introduces the “Critical Minute Theorem” (CMT), a novel framework that integrates mathematical architecture principles into the optimization of GH processes. CMT identifies singular temporal thresholds, tk* at which small local disturbances generate nonlinear, system-wide disruptions. Results: By formulating the turnaround as a set of algebraic dependencies and nonlinear differential relations, the case studies demonstrate that delays are not random but structurally determined. The practical contribution of this study lies in showing that early recognition and intervention at these critical minutes significantly reduces propagated delays. Three case analyses are presented: (i) a fueling delay initially causing 9 min of disruption, reduced to 3.7 min after applying CMT-based reordering; (ii) baggage mismatch scenarios where CMT-guided list restructuring eliminates systemic deadlock; and (iii) PRM assistance delays mitigated by up to 12–15 min through anticipatory task reorganization. Conclusions: These results highlight that CMT enables predictive, non-technological control in turnaround operations, repositioning the human analyst as an architect of time capable of restoring structure where the system tends to collapse.

Objective: This study aims to analyze the influence of internal communication practices in Brazilian airlines on aeronauts’ intention to recommend their companies as workplaces, contributing to greater employee engagement and talent retention. Theoretical Framework: The research is grounded in theories of organizational communication, employer branding, and organizational identification, highlighting internal communication as a strategic tool in high-turnover environments such as the airline industry. Method: A quantitative approach was adopted, using a structured questionnaire answered by 378 aviation professionals. Data were analyzed through exploratory factor analysis and multiple regression to identify key dimensions of internal communication and their impact on aeronauts’ recommendations. Results and Discussion: Four main dimensions were identified: “Relationship with the Communication Department,” “Use of Internal Communication Tools,” “Organizational Identification,” and “360º Integration.” Together, they explain 40% of the intention to recommend, with “Organizational Identification” and “360º Integration” being the most influential. Positive aspects such as meeting quality and interpersonal relationships were noted, but weaknesses emerged regarding the ineffective use of electronic tools and limited access to strategic leadership. Research Implications: The findings underscore the importance of more effective communication policies to enhance integration, improve employee experience, and strengthen employer branding in the airline industry. Originality/Value: This study contributes to the literature by providing empirical evidence on the role of internal communication in retaining and engaging aeronauts, highlighting dimensions rarely explored in Brazilian commercial aviation.

In-flight medical events are an inevitable challenge in commercial aviation. Managing these events is complicated by constrained medical resources and delayed access to definitive care. To characterize the epidemiology of in-flight medical events and identify factors associated with aircraft diversion, hospital transport, and in-flight mortality. This cohort study included 77 790 in-flight medical events reported to a global ground-based medical support center from January 1, 2022, through December 31, 2023. All passengers experiencing an in-flight medical event across 84 participating airlines during the study period were included. Data were collected from consultations initiated by flight crew via radio or satellite communication with a dedicated ground-based physician. No demographic or clinical exclusions were applied. Medical conditions occurring during commercial flights that prompted contact with the ground-based support center. Data included clinical presentation, in-flight management, passenger demographics, involvement of volunteer medical professionals, and disposition. Primary outcome was aircraft diversion, and secondary outcomes were hospital transport and in-flight mortality. Descriptive statistics, univariate analyses, and multivariable analyses were used to identify clinical and operational variables associated with these outcomes. Among 77 790 in-flight medical events, the overall incidence was 39 events per 1 million enplanements, with 1 event per 212 flights, or 17 events per billion revenue passenger kilometers. The median (IQR) age of affected passengers (42 316 females [54.4%]) was 43 (27-61) years. Aircraft diversion occurred in 1.7% of cases, most frequently due to neurologic (41%) and cardiovascular (27%) conditions. Suspected stroke (adjusted OR [AOR], 20.35; 95% CI, 12.98-31.91) and acute cardiac emergencies (AOR, 8.16; 95% CI, 6.38-10.42) were the factors associated with the highest odds of diversion. The involvement of a physician volunteer was also associated with increased odds of diversion (AOR, 7.86; 95% CI, 4.49-13.78). In this cohort study of 77 790 in-flight medical events, these events occur more frequently than previously reported. Serious neurologic conditions, cardiac events, and physician volunteer involvement are each associated with higher odds of diversion. These findings contribute to the understanding of in-flight medical event frequency and outcomes and may inform policy, flight crew training, and diversion protocols.

Aircraft are subject to fatigue damage during navigation, which can compromise structural integrity over time. The adhesively bonded composite patch repair technique has emerged as an effective solution for military aircraft and has recently gained traction in the commercial aviation industry. This study investigates the impact of composite patch repairs, using carbon/epoxy patches, on fatigue crack propagation (FCP) in 2024-T3 aluminum alloy. The performance of double-patch repairs on notched aluminum panels was evaluated and compared to single-patch repairs. Results demonstrate that double-sided patch repairs nearly doubled the fatigue life improvement compared to single-sided repairs, significantly outperforming unpatched specimens. Patch repairs enhanced fatigue life by reducing crack growth rates by up to 50% and increasing cycles to failure by 2–3 times, depending on repair configuration. Furthermore, parametric studies revealed that a stiffness ratio of S ≈ 1 (optimized via Rose’s equation) maximized load transfer efficiency, while higher stress ratios (R = 0.4) extended fatigue life more effectively than lower ratios (R = 0.1). Smaller notch diameters (e.g., D = 10 mm) further prolonged service life by mitigating stress concentrations. Fatigue life predictions using the NASGRO equation corroborated experimental trends, confirming the durability of patch repairs under variable stress conditions.