Air Transport Safety Research Articles

ESTIMATION DE LA VISIBILITÉ MÉTÉOROLOGIQUE À L’AIDE DES LIENS MICRO-ONDES COMMERCIAUX DE TÉLÉCOMMUNICATIONS

Several factors can attenuate radio signal between transmitting and receiving antenna. One can cite: vegetation, atmospheric gases, fog, water vapor, transmission instruments, rain, temperature, etc... The sources of attenuation differ according to the climate and the relief of each continent or even each country. In this work we aim to show that there is link between microwave signal attenuation and weather visibility in the presence of dust. Weather visibility is a very important factor for the safety of road, sea, rail and air transportation. In the presence of dust, the visibility is strongly reduced and there is also a strong attenuation of the microwave signal propagating between two antennas. By performing a linear regression on the attenuation-visibility scatter plot, we propose a method for real-time estimation of the visibility knowing the microwave signals attenuation. A correlation measurement between the visibility estimated by our method from the real attenuation data of the mobile phone operator Telecel Faso SA (Burkina Faso) and the visibility measured by the National Meteorological Agency of Burkina Faso (ANAM) gave a correlation coefficient of 0.86.

The Air Transport Agreement Between the EU and the UK: A New Approach

The Trade and Cooperation Agreement (TCA) is the first agreement incorporating air transport and aviation safety in a comprehensive agreement for trade in goods and services. Its sections on air transport and aviation safety reflect a traditional sectoral approach regulating traffic rights and aviation safety. Provisions which apply to various sectors including aviation such a competition law, environmental protection and reduction of CO2, social rights as well as institutional provisions are commonly defined for all sectors. This novel approach is a welcome step forward of dealing with aviation as a service industry similar to others. At the same time, the TCA – at least with respect to aviation – is a divorce agreement reducing a once comprehensive integration of the UK into the EU air transport market to a relationship ensuring bilateral connectivity.

Institutional Measures of Air Transport Safety Strategic Management at the Level of State Regulation

World leaders gathered at the United Nations (UN) and adopted the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. It is a plan of action aimed at achieving global sustainable development in economic, social and environmental areas, which ensures that no UN member state is left behind. The 17 sustainable development goals on the 2030 Agenda can be used as benchmarks for the coordinated development of UN member states. Aviation safety is an important component of the concept of general national security, the system of personal security, ecological and public safety and transport safety from external and internal threats. Maintaining an acceptable level of national aviation safety is a priority for the industry. The aviation transport is a part of the transport complex of Ukraine, which is an important component in the structure of the national economy and a link between all components of economic security to ensure the basic conditions of life and development of the state and society. The assessment of economic, technological, safety, social and ecological hazards is an integral part of all the logical blocks of the structural and functional scheme of strategic management of aviation safety in terms of sustainable development of the national economy. According to the concept of national aviation risk management developed by the authors, risk can be assessed as a mutual combination of hazarad, vulnerability and consequences. The application of this concept in relation to the air transport of Ukraine allowed to identify the main hazards, vulnerabilities, consequences and risks. The next step in the implementation of the concept is to develop institutional measures to neutralize threats in the field of aviation safety, which is actually a set of risk reduction measures for further sustainable development of the national economy. This article summarizes the hazards, vulnerabilities, consequences, risks, and institutional arrangements for strategic aviation safety management. Among the priority measures are: harmonization of national regulation of air transport with the requirements of global and regional levels, development of mechanisms for commercial protection of domestic air transport enterprises in the COVID-19 pandemic, implementation of strategic scenarios for sustainable development of air transport in Ukraine until 2030. The implementation of the proposed institutional measures will ensure an appropriate level of safety, efficiency and regularity of the national air transport of Ukraine.

Modelling and simulation of DME navigation global service volume

• Availability area analysis of distance measuring equipment global network. • Service volume is estimated based on path loss model. • Distance measuring equipment. • DME service can be provided only in 27.76% of global airspace. Safety of air transportation strongly depends on the performance of on-board positioning sensors. Positioning by data from navigational aids is considered by international aviation community as one of the main stand-by positioning approaches onboard of civil airplanes. However, only positioning by pair of distance measuring equipment (DME) meets requirements of Performance-Based Navigation. A DME service volume model based on path loss between a pair of transmitting and receiving antennas has been proposed in the paper. The model takes into account the influence of relief on radio waves propagation and diffraction from high-altitude elements of relief. The proposed model has been used in the analysis of DME global network performance. In particular, performance of a global network is analyzed based on availability area of DME service, area of positioning by pairs of DME/DME support, availability of particular positioning accuracy, and areas of meeting various RNAV requirements. Obtained results indicate that only in 27.76% of global airspace a DME service can be provided. However, only within 15.9% of airspace, a DME/DME positioning can be used. Results of the analysis indicate about the necessity of actions for further development of global navigational aids network in order to guarantee safe airlines connections around the globe.

Влияние антикоррозионных пленкообразующих составов на усталость авиационных конструкций. Обзор исследований

Corrosion of aircraft structures is one of the main factors limiting the duration of their operation, affecting on the economic efficiency and safety of air transport. Corrosion protection is performed at the stage of manufacturing aircraft structures, during their repair and operation. One of the additional measures of anti-corrosion protection is the use of film-forming coatings, which displace moisture from the gaps of structural joints, form a protective film, and also slow down the corrosion process. The protective properties of film-forming coatings are investigated by standard corrosion tests. At the same time, the specifics of aircraft structures and the possible side effects of the use of anti-corrosion compounds require special studies. The article presents an analysis of works in which the effect of film-forming anticorrosive compounds on the fatigue of elements of aircraft structures is considered.The main type of joints in the structure of modern aircraft are riveted joints. The high penetrating ability of film-forming materials ensures their penetration into the gaps of riveted joints, which, in some cases, can affect the frictional forces between the connected elements, which ensure the integrity of the joints. In some experimental investigations, the influence of film-forming compositions on the kinetics of fatigue crack growth is noted as a side effect. A number of possible mechanisms of deceleration and acceleration of the rate of crack propagation are considered. Experimental data concerning the effect of anticorrosive compounds on the fatigue of riveted joints and the process of propagation of fatigue cracks in structural materials, indicate the need to develop a universal methodology for the selection and use of film-forming compositions for the protection of aircraft structures from corrosion, taking into account the minimization or prevention of negative side effects on the service life of aircraft.

Robustness Analysis of Air Route Network Based on Topology Potential and Relative Entropy Methods

Air route network (ARN) is the important carrier of air transport, and its robustness has important influence on the safety and stability of air transport. To analyze the robustness of ARN, in this paper, a topology potential relative entropy (TPRE) model is proposed, based on topology potential (TP) and relative entropy (RE) methods. Firstly, the TPRE model is established as the theoretical basis for the research. Secondly, an air route reduction network (ARRN) model is constructed according to real Chinese ARN. Besides, the basic topology features of ARRN are given by complex network theory. To prove the applicability, objectivity, and accuracy of the proposed method, attack strategies including random, degree, betweenness, closeness, eigenvector, and Bonacich are used to attack ARRN. Eventually, the performance of ARRN robustness is analyzed by network efficiency, size of giant component, and the proposed TPRE model. This conclusion has practical significance for optimizing ARN structure and improving airspace efficiency.

Theoretical basis of forensic expert investigation of accidental events on air transport

The purpose of the article is to study and develop theoretical and methodological principles of forensic aviation technical expertise, recommendations for the application of special knowledge in criminal, civil, commercial and administrative proceedings to prevent, detect, investigate and consider by investigators / courts crimes related to violations of regulations legal acts on traffic safety or operation of air transport, as well as improving its methodology, justification and formulation of recommendations for legal evaluation of results and increase the effectiveness of the use of forensic conclusions in the process of proof. The methodological basis of the study are the laws and categories of the theory of knowledge, in particular the provisions of materialist dialectics, which contributed to the understanding of the purpose and objectives, subject, object, research issues in the context of interdependence of achievements and needs of practice. At the same time, the methods of formal logic (analysis, synthesis, deduction, induction, analogy, abstraction) made it possible to understand in more detail the content of the studied questions, the essence of the studied categories and phenomena was clarified by the system-structural method. The Ministry of Justice of Ukraine has created a new type (subtype) of forensic examination: “Aviation Technical” and forensic specialty 10.25 “Investigation of aviation events and incidents”, so the article formulates the basic concepts of forensic aviation technical examination, namely: identifies the main issues, which are decided by forensic aviation technical examination; tasks, subject, object which give the chance to understand essence and the maintenance of expert activity of these researches; the tasks of a specific examination are distinguished from the tasks of other related types of examinations in this area. The process of researching air transport objects is quite complex, diverse and specific. The problems facing the investigation (court) determine the feasibility of creating and developing a theoretical basis for a new type (subtype) of forensic examination: “Aviation Technical” and forensic specialty 10.25 “Investigation of aviation events and incidents”. To solve the tasks and create a coherent system of expert research in air transport, it is necessary to conduct a set of research works to develop a methodological basis for this type (subspecies) of forensic examination.

Determination of the flight trajectory in terms of emission and fuel consumption minimization

The present-day world is characterized by the intense development of air transport. However, along with it, significant problems appear. Among these problems, the most important are those relating to safety and negative impact of air transport on the environment. Air transport efficiency and profitability issues, although not critical, must also be taken into account because they decide about the intensity of development of this branch of transport. There are currently two large programs in Europe oriented at improving safety, environmental, and efficiency indicators. These are SESAR 2020 and Clean Sky 2, being a continuation of previous ones. One of the ways to reduce negative impact of air transport on the environment and improve its efficiency is to reduce fuel consumption and pollutants emissions resulting from fuel combustion. To find solutions with the abovementioned features, it is necessary to have sufficiently accurate models to estimate the amount of fuel consumed and the amount of pollutants emitted. Developing a sufficiently accurate model to determine fuel consumption and pollutants emission was performed. Due to the specificity of the missions carried out by passenger aircraft, the focus was on the cruise stage when aircraft flies at a constant altitude with a constant air speed. The result of the analysis was the development of methodology for fuel consumption and emission of main pollutants in cruise conditions. Specific fuel consumption is calculated for the thrust required for horizontal flight at cruising altitude. Emission indexes for CO, NOx, HC, and CO2 for the cruise have been determined based on known indexes for the landing and take-off cycle phase, after applying appropriate corrections. An illustration of the application of the developed methodology was the optimization of a medium-sized transport aircraft trajectory on a selected connection to determine a trajectory characterized by a minimum emission value taking into account weather conditions.

Safety, speed, and effectiveness of air transportation for neonates.

In Japan, 44.3% of neonates are delivered in private clinics without an attending pediatrician. Obstetricians in the clinics must resuscitate asphyxiated neonates in unstable condition, such as respiratory failure, and they are frequently transferred to tertiary perinatal medical centers. There has been no study comparing the physiological status and prognosis of neonates transported by ambulance with those transported by helicopter. Medical and transport records were used to compare the physiological status of neonates transported to Kagoshima City Hospital by land and those transported by air between January 1, 2013, and December 31, 2017. Data from 425 neonates transferred by land and 143 by air were analyzed. There were no significant differences between the two groups in mean gestational age, mean birthweight, fetal blood pH, Apgar score, or the Score for Neonatal Acute Physiology with Perinatal Extension-II (SNAPPE-II) on arrival to the tertiary center (16.3±15.4 [95% confidence interval (CI): 13.2-17.7] vs 16.4±15.4 [95% CI: 13.9-19.0], respectively; P=0.999); both groups had SNAPPE-II score 10-19, indicating no difference in mortality risk. The times to starting first aid and to admission to the intensive care unit were significantly reduced in neonates transported by air than by land. In subgroup analysis of patients of a gestational age ≤28weeks, all cases of severe intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH) were observed in the land transportation group. Neonatal transportation by air is as safe as land transportation, and time to first aid and intensive care are significantly reduced by transportation by air than by land. Air transport could also contribute to the prevention of IVH in neonatal transportation.

SYSTEMIC APPROACH TO DETERMINING THE SAFETY OF SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT OF AIR TRANSPORT: INDICATORS, LEVEL, THREATS

The article is dedicated to methods of integrating the safety of air transport in the mechanism of interaction between sustainable development goals and strategic management of sustanable development security through managerial, functional, and informational links between subsytems of sustainable development and different hierarchal levels of safety. This determines the place and role of aviation safety in ensuring fundamental national interests, i.e. sustainable development of national economy. The multifactor hierarchal model detailing the level of safety of air transport was developed in accordance with the system approach in the context of sustainable development and combines the economic and technological, social, and environmental components. It is proposed to consider a total of 7 components and 29 indicators that include shadow economy aspects, without which the current conditions cannot be estimated accurately. The boundaries of safe existence have been defined for all indicators using Student’s t-test. The conducted modelling has determined the current values of all indicators and the safety level of air transport as a whole. Identification has been carried out in accordance with the latest assessment methodology, including the multiplicative integral indices, modified method of normalization and formalized determination of dynamic weights. The list of threats and their severity have been determined using two criteria. Distance from the point of sustainable development, i.e. average value of the «homeostatic plateau», was used to identify the list and importance of threats, while the severity of threats was calculated using elasticity coefficients. The calculations show that the safety of air transport depends foremost on the social component, as well as economic and technological development of aviation.

Does Free Route Implementation Influence Air Traffic Management System? Case Study in Poland.

The issue addressed in this publication concerns new Air Traffic Management (ATM) functionality, identified in the Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) No 716/2014, known as Flexible Airspace Management and Free Route (FRA). The authors pose a question—does free route implementation influence air transport safety? What can be done to maintain the current level of safety and still implement modern solutions? To achieve the aim of this paper a developed concept of Risk Priority Number (RPN) calculation, with determination of main RPN components rating scales, in order to carry out the FMEA (Failure Mode and Effects Analysis) risk analysis of FRA implementation was done. The results allow lining up of the identified potential incompatibilities according to their criticality to the system. In effect it can be said that each modification in a management system, related to safety, influence the safety itself. Nevertheless, this influence does not always lead to negative impact.

Assessment of TAF, METAR, and SPECI Reports Based on ICAO ANNEX 3 Regulation

The Terminal Aerodrome Forecast (TAF) is one of the most prominent and widely accepted forecasting tools for flight planning. The reliability of this instrument is crucial for its practical applicability, and its quality may further affect the overall air transport safety and economic efficiency. The presented study seeks to objectify the assessment of the success rate of TAFs in the full breadth of their scope, unlike alternative approaches that typically analyze one selected element. It aspires to submit a complex survey on TAF realization in the context of ANNEX 3 (a regulation for Meteorological Service for International Air Navigation issued by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO)) defined methodology and to provoke a discussion on the clarification and completion of ANNEX 3. Moreover, the adherence of TAFs to ICAO ANNEX 3 (20th Edition) is examined and presented on the example of reports issued in the Czech Republic. The study evaluates the accuracy of TAF forecast verified by Aerodrome Routine Meteorological Report (METAR) and Special Meteorological Report (SPECI), whose quality was assessed first. The required accuracy of TAFs was achieved for most evaluated stations. A discrepancy in terms of formal structure between actually issued reports and the ANNEX 3 defined form was revealed in over 90% of reports. The study identifies ambiguities and contradictions contained in ANNEX 3 that lead to loose interpretations of its stipulations and complicate the objectification of TAF evaluation.

Правовое регулирование авиационного бизнеса в России: поиск баланса между обеспечением транспортной безопасности и эффективностью авиаперевозок

The article discusses the trends in the development of legislation regulating the aviation business in the Russian Federation, in particular, theoretical and practical issues related to the efficiency and safety of air transportation, as well as the search for a balance between them. The article reveals the history of forming the concepts «transport security» and «aviation security» in the Soviet and modern Russian legislation. In order to clarify the Russian state authorities` powers distribution in the field of transport security and their consolidation in the current legislation, the authors investigate the features of the powers of these bodies in the historical retrospect from the beginning of the XIX century. The authors critically analyze the implementation of the certain provisions of the Government of the Russian Federation «On the approval of requirements for ensuring transport security, taking into account the safety levels for air transport vehicles», the implementation of which causes significant problems for air transport operators. It is established that the implementation of these provisions is difficult: it will significantly aggravate the existing economic situation of aircraft operators, and in combination with the general negative trends in the world can lead to a possible mass bankruptcy of domestic small and medium-sized airlines. The authors suggest ways to solve the identified problems. In particular, a possible solution in finding a balance between transport safety and the cost-effectiveness of air transportation may be a «transition period», during which the expansion of the requirements under study will affect only new aircraft.

Application of specialized exercises for the development of strength qualities of future air transport safety specialists

The article deals with the problems of finding the most rational method of developing the strength qualities of students of civil aviation universities, and in particular the direction of training “Air Navigation” (ATC), by optimal distribution of the time of power loads for the formation of professional training of future specialists of airfield services. In the structure of such training, a special place is occupied by power qualities, which are most important for specialists of airfield services, who ensure the safety of air transport. Strength training not only increases the body’s resistance to the effects of adverse environmental factors and strengthens the immune system, but also optimizes the functional state of the body. However, the issues of the development of strength abilities with the use of time indicators in the distribution of specialized loads are currently insufficiently studied and do not have a scientific basis in the general system of physical training of students of educational institutions of civil aviation. In the study performed on students, the search for optimal methods for the development of strength qualities was conducted by changing the time indicators in the distribution of specialized loads. Students performed strength and speed-strength exercises with high intensity and subjective power of effort, as well as cyclic exercises that require endurance when they are performed repeatedly. These exercises were considered by us as complex means of forming motor qualities. The studied main indicators of strength qualities allowed us to determine the main vector of building classes for future specialists in the field of training “Air Navigation” (ATC) and the means of controlling the functional activity of those involved. The experimentally based methodology for the development of power qualities is recommended for use in the educational process of educational institutions of civil aviation.

Environmental safety of the air transport: the problems and the solutions

This article presents the results of an interdisciplinary study of problems and ways to solve them in the field of ensuring the environmental safety of air transport in Russia and in the world, carried out by its authors. The environmental safety of air transport in Russia is provided in Russian legislation to a greater extent formally, but based on a rather deeply developed concept of “safety”, covering all areas of life. Wherein, there is an acute lack of collection and publication of quantitative indicators on which development of this research topic shall be based, in the adopted regulatory legal acts there is inconsistency and lack of development is felt. The authors focus on the need for scientific research in Russia and preparation of regulatory legal acts at a new qualitative level as overcoming Russia’s position as a catching-up country in this and a number of other areas, presenting new promising areas as a result of their scientometric work, including personal responsibility of passengers for reducing carbon emissions from their air travel.

VIII Международная научно-практическая конференция «Актуальные аспекты развития воздушного транспорта» (АВИАТРАНС-2019), приуроченная к 50-летию Ростовского филиала МГТУ ГА (Ростов-на-Дону, 21–23 июня 2019 г.)

The 8th International Research-to-Practice Conference “Current Aspects of Air Transport Development” was held in Rostov-on-Don. About 300 participants from more than 50 entities from Russia and several foreign countries attended the conference. They discussed numerous relevant matters of civil aviation development: issues of management and safety in air transport, current aspects of implementation of communication technologies in Russia and worldwide, the strategy of cooperation between CIS countries and China in the development of passenger air transportation, and others. The domestic and international researchers presented their studies findings. A collection of papers with over 1000 pages in two volumes, as well as a joint scientific monograph were issued as a result of the conference.

Indicators of air transport sustainable development

World leaders gathered at the United Nations (UN) and adopted the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. It is a plan of action aimed at achieving global sustainable development in economic, social and environmental areas, which ensures that no UN member state is left behind. The 17 sustainable development goals on the 2030 Agenda can be used as benchmarks for the coordinated development of UN member states. Aviation safety is an important component of the concept of general national security, the system of personal security, ecological and public safety and transport safety from external and internal threats. Maintaining an acceptable level of national aviation safety is a priority for the industry. The aviation transport is a part of the transport complex of Ukraine, which is an important component in the structure of the national economy and a link between all components of economic security to ensure the basic conditions of life and development of the state and society. The assessment of economic, technological, safety, social and ecological hazards is an integral part of all the logical blocks of the structural and functional scheme of strategic management of aviation safety in terms of sustainable development of the national economy. The task of the article is to determine and substantiate the main indicators of economic and technological development, safety, social and environmental components of air transport and assess their level. In the article the authors propose and present the dynamics in the period from 2010 to 2020 of 29 indicators of sustainable development of air transport of Ukraine, such us share of aviation transport in the gross value added (transport and communications); level of investment in aviation transport; level of export services of air transport; level of import services of aviation transport; level of shadowing of aviation transport; coefficient of manufacturability of aviation transport; capital utilization coefficient; level of shadow capital load; level of use of passenger capacity of aircraft and helicopters; level of renewal of fixed assets; cargo transport capacity of GDP by aviation transport; passenger transport capacity of GDP by aviation transport; average distance of cargo aviation transportation; average distance of passenger aviation transportation; ratio of domestic and international aviation transportation; catastrophes, accidents, serious coefficients for regular commercial/irregular commercial/non-commercial flights and execution of aviation works/training flights; level of wages in the production of aviation transport; level of employment in air transport; coefficient of population mobility; level of official GVA created by shadow wages; level of shadow employment; level of CO2 emissions of aviation transport of Ukraine to GDP; level of emissions of pollutants into the atmosphere; level of environmental costs of aviation transport. Authors determine their threshold and optimal values. Indicators are given in groups in the above areas. Indicators are divided into stimulants (indicators that contribute to the sustainable development of air transport and the national economy) and disincentives (indicators that hinder the sustainable development of air transport and the national economy). The solution of this problem will make it possible to conduct a comprehensive assessment of the current state of air transport in Ukraine on the basis of a systematic approach

Air Terrorism as a Threat to the Safety of Air Transport

The author of this article addresses the issue of the threat posed to air transport security by air terrorism. The main goal of this article is to identify the specific threats arising from air terrorism and examine their implications for the functioning of air transport as a whole. The dangers posed by attacks using hijacked light aircraft as well as large passenger airliners are highlighted. The article is based on the literature study and the author’s own analyses of the issue.

CYBERSECURITY IN THE CIVIL AVIATION AND EXISTING CHALLENGES

Purpose of the article: by this article the author wants to reveal the provisions and features regulations, structures and standards of International Organizations works in Cybersecurity in The Civil Aviation. The methodological basis of the research comprises general scientific and special methods. Results: the legislation of ICAO and ITAO is vitally crucial to ensure cybersecurity for the civil aviation. All stakeholders, in particular, public and private sectors as wells as the representatives of academia should be involved in the process of protecting critical infrastructure of the Civil Aviation. Discussion: cyber security in civil aviation is mainly based on the cyber technologies used to increase the safety and efficiency of air transport. At the same time, the interconnection of systems and reliance on technology is a prerequisite for the emergence of new cyber threats and risks. An interconnected computer system is widely used in the aviation industry.

Utilization of Aircraft System Data for Air Transport Safety and Efficiency

The article is focused on aircraft’s flight and system data utilization for aviation safety and efficiency. This includes work with Performance Engineering Programs (PEP) output which is based on data recorded by Data Management Unit (DMU). Output is analyzed using tools supported by MS Office. The goal is to provide simple guidelines for operators that are unable to afford the systems for automatic data check send by the aircraft manufacturers.