Posts

Weather Hazards

Image
 Lightning Have you ever had a flight been delayed or canceled due to weather? This is because weather is an important consideration and potential safety hazard when involved with aviation. Although it is rare, I believe that the weather hazard that poses the greatest threat to aviation is lightning. If struck by lightning, an aircraft can be punctured through the skin of the aircraft which could damage many flight systems, communication and electronic navigation equipment. This outcome basically blinds the pilot by damaging navigation instruments or communications. Without these crucial instruments, the pilot may have a very difficult time getting to their destination potentially risking the lives of everyone on board. Also, nearby lightning can cause permanent damage to the magnetic compass (FAA, n.d). For lightning to be created,  warmer air needs to be mixed with colder air., resulting in an atmospheric disturbance. When the cold air containing ice mixes with the warm air ...
Post a Comment
Read more

Air Traffic Control

Image
     The very first Air Traffic Control station was created in late 1935. The Controllers used maps and blackboards to keep track of aircraft positions. There was also no radio communication, so the controllers used telephone communication to stay in touch with airline dispatcher, airway radio operators, and other Air traffic Controllers. Then by 1950, moving from the blackboards and paper sheets, the radar was introduced that allowed controllers to view scopes of aircraft positions (FAA, n.d).   Air Traffic Control (ATC) is an incredibly responsible and crucial organization when it comes to aviation. Air traffic controllers are trained specialist in guiding aircraft pilots threw the air and along the taxi ways to prevent aircraft collisions (Sofia Tokar Jul 18 et al.). The Air Traffic Control operation is not maintained solely by one individual, it can be split into different specialties. The two specialty areas that ...
Post a Comment
Read more

Air Pollution

Image
       Climate change has been a common topic in the media for some time now. Greenhouse gases such as Carbon dioxide, and many others, are released into the air when fossil fuels are used. This is significant to the aviation world because fossil fuels are used in mostly everything around airports and aircraft. Gasoline and Diesel are used for the basic airport vehicles and ground support vehicles, jet fuel for aircraft auxiliary power units, and other fossil fuels for electricity and heating (FAA, n.d). Since 1990, greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions have increased by 50 percent. In the United states alone, aviation contributes to just under 3 percent of the global GHG emissions total  (2022, March 29) . Because of these percentages the Environmental Protective Agency (EPA) and other government agencies are aware of this and focused on GHG emission reduction.           There are a few ways that airports can reduce or eliminate GHG emiss...
Post a Comment
Read more

Air Security Legislation

Image
     After September 11, 2001, airport security has grown and been more in depth to mitigate what happened on that terrible day. Before this day the threat of hijacking and using a plane as weapon did not appear as a possibility. The Federal Aviation Administration published 14 CFR Part 121.346, which was the Transponder Continuous Operation. All aircraft must be equipped with air traffic control (ATC) transponder, which under normal operations will provide a radar beacon code and altitude used for ATC to know a aircraft's location at all times  (The Federal Register, n.d). The flight crew also have access to being able to manual dial to an ATC transponder beacon in about 5 to 10 seconds. The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) has the ability to input a code for unlawful interference which is, "7500 or Hijack code" (Rulemaking, n.d).  This law is instrumental in shaping the safety in the aviation world. This helps aircrew have a bett...
Post a Comment
Read more

Human Factors in Aviation

Image
 Aviation is a dangerous career field to work and be a part of. There are dangers everywhere and the greatest result of these accidents is caused by human factors. Human factors are errors and discrepancies within aviation caused not by lack of policy or training but the employees and workers themselves involved with the aircraft. Human factors can come in different forms, whether it is cognitive, physical or lack of accountability.  One of the limitations that humans face is cognitive factors. That can be not having a healthy mental, spiritual, or emotion state. It is important to balance and monitor these conditions because without a healthy mind, an individual cannot contribute their full attention and focus on their job which can result in an accident within the workplace.  Another factor is physical limitations, this comes as someone's physical inability. This can be someone who cannot lift an item, doesn't have proper training, or physically cannot do a specific tas...
Post a Comment
Read more

Aviation Security

Image
 Insider Threats in Aviation Security Aviation security is getting more and more advanced with the technology of scanners and x-rays machines. People attempting to create cyber, criminal, or terrorism threats are having to get more creative. One of the biggest threats to aviation security is insider threats. An insider threat means that a person with the intent to seek malicious activity will try and commit harm to others or property within the airport or aircraft. These insiders are grouped in with all the members that work within the airport. Some examples might be but are not limited to are, TSA personnel, Air Traffic Controllers, restaurant workers, janitors, or the maintainers ( Aviation Insider Threat Team, 2017) .  Ways to Mitigate threats TSA has a 20 layer security strategy used to help mitigate security threats. Five of these 20 strategies could be potentially used to prevent insider threats. These 5 strategies are intelligence, crew vetting, behavior detection, empl...
Post a Comment
Read more

Landing Gear Failure

Image
     Landing gears come in many different shapes and sizes, depending on the aircraft but all serve the same principle purpose. An aircrafts landing gear is one of the most important component for the functionality of flight. Without a landing gear an aircraft cannot takeoff of land properly and safely. There are two main types of landing gears, retractable and fixed landing gears. A fixed landing gear will remain or stay extended during flight while a retractable landing gear is actuated by the pilot using a landing gear handle or switch sending an electrical current to activate the hydraulic pump that extends and retracts the landing gears ( 2016, September 9) .      There are some indicators of a faulty landing gear system. The most common indicator is in most aircraft cockpits there is a landing gear indicator light. From my several years working along with the A-10, there is a relatively small light panel that indicates the status of the main landing g...
Post a Comment
Read more