Aviation Management Research Articles

AVIATION SAFETY MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS: A COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS BETWEEN SAFETY MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS (SMS) AND MAINTENANCE STEERING GROUP VERSION 3 (MSG-3)

Improving safety was the goal when Maintenance Steering Group (MSG) was first introduced for the Boeing 747 in 1968. The goal was to develop a system of evaluation for scheduled maintenance by using decision logic. This was MSG-1. As theory evolved, MSG-2 brought process orientation and failure modes analysis. Then in 1978, United Airlines, commissioned by the Department of Defense, developed a methodology based on tested and proven airline practices. With that MSG-3 was born. MSG-3 is the current standard for risk management in aviation (McLoughlin, 2006). In 2006, ICAO released a new initiative known as Safety Management Systems (ICAO, SMM, 2006). All domains within aviation will be required to implement a safety management system that complies with ICAO’s guidelines set forth by member states within their own regulations. This is the SSP or State Safety Program. The goal is to provide support for continued evolution of a proactive strategy to improve safety performance (ICAO Safety Management, n.d.). Aviation safety is key, but it is certainly not a new goal. The purpose of this paper is to compare the two programs, MSG-3 and SMS. The study reveals similarities and differences of organizational structures and procedures required to carry out the programs. By identifying growth areas for expertise and personnel, this analysis may be of interest to those starting the journey into SMS.

Short‐range probabilistic forecasting of convective risks for aviation based on a lagged‐average‐forecast ensemble approach

ABSTRACTAn hourly initialized numerical weather prediction model, AROME‐NWC, optimized for nowcasting purposes was used in this study to predict the probabilities of occurrence of convective aviation risks by generating an ensemble of time‐lagged forecasts. The objective is the prediction of echotop and reflectivity maximum based on simulated 3D radar reflectivity columns. Forecasts were postprocessed using an upscaling of the model output fields in order to account for uncertainties in horizontal positions. Simulated radar reflectivities were bias corrected using a quantile‐to‐quantile mapping resulting in an improvement of the ensemble performance. A lagged‐average‐forecast ensemble was then constructed in order to blend mesoscale deterministic and ensemble forecasts, using numerical weather prediction systems that will soon be available in real time. The probabilities of reflectivities predicted by the ensemble are shown to have objective value at thresholds that are meaningful for air traffic control. Possible applications for aviation management purposes are discussed.

Data mining application on aviation accident data for predicting topmost causes for accidents

Aviation safety management system is a vital component of the aviation industry. Aviation safety inspectors apply a broad knowledge about aviation industry, aviation safety, and the central laws and regulations, and strategies affecting aviation. In addition, they put on severe technical knowledge and skill in the operation and maintenance of aircraft. Data mining methods also have been successfully applied in aviation safety management system. Aviation industry accumulates large amount of knowledge and data. This paper proposes a method that applied data mining technique on the accident reports of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) accident/incident data system database which contains accident data records for all categories of civil aviation between the years of 1919 and 2014. In this study, we have investigated the application of several data mining methods on the accidents reports, to arrive at new inferences that could help aviation management system. Moreover correlation based feature selection (CFS) with Oscillating Search Technique is used to select the number of prominent attributes that are potential factors causing maximum number of accidents in aircraft. The principle of this work is to find out the effective attributes in order to reduce the number of the accidents in the aviation industry. This proposed novel idea named "improved oscillated correlation feature selection (IOCFS)" is evaluated against the conventional classifiers like Naive bayes, support vector machine (SVM), artificial neural network (ANN), k-nearest neighbor (k-NN), Multiclass classifier and decision tree (J48). The selected features are tested in terms of their accuracy, running time and reliability as in terms of true positive rate, false positive rate, precision, recall-measure and ROC. The results are seen to be the best for k-NN classifier on comparing with other conventional classifiers, with the value of k = 5.

Development of Quality Management System Under ISO 9001:2015 and Joint Inspection Group (JIG) for Aviation Fuelling Service

Abstract The Joint Inspection Group (JIG) standard for aviation fuel quality management assists in the operational process and maintenance of aviation fuel from its point of origin and through distribution systems to airports. Currently, problems arise as the JIG standard and quality management in aviation fuel are isolated and have independent procedures. Merging the JIG standards with ISO 9001:2015 can override original JIG’s philosophy by connecting all quality assessment, and management parties involved, throughout the supply chain. This integration can harmonize auditing tasks, focusing on risk/opportunity, and continue quality improvement focus. This paper proposes a development of quality management system (QMS) under ISO 9001:2015 for aviation fuelling service in a systematic way. The content and critical success factors of ISO 9001:2015 and JIG standards were studied. The beneficial synergies, similarities, and logical linkages between both standards are identified. This QMS was developed in the largest petroleum company in Thailand and 60 selected experts were surveyed, with a response rate of 88.3%, for their agreement on integrated criteria. Two external quality auditors, who have ISO 9001 and JIG expertise, were interviewed to modify our initial proposed QMS. The final QMS was implemented in the into-plane fuelling services as the first phase of this implementation. Results of framework implementation are discussed in a case study. There are mutual benefits resulting from the integration of JIG and ISO 9001:2015 standards. This QMS provides a unified process for quality management practices, and enhances the effectiveness of risk evaluation as well as the opportunity for continued quality improvement. It facilitates the identification of ISO 9001:2015 requirements and establishes relationships between the roles of JIG standard and the clauses of ISO 9001:2015. The first experience from five airports as the pilot study of proposed QMS implementation minimized conflicts and duplications between JIG and ISO 9001:2015 standards, reduced the number of into-plane fuelling service incidents reported, such as oil spill, machine stoppage, re-inspections, and recall costs.

ИМИТАЦИОННАЯ МОДЕЛЬ АДАПТИВНОГО ТРЕНАЖНО-МОДЕЛИРУЮЩЕГО КОМПЛЕКСА СПЕЦИАЛИСТОВ УПРАВЛЕНИЯ АВИАЦИЕЙ

Introduction: The constantly increasing air traffic intensity and tough safety demands require the systematic improvement of training and educational facilities for upgrading the professional level of aviation management specialists. Therefore, developing a theory of synthesizing an adaptive training simulator looking like an expert system is an important task. Our interest to this problem is associated with finding new ways of increasing the efficiency of training complexes by introducing cognitive technologies into the management structure of the training facilities. Purpose: The goal is to create a simulation model of an adaptive training simulator for aviation management specialists, and to develop a learning process management structure which would describe the change in the state of a learner in a formalized mathematical representation. Results: The structure has been developed for a simulation model of an adaptive training simulator for aviation management specialists, as an evaluation subsystem subset. The model provides objective criteria for judging whether the learner’s knowledge and skills match the required level. Also, the model generates corrective actions which affect the current thematic section of the training program for the traffic service and the training subsystem in which, due to the corrective actions, a program is formed for mastering the given thematic section according to the individual traits of the trainees. An algorithm is obtained to calculate complex estimates of the training level for a set of monitored parameters. This algorithm finds estimates based on the results of test exercises from special training courses for aviation specialists. As a generalizing estimate for parameters of different nature, it is suggested to use the averaging criteria of accuracy and performance. The proposed method allows you to obtain estimates of the efficiency of adaptive training simulators with elements of an expert system. Practical relevance: The developed cognitive structure of a learning process management system and the obtained algorithm for determining complex estimates of aircrew proficiency level allow you to proceed to the creation of a new generation of effective training complexes whose introduction will improve the flight safety due to better professional training of the aviation specialists.

Closed-Loop Communication Improves Task Completion in Pediatric Trauma Resuscitation

Pediatric trauma care requires effective and clear communication in a time-sensitive manner amongst a variety of disciplines. Programs such as Crew Resource Management in aviation have been developed to systematically prevent errors. Similarly, teamSTEPPS has been promoted in healthcare with a strong focus on communication. We aim to evaluate the ability of closed-loop communication to improve time-to-task completion in pediatric trauma activations. All pediatric trauma activations from January to September, 2016 at an American College of Surgeons verified level I pediatric trauma center were video recorded and included in the study. Two independent reviewers identified and classified all verbal orders issued by the trauma team leader for order audibility, directed responsibility, check-back, and time-to-task-completion. The impact of pre-notification and level of activation on time-to-task-completion was also evaluated. All analyses were performed using SAS® version 9.4(SAS Institute Inc., Cary, NC). In total, 89 trauma activation videos were reviewed, with 387 verbal orders identified. Of those, 126(32.6%) were directed, 372(96.1%) audible, and 101(26.1%) closed-loop. On average each order required 3.85 minutes to be completed. There was a significant reduction in time-to-task-completion when closed-loop communication was utilized (p < 0.0001). Orders with closed-loop communication were completed 3.6 times sooner as compared to orders with an open-loop [HR = 3.6 (95% CI: 2.5, 5.3)]. There was not a significant difference in time-to-task-completion with respect to pre-notification by emergency service providers (p < 0.6100). [HR = 1.1 (95% CI: 0.9, 1.3)]. There was also not a significant difference in time-to-task-completion with respect to level of trauma team activation (p < 0.2229). [HR = 1.3 (95% CI: 0.8, 2.1)]. While closed-loop communication prevents medical errors, our study highlights the potential to increase the speed and efficiency with which tasks are completed in the setting of pediatric trauma resuscitation. Trauma drills and systems of communication that emphasize the use of closed-loop communication should be incorporated into the training of trauma team leaders. This is a prospective observational study with intervention level II evidence.

Environmental management in aviation and aerospace industries: a baseline analysis on employees' perspectives

This paper is a part of a research project on environmental management systems (EMS) in aviation and aerospace industries. The research aim is to define the key indicators to promote the implementation of environmental management systems (EMS) in aviation and aerospace industries, achieving employees' engagement. The research objectives focus on investigating factors that influence the commitment of aviation staff's on environmental management; how to develop employees' knowledge and examine their view on how environmental management practices could be applied in aviation industries. The baseline of personnel's environmental attitude and knowledge on ISO 14001 is presented. The research methodology is developed using the online survey distributed to the employees of aviation and aerospace industries globally, receiving 330 responses. The data analysis is quantitative descriptive analysis. The study's findings show that employees' engagement could be improved using a model including an environmental scheme, the organisation's culture, and the implementation of ISO14001 requirements.

Environmental management in aviation and aerospace industries: a baseline analysis on employees' perspectives

This paper is a part of a research project on environmental management systems (EMS) in aviation and aerospace industries. The research aim is to define the key indicators to promote the implementation of environmental management systems (EMS) in aviation and aerospace industries, achieving employees' engagement. The research objectives focus on investigating factors that influence the commitment of aviation staff's on environmental management; how to develop employees' knowledge and examine their view on how environmental management practices could be applied in aviation industries. The baseline of personnel's environmental attitude and knowledge on ISO 14001 is presented. The research methodology is developed using the online survey distributed to the employees of aviation and aerospace industries globally, receiving 330 responses. The data analysis is quantitative descriptive analysis. The study's findings show that employees' engagement could be improved using a model including an environmental scheme, the organisation's culture, and the implementation of ISO14001 requirements.

Визначення ризиків в цивільній безпілотній авіації

Мета: Ризики у безпілотній авіації цивільного призначення розглядаються як одні із найважливіших. У статті обґрунтовано актуальність питання забезпечення безпеки польотів повітряних суден та розглянуто основні ризики в пілотованій цивільній авіації. Методи: Проведено аналіз даних про авіаційні події та проведено розподіл ймовірностей виникнення авіаційних подій для пілотованої та безпілотної цивільної авіації з метою виявлення факторів, які впливають на виникнення позаштатних ситуацій у пілотованій і безпілотній авіації. Результати: Запропоновано типологію складових ризиків у цивільній авіації, систематизовано способи та прийоми зниження ризиків. На основі аналогій визначено ймовірні ризики, причини їх виникнення та шляхи подолання в цивільній безпілотній авіації. Обґрунтовано розподіл вагових коефіцієнтів між типами ризиків задля формування рекомендацій з управління ризиками у безпілотній цивільній авіації. Обговорення: Встановлено, що найбільш ймовірними ризиками у пілотованій цивільній авіації є людський фактор, організація управління повітряним рухом, недоліки конструкції безплотної авіаційної системи в цілому, а також обслуговування безплотної авіаційної системи.

Human risk factors associated with pilots in runway excursions

A breakdown analysis of civil aviation accidents worldwide indicates that the occurrence of runway excursions represents the largest portion among all aviation occurrence categories. This study examines the human risk factors associated with pilots in runway excursions, by applying a SHELLO model to categorize the human risk factors and to evaluate the importance based on the opinions of 145 airline pilots. This study integrates aviation management level expert opinions on relative weighting and improvement-achievability in order to develop four kinds of priority risk management strategies for airline pilots to reduce runway excursions. The empirical study based on experts’ evaluation suggests that the most important dimension is the liveware/pilot’s core ability. From the perspective of front-line pilots, the most important risk factors are the environment, wet/containment runways, and weather issues like rain/thunderstorms. Finally, this study develops practical strategies for helping management authorities to improve major operational and managerial weaknesses so as to reduce the human risks related to runway excursions.

Assessing the Correlation Between Environmental Awareness and Variability of Employees' Positions in Aviation and Aerospace Industries

The purpose of this study is to assess the awareness and attitudes of employees in Aviation and aerospace industries. This paper belongs to a wider research project, on environmental management in aviation and aerospace industries. The main scope of this research is to evaluate the level of environmental awareness and the adoption of environmental management practices. The present descriptive study was carried-out at Greece, collecting a sample in a global level. The opinion of people employed in aviation industry is considered, based on the versatility of their working positions. Up to this stage, 330 respondents have participated globally in the current research. This study uses a questionnaire survey to gain an understanding of the views and attitudes of aerospace staff toward environmental management. The results demonstrate that the level of environmental awareness is immediately linked with the employees' positions.

Recommendations For Improvement Of Collegiate Flight Training Operational Efficiency Through Guided-Inquiry Inductive Learning

Efficiency in higher education has increasingly come under scrutiny as student debt levels continue to increase and the quantification of the value provided to students by colleges remains elusive. Collegiate flight training operations are especially subject to such scrutiny, due to their expense and to continued below-average entry-level salaries in the airline industry. This research examines an inductive learning approach combined with a flipped classroom, whereby aviation management students in a large Midwestern collegiate aviation program analyzed the operational efficiency of their primary flight training operation and recommend potential solutions and means of implementation. Such an approach provides multiple benefits. The resulting improvement in scheduling efficiency results in better use of existing capacity, and can be utilized to allow additional students to matriculate in the program, subsequently reducing student fees for all enrolled students by spreading fixed costs over a wider customer base. In addition, the management students participated in the development and implementation planning of empirical solutions to the problem, thereby addressing a call from industry to incorporate practical projects in the classroom to achieve greater comprehension and retention of subject matter. A number of alternative assessment methods (Frank & Barzilai, 2004), including semi-structured student interviews, surveys, peer evaluations, and analysis of deliverables, were utilized, and these indicated that classroom engagement and subject matter retention was improved by the delivery methods that were employed.

An experimental investigation of lean management in aviation

Purpose– The purpose of this paper is to identify important factors those which constrain implementation and sustenance of lean strategies in aviation sector and ways to avoid slow attrition within annals of lean.Design/methodology/approach– This research is exploratory in nature and survey methodology is used for assessing the post lean management implementation environment. The focus of study is cross-sectional, within aircraft industry based on the information collected through survey and a case study.Findings– The reasons for the weak sustenance of lean initiative have been identified. The measures as undertaken in the case study implied a successful turnaround of specific department. Comparison with automobile industry indicates suggestions and pitfalls to be avoided with suitable illustration.Research limitations/implications– The target of the study is the aircraft manufacturer and hence it has the limitation in terms of the scope. However, overall results are encouraging with the survey generating expected inputs and underline the need for similar research in the aerospace sector. The study has implications for managers in all types of industrial environment, especially in aviation, in the era of globalized lean supply chain establishment.Practical implications– Inputs obtained are from both industrial research in a live environment and a case study which impacts lean management in industries.Originality/value– This paper presents novel inputs regarding post lean implementation scenario in aviation sector, which has complicated internal processes. It also tries to establish factors relevant for any organization in assessing lean initiatives.

Civil aviation management during explosive volcanic eruptions: A survey on the stakeholders' perspective on the use of tephra dispersal models

Impacts of explosive volcanic eruptions on civil aviation were reconsidered after the 2010 Eyjafjallajökull eruption in Iceland, which caused unprecedented disruptions of air traffic operations in Europe. During and after the aviation breakdown of April–May 2010, communication between the involved stakeholders was recognized as a major concern. Due to the complexity and multidisciplinary nature of the topic, a great number of actors are involved, which often have little interaction outside these exceptional events. In this work, we aim at identifying the relationships between the stakeholders involved in aviation management during eruptions, as well as their needs and priorities. We perform an anonymous on-line survey, focused mainly on the use of tephra dispersal models for civil aviation purposes. We collect feedback on recent developments including our current impact assessment research, which produced a GIS-based software tool to estimate impacts on aviation based on tephra dispersal forecasts. Answers allow identifying stakeholders' requirements on ash dispersal forecasts and their use for aviation management purposes. We underline the main differences between three homogeneous groups (aviation managers and employees, modellers and field scientists, other stakeholders) and identify main end-user requirements for developing tools similar to ours. This work provides useful insights for the development of tools to support aviation stakeholders during volcanic eruptions.

Supply chain risk management in aviation and aerospace manufacturing industry - an empirical study

Supply chain risk management in aviation and aerospace manufacturing industry - an empirical study

Ramp Area Support System: Limitations of Modeling Approach to an Airport Apron Area

Many factors contribute to the punctuality of the time dependent aviation industry; numerous studies have been performed which attempt to improve efficiencies of the surface movement of aircraft. Modeling results can be used to analyze future projects and can help inform and influence capital decision-making. This work focuses on some of the limitations associated with applying a modeling approach to the dynamic systems found within the ramp area at major metropolitan airports. While modeling can be a valuable tool in short term resource management and planning in aviation, traditional approaches to dynamic modeling of airports do not adequately measure, nor quantify, the effects of industry changes on ramp operations. Without a more holistic approach to modeling the integration of the systems operating in the ramp area, there will always be a statistical probability that the model fails to account for important variables that alter operating practices and make each ramp area unique.

СОВРЕМЕННОЕ ПРЕДСТАВЛЕНИЕ О СТРУКТУРАХ В СИСТЕМАХ ТЕХНИЧЕСКОГО ОБСЛУЖИВАНИЯ И РЕМОНТА ГРАЖДАНСКОЙ АВИАЦИИ РОССИИ

The article is devoted to problems of modern development of Russian civil aviation sector after Soviet Union “Perestroika” time at the part of creation of profitable aviation organization structures. The author investigates a number of reasons of the crisis at Russian civil aviation at the time related to mass replacement of Russian aircraft by foreign ones. It resulted in the structure crisis and collapse of some Russian airlines. The author gives a description of aviation engineering and technical service as a part of the Russian civil aviation complex. The author described the changes happened because of involving of foreign aircraft in the Russian civil aviation. The transformation of the structure of Sverdlovsk First United Squadron maintenance base organized before 1991 to Ural Airlines aviation technical center by 2007 is shown as an example. Ural Airlines is a successor of Sverdlovsk First United Squadron until 1993. It was made to save an acceptable flight safety level, regularity of flights and provide sufficient economic efficiency of operation of foreign aircraft in Russia. There is one variant of maintenance organization structure development shown there. As a modern approach of enterprise management in the civil aviation sector the universal system approach to creation of a specific ideal model of the organization structure of aviation engineering and maintenance is proposed. It enables to assimilate any type of aircraft without critical economic losses. The organization enterprise development helps to solve the question of cost cutting for aircraft operation.

The unmitigated insider threat to aviation (Part 2): an analysis of countermeasures

Aviation security efforts have long focused on detecting, deterring, and responding to external threats presented by users of aviation systems. Historical data of crime, terrorism, and other security risk factors warrant aviation managers to develop a keen awareness for threats from inside their organizations. Workplace violence, crime, terrorism, smuggling, and other undesirable forms of employee behavior warrant an evaluation of security measures to detect, deter, and respond to insider threats. This study sought to identify “best practice” security processes, ascertain security effectiveness, and provide a baseline for shaping aviation security policy. Interviews were conducted among six aviation industry experts from the fields of academia, airline companies, airports, trade organizations, and government agencies to establish consensus about the effectiveness of available security measures to mitigate the risks presented by insider threats. The study incorporated a qualitative research approach for identifying and validating prevailing themes. This study is the part two continuation of previous research which assessed the key risks presented by insider threats.

The unmitigated insider threat to aviation (Part 1): a qualitative analysis of risks

Traditional aviation security methods place strong emphasis on managing the risks of aviation passengers and customers. Little emphasis is placed on monitoring and mitigating the security risks presented by industry employees. Once vetted, aviation employees are often granted a “trusted” status that affords them nearly unfettered access to critical aviation infrastructure, aircraft, and equipment. News articles are rife with anecdotes of airport, TSA, and airline employees using their access and knowledge of aviation security procedures to commit crimes of theft and violence. This study sought to understand the perceptions of aviation managers about the unique security risks presented by employees--the insider risk. Interviews were conducted with six senior aviation managers from academia, airline companies, airports, trade organizations, and government agencies to ascertain each executive’s impressions about the risks presented from insider threats. Interviews were analyzed using qualitative research methodology for emerging themes and sub-themes. This study is part one of a two-part study to ascertain the key risks presented by insider threats and establishing aviation security countermeasures.

A model to forecast airport-level General Aviation demand

General Aviation (GA) demand forecast plays an important role in aviation management, planning and policy making. The objective of this paper is to develop an airport-level GA demand forecast model. The GA demand at an airport is modeled as a function of social-economic and demographic factors, the availability of supply factors, the competition from the commercial aviation, the number of based aircraft, and the presence of a flight school. Our models suggest that the relative fuel price – fuel price compared with personal income – is a significant determinant of airport level GA demand. The elasticity of itinerant and local GA demand with respect to the relative fuel price is −0.43 and −0.52, respectively. Our results are compared with those reported in other studies. Furthermore, we made projections of GA demand for the airports in the Terminal Area Forecast (TAF) using three fuel price scenarios from the Energy Information Administration. Our projections under the “business-as-usual” fuel price scenario are close to those in the TAF. Our models could prove useful, for example, for the Federal Aviation Administration and airport planners to prepare airport-level GA demand forecast.