Flight Instrument Research Articles

Investigating the chemical space coverage of multiple chromatographic and ionization methods using non-targeted analysis on surface and drinking water collected using passive sampling

Multiple non-targeted analysis tools were used to look for a broad range of possible chemical contaminants present in surface and drinking water using liquid chromatography separation and high-resolution mass spectrometry detection, including both quadrupole time of flight (Q-ToF) and Orbitrap instruments. Two chromatographic techniques were evaluated on an LC-Q-ToF with electrospray ionization in both positive and negative modes: (1) the traditionally used reverse phase C18 and (2) the hydrophilic interaction liquid chromatography (HILIC) aimed to capture more polar contaminants that may be present in water. Multiple ionization modes were evaluated with an LC-Orbitrap, including electrospray (ESI) and atmospheric pressure chemical ionization (APCI), also in both positive and negative modes. A suspect screening library of over 1300 possible environmental contaminants, including pesticides, pharmaceuticals, personal care products, illicit drugs/drugs of abuse, and various anthropogenic markers was made with experimentally collected data with the LC-Q-ToF with both column types, with 227 chemicals being retained by the HILIC column. The non-targeted methods using multiple chromatographic and ionization modes were applied to environmental water samples collected with polar organic chemical integrative samplers (POCIS), including surface water upstream and downstream from wastewater effluent discharge, and the downstream drinking water intake and treated drinking water for three distinct sampling events. For the LC-Q-ToF, 442 chemical features were detected on the C18 column and 91 with the HILIC column in the POCIS extracts, while 556 features were found on the Orbitrap workflow by ESI and 131 features detected by APCI. Over 100 chemicals were tentatively identified by suspect screening and database searching. The comprehensive and systematic evaluation of these methods serve as a step in characterizing the chemical space covered when utilizing different chromatography and ionization methods, or different instrument workflows on complex environmental mixtures.

Validation of a Motion Sickness Prediction Model via Flight Tests on DLR’s Bo-105 Helicopter

In previous work, a motion sickness prediction model aimed at vertical lift applications was developed. To validate this model, flight tests with an MBB Bo-105 Helicopter owned and operated by the DLR were conducted. In total, 32 test subjects were flown in 16 sorties on 30 min sinusoidal flight paths of various frequencies. The test design and implementation included the development of a suitable measurement flight instrumentation, auditive cueing systems for accurate following of the test trajectory, and questionnaires for recording motion sickness during flight. The results are analyzed, and it is shown that the previously developed motion sickness prediction model agrees well with the motion sickness observed during flight in the case of medium motion sickness.

A Survey of Medical Visualization Through the Lens of Metaphors.

We provide an overview of metaphors that were used in medical visualization and related user interfaces. Metaphors are employed to translate concepts from a source domain to a target domain. The survey is grounded in a discussion of metaphor-based design involving the identification and reflection of candidate metaphors. We consider metaphors that have a source domain in one branch of medicine, e.g., the virtual mirror that solves problems in orthopedics and laparoscopy with a mirror that resembles the dentist's mirror. Other metaphors employ the physical world as the source domain, such as crepuscular rays that inspire a solution for access planning in tumor therapy. Aviation is another source of inspiration, leading to metaphors, such as surgical cockpits, surgical control towers, and surgery navigation according to an instrument flight. This paper should raise awareness for metaphors and their potential to focus the design of computer-assisted systems on useful features and a positive user experience. Limitations and potential drawbacks of a metaphor-based user interface design for medical applications are also considered.

Experimental evaluation of wind turbine wake turbulence impacts on a general aviation aircraft

Abstract. Continued development of wind farms near populated areas has led to rising concerns about the potential risk posed to general aviation aircraft when flying through wind turbine wakes. There is an absence of experimental flight test data available with which to assess this potential risk. This paper presents the results of an instrumented flight experiment in which a general aviation aircraft was flown through the wake of a utility-scale wind turbine at an operating wind farm. Wake passes were flown at different downwind distances from the turbine, and data were collected on the orientation disturbances, altitude and speed deviations, and acceleration loads experienced by the aircraft. Videos and pilot statements were also collected, providing qualitative information about the disturbances encountered in the wake. Results show that flight disturbances were small in all cases, with no difference observed between flight data inside and outside the wake at distances greater than six rotor diameters from the turbine. At distances closer than six rotor diameters, small load factor and orientation disturbances were noted but were commensurate with those experienced in light or moderate atmospheric turbulence. Overall, the loads and disturbances experienced were far smaller than those that would risk causing loss of control or structural damage.

Artemis I Versus Wind-Tunnel Buffet-Induced Forces and Structural Responses

This paper presents comparisons of buffet forcing functions (BFFs) and associated structural responses for the Space Launch System from two data sources: 1) Artemis I (AR01) Developmental Flight Instrumentation (DFI) and 2) transonic wind-tunnel (WT) tests. Failures of DFI sensors prevented the development of a complete set of flight-based BFFs, where each BFF is based on azimuthal integration over 360 deg of unsteady pressures acquired by sensor rings placed at many longitudinal stations along the vehicle. Instead, a set of equivalent flight- and WT-based BFFs was developed based on functional DFI and WT sensors that share the same locations. Root-mean-square (rms) levels of equivalent BFFs from flight and WT data are in-family for most of the cardinal Mach numbers. However, at stations downstream of the solid rocket booster (SRB) forward attachment (FA) protuberance, the rms of flight-based BFFs exceeds their WT counterparts. Strikingly, vortex shedding off the FA protuberance occurs at lower frequencies during flight than in WT experiments. This frequency shift propagates onto the spectrum of flight-measured versus WT-based structural responses. As a result of this frequency mismatch, at certain AR01 vortex shedding frequencies, the flight responses are an order of magnitude higher than their WT-based counterparts. Thus, at AR01 vortex shedding frequencies, the WT-based BFFs do not provide an accurate estimation of the flight environments. Away from AR01 vortex shedding frequencies, the AR01-based responses are within or sometimes exceed a range of WT-based responses. This observation indicates that, outside of frequencies that are impacted by vortex shedding, the WT-based BFFs are fairly well representative of the flight environments.

The Use of Computational Algorithms to Display the Aircraft Instruments That Work with Gyroscopic and Magnetic Physics (Theory for Programming an Elementary Flight Simulator)

The Use of Computational Algorithms to Display the Aircraft Instruments That Work with Gyroscopic and Magnetic Physics (Theory for Programming an Elementary Flight Simulator)

SuperBIT Superpressure Flight Instrument Overview and Performance: Near-diffraction-limited Astronomical Imaging from the Stratosphere

SuperBIT was a 0.5 m near-UV to near-infrared wide-field telescope that launched on a NASA superpressure balloon into the stratosphere from New Zealand for a 45-night flight. SuperBIT acquired multiband images of galaxy clusters to study the properties of dark matter using weak gravitational lensing. We provide an overview of the instrument and its various subsystems. We then present the instrument performance from the flight, including the telescope and image stabilization system, the optical system, the power system, and the thermal system. SuperBIT successfully met the instrument’s technical requirements, achieving a telescope pointing stability of 0.″34 ± 0.″10, a focal plane image stability of 0.″055 ± 0.″027, and a point-spread function FWHM of ∼0.″35 over 5-minute exposures throughout the 45-night flight. The telescope achieved a near-diffraction-limited point-spread function in all three science bands (u, b, and g). SuperBIT served as a pathfinder to the GigaBIT observatory, which will be a 1.34 m near-UV to near-infrared balloon-borne telescope.

High‐Efficiency Multilevel Phase Lenses with Nanostructures on Polyimide Membranes

AbstractThe emergence of planar meta‐lenses on flexible materials has profoundly impacted the long‐standing perception of diffractive optics. Despite their advantages, these lenses still face challenges in design and fabrication to obtain high focusing efficiency and resolving power. A nanofabrication technique is demonstrated based on photolithography and polyimide casting for realizing membrane‐based multilevel phase‐type Fresnel zone plates (FZPs) with high focusing efficiency. By employing advantageous techniques, these lenses with nanostructures are directly patterned into thin polyimide membranes. The computational and experimental results have indicated that the focusing efficiency of these nanostructures at the primary focus increases significantly with increasing the number of phase levels. Specifically, 16‐level phase lenses on a polyimide membrane can achieve a focusing efficiency of more than 91.6% of the input signal (9.5 times better than that of a conventional amplitude‐type FZP) and focus light into a diffraction‐limited spot together with very weak side‐lobes. Furthermore, these lenses exhibit considerably reduced unwanted diffraction orders and produce extremely low background signals. The potential impact of these lenses extends across various applications and techniques including microscopy, imaging, micro‐diffraction, remote sensing, and space flight instruments which require lightweight and flexible configurations.

Cognitive load assessment for cadet pilots in simulated aircraft environment-pilot study

PurposeThis study aims to propose a methodology aimed at understanding the cognitive and physiological processes inherent in cadet pilot operations. Through analyzing responses from two cadet pilots with varied experience levels across diverse simulation scenarios, the research uses descriptive statistics, t-test, one-way ANOVA and percentage change analysis to explore crucial variables, including heart rate (HR), heart rate variability (HRV) and respiratory rate (RR).Design/methodology/approachThe investigation meticulously examines HR, HRV and RR under circumstances encompassing resting state, visual flight rules and instrument flight rules with engine failure. Pilots undergo comprehensive analyses employing statistical techniques and visual representations to comprehend cognitive loads and physiological adaptations.FindingsSignificant disparities emerge between the two pilots, elucidating the profound impact of experience on cognitive and physiological outcomes. Novice cadet pilots exhibit heightened variability during scenario transitions, while experienced cadet pilot demonstrate controlled responses, indicative of adaptability. Visual flight simulations evoke distinct responses, whereas instrument-based scenarios, particularly those simulating emergencies, lead to pronounced physiological changes.Practical implicationsThe findings of this research hold practical significance in introducing the proposed novel methodology for monitoring Cadet pilots to refine pilot training simulation protocols and enhance aviation safety by illuminating the interplay between experience levels and scenario complexities.Originality/valueThis study proposes a novel methodology for investigating cognitive and physiological responses in pilot operations, mainly investigating cadet pilots’ vital parameters through diverse analytical methods and an exploration of scenario-specific demands.

Improve anti-glare ability of helicopters based on the anti-reflective structure of bionic moth eyes

This thesis focuses on the issue of glare during helicopter night navigation, which is caused by the high reflectivity of cockpit instruments, displays, and windshield surfaces. This can result in pilot eye fatigue and pose a serious threat to flight safety. To address this problem, a bionic moth eye antireflection structure is designed and prepared on the windshield glass surface using a combination of self-assembly and reactive ion beam technology. The aim is to reduce the surface reflectivity of the windshield glass and prevent glare. The anti-reflective structure comprises of conical structures with a size cycle of 15 nm and a structure height of 2000 nm. The surface of both sides is microstructured, resulting in a reduction of surface reflectivity from 8% to 0.5% at the wavelength of 300 nm to 800 nm. The passing rate is increased from 92% to 99.5%, and the applicable angle is greater than 50°). The anti-glare ability is improved by about 16 times. This thesis proposes a solution to the problem of glare during helicopter night navigation by designing and implementing a bionic moth eye antireflection structure on the windshield glass surface using self-assembly and reactive ion beam technology. The results show a significant reduction in surface reflectivity and improved anti-glare ability, which can contribute to enhancing flight safety.

Review of the Air Force Academy No.1 (49)/2024 49 FROM CLEAR SKIES TO ALL - WEATHER: THE EVOLUTION OF THE U.S. ARMY'S OPERATIONAL CAPABILITIES

Nowadays, within the Air Force, pilots train for instrumental flying in adverse weather conditions. The instrument flight program developed by the US military over 30 years ago, from the end of World War I to the late 1940s, is still in use today in many pilot training programs around the world. During the development of this program, the military was at the forefront of technological development.

Additional Clearance over Obstacles to Determine Minimum Flight Altitude in Mountainous Terrain

The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) specifies that in the design phase of instrument flight procedures, an additional clearance may be added to an obstacle when flights are over mountainous terrain. This clearance increase can be up to 100 per cent of the minimum obstacle clearance (MOC). Airspace and instrument flight procedure designers usually face the problem of determining what value should be applied, since setting the maximum value of 100% often implies operational penalties, but there are no standardized criteria to determine lower values. The ICAO PANS-OPS indicates that the additional clearance over obstacles in mountainous areas is caused by two effects, both related to orography and wind speed. The first effect is due to the altimeter indication error. The second one is related to the loss of altitude when an aircraft is exposed to turbulence produced by mountain waves. This paper presents a methodology for determining the additional clearance to be applied over obstacles when, in the flight procedure design phase, the overflight of mountainous terrain is expected. Through this methodology, results have been achieved for the proposal of an appropriate additional clearance. The development of graphs and tables allows us to identify which additional value should be considered in each case.

HELICOPTER PROCEDURE DESIGN FOR AIR TRAFFIC MOVEMENT IMPROVEMENT: A CASE OF KERTAJATI INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT

A review of Aeronautical Information Publication Indonesia Volume II indicates a critical infrastructure deficiency at Kertajati International Airport. The absence of a designated helipad presents a significant obstacle for air traffic controllers. This research proposed helicopter procedures designed for instrument flight rules to improve air traffic movement at Kertajati International Airport. A qualitative approach using interviews and document analysis was employed. The research identified a critical omission: the absence of designated helicopter take-off and landing locations. This lack of a framework hinders safe and efficient traffic management. The proposed procedure addresses this challenge by providing a structured approach for managing mixed rotary-wing and fixed-wing traffic, potentially reducing human error and delays, and fostering informed decision-making by air traffic controllers.

MRO overview: Sixteen years in Mars orbit

Launched on August 12, 2005, the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter (MRO) entered Mars orbit on March 10, 2006. Following a period of aerobraking, MRO completed its entry into its primary science orbit in September 2006, initiating a program of systematic observations of Mars that still continues. Five providers, including the Italian Space Agency, provided 6 instruments for flight, observing the surface, atmosphere, and subsurface of Mars with greater spatial resolution and systematic coverage than ever before. Two investigations utilized the spacecraft accelerometers and tracking of the orbiter via the Deep Space Network to study upper atmosphere densities and the gravity field of the planet. The data acquired by MRO have revealed a dynamic planet whose change from an ancient wetter climate to the drier climate of today was a complex transition and not a simple “drying out”. Furthermore, that climate continues to change even today. The diversity of the early habitable environments, the ice ages recorded in the polar cap layering and subsurface ice deposits, the repeating patterns of dust storms, and the revelation of new features at the limit of resolution are all part of the scientific return from MRO during nearly a decade of Mars years. The story of that mission, of the evolution of its capabilities, and its contributions to our current understanding of Mars are the subject of nearly two dozen papers in the Icarus special issue, MRO: Sixteen Years at Mars. Three papers describe in more detail the evolution of instrument operations and data products over the mission; several papers describe new analysis techniques for the radar, including construction of 3-dimensional views, and for the atmospheric sounder, enabling better retrievals in a dusty lower atmosphere. Other papers report on recent research including, but not limited to, dune movement, the roles of water and carbon dioxide ice in surface change, and attempts to understand the formation and fading of the enigmatic recurring slope lineae. This paper describes general aspects of the MRO spacecraft, payload, and mission as context for the special issue papers; it also summarizes scientific results and mission support events on a mission phase by mission phase basis to give a time history of discovery and effort.

Learning from Mistakes: A Thematic Analysis of Flight 401's Situational Awareness Lapses

Situational awareness is a fundamental pillar in aviation, essential for safety, operational efficiency, and crew training. This study focuses on the tragedy of Eastern Airlines Flight 401 as a case study to illustrate the importance of effective communication and Crew Resource Management (CRM) in preventing accidents. Through thematic analysis, the research reveals how pilot distractions, cockpit instrument malfunctions, and communication failures in critical conditions contributed to the accident. The findings indicate that comprehensive training that integrally incorporates technological aspects and human factors, as well as an emphasis on effective CRM, is crucial. Practical implications of this research include the development of training modules aimed at enhancing interactive and collaborative communication among crew members. The study also recommends future research focus on aviation technology, air traffic control dynamics, and human-machine interactions, with the goal of deepening understanding of situational awareness dynamics and advancing aviation safety practices. These findings are expected to make a significant contribution to the literature on situational awareness and aviation safety practices.

Research on Removing Image Noise and Distortion in Machine Dial Recognition

This study aims to address the issues of image noise and distortion in machine dial recognition via initial denoising. A wavelet local threshold denoising method that combines high-frequency wavelet coefficients with wavelet decomposition coefficients in various directions is proposed. This method shows good results on 102 images of car dashboards, aircraft instrument panels, spacecraft displays, and dial instruments on robots. Although a few denoised images exhibit distortion due to intense lighting or heavy contamination, the denoising accuracy for the remaining images is 98.04%, demonstrating substantial practical value. Future research will concentrate on addressing complex image noise and structures.

Prerequisites for Statistical Analyses of the Quality of Instrument Flight Procedures

Instrument flight procedures are essential and critical components of the global aviation system. They are designed for all phases of flight, i.e. the standard instrument departures, standard instrument arrivals, instrument approaches and the en-route phase of flight. Instrument flight procedures are designed from various aeronautical data, information, dimensions, etc., which are named instrument flight procedure elements according to this paper. Development of air navigation systems affect design of instrument flight procedures and flexible use of airspace. The design process is carried out within a framework defined by international and national standards, organizational norms and economic aspects. Instrument flight procedure elements are a fundamental part of the process. Deviations of these elements from full compliance with international regulations can significantly and negatively affect air traffic safety. The objective of this paper was to investigate the basic prerequisites for statistical analysis of the design quality of instrument flight procedures, which have not been explored before. Six prerequisites were proposed for acquiring the data and preparing them for further statistical use.

Simulation of spin-echo SANS (SESANS) using McStas on monochromatic and time of flight instruments

We conduct simulations of Spin Echo Small Angle Neutron Scattering (SESANS) by employing Monte Carlo methods to a setup using four magnetic Wollaston prisms. Our primary focus involves the validation of these models, encompassing monochromatic scenarios across various neutron wavelengths to ascertain the reliability of the simulations. Subsequently, we extend this validation to encompass simulations in time-of-flight mode. Our model consistently and precisely predicts the scattering patterns emanating from dilute spheres in both monochromatic and time-of-flight modes. Notably, it also accurately reproduces the intricate encoding associated with scattering occurring between the third and fourth magnetic Wollaston prism, which provides us with another approach to increase the solid angle coverage of a SESANS instrument. This validation process conclusively demonstrates the efficacy of our simulation methods. Importantly, it paves the way for simulating more intricate and realistic instrumental configurations, broadening the horizons for future research endeavours.

Corner cutting accuracy for thin-walled CFRPC parts using HS-WEDM

Carbon Fiber-Reinforced polymer (CFRP) composite parts with thin-walled corners are in great demand in aircraft, cars, and precision instruments. Nonetheless, the fabrication of these parts is difficult due to their low stiffness. High-speed WEDM is an advanced technique for cutting thin CFRP components as it is a non-contact method for removing materials. Nonetheless, testing results demonstrate an unavoidable deformation in the thin-walled corners of the CFRP composite. The objective of this study is to improve the accuracy of corners in thin-walled CFRP composite parts. The research utilized a Taguchi L16 orthogonal array to investigate the influence of various process parameters, including pulse-on duration (Pon), pulse-off duration (Poff), and input current (I), as well as the parameter CFRP plate thickness (T), on corner inaccuracy. The CFRP thickness varied between 0.5, 1.0, 1.5, and 2.0 mm, and the corner angles examined were 30°, 60°, 90°, and 120°. Additionally, a second-order polynomial regression model was used to determine the correlation between the process parameters and corner inaccuracy at various corner angles. Also, a multi-response optimization technique using a composite desirability coupled with a generalized reduced gradient were used to find the optimal process combination across various CFRP thicknesses. According to the research findings, the most relevant process parameters impacting corner accuracy at different angles were the pulse-on duration and input current. To achieve accurate corners with different angles, the optimal process parameters were identified: Pon (40µs), Poff (15µs), and I (4A) for CFRP thicknesses 0.5 and 1.0mm, and Pon (45μs), Poff (30μs), and I (2A) for thicknesses 1.5 and 2.0mm.

Analysis of aromatic carboxylic acid and calcium salt couples with gas chromatography-mass spectrometry: Implications and comparison with in situ measurements at Mars' surface

Aromatic organic salts such as benzoates or phthalates may be widespread degradation products of organic molecules at the surface of Mars. The low volatility of these aromatic carboxylic salts could have compromised their detection through thermal extraction in situ analyses such as those performed by the Viking landers. However, over the years, analytical chemistry laboratories on board current and future Martian surface missions, such as the Sample Analysis at Mars (SAM) instrument suite on board the Curiosity rover and the Mars Organic Molecule Analyzer (MOMA) instrument of the Rosalind Franklin ExoMars rover, respectively, have evolved. These instruments have improved in efficiency to detect refractory and polar organic compounds, which could influence the detection of aromatic organic salts. To evaluate the capability of detecting aromatic organic salts on Mars with in situ instruments, we performed laboratory experiments under Viking, SAM, and MOMA-like Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC–MS) conditions with two carboxylic acid/salt couples: phthalic acid/calcium phthalate and benzoic acid/calcium benzoate. We studied the behavior and signatures of both molecular forms when using pyrolysis and derivatization experiments and the implications of these results in the search for organic molecules on Mars. This study showed that the Viking experiments could not have detected the presence of aromatic carboxylic salts in Martian samples because its maximum pyrolysis temperature was too low (500 °C). However, we showed that calcium benzoate and calcium phthalate, despite their refractory nature, could be identified indirectly through the detection of thermal and derivatized degradation products, both with SAM and MOMA. No conclusive proof of the presence of these aromatic organic salt species have been found in the SAM in situ data but given the right instrumental set-up they could be detected if present. The conclusions of this work raise essential questions on the detectability of refractory molecules, the analytical efficiency of flight instruments, and the interpretation of in situ data.