Weather Hazards

 

Cold Fronts

    The worst weather hazard in my opinion is a cold front. Cold fronts occur when a mass of cold, dense, and stable air advances and replaces a body of warmer air (PHAK). Cold fronts also tend to move faster than warm fronts. Cold fronts also tend to stay closer to the ground sliding under the warmer air and pushing the less dense air up (PHAK).  When the is lifted temperatures decrease drastically and creates clouds. The formation of towering cumulus or cumulonimbus clouds will dominate the sky and in the northern hemisphere that can be a large section of land. Depending on the intensity of the cold front a pilot con expects any one or more of the following: heavy rain showers that may be accompanied by lightning, thunder, and/ or hail (PHAK). Severe cold fronts can produce tornadoes. With the lack of visibility and with wind variables and temperature drops pilots must make quick decisions. 

    Similar to warm fronts not all cold fronts are the same. A flight into an approaching cold front is not meant for the inexperienced. Pilots should have a better understanding of the conditions they can encounter in flight. If the flight is going to be hazardous due to the cold front the safest option is for the pilot to keep the airplane grounded. Once the cold front passes they will be able to continue with the flight. Trying to fly below a line of thunderstorms or a squall line is hazardous, and flight over the top of or around the storm is not an option (PHAK). 

While warm fronts and cold fronts both pose a significant weather hazard, cold fronts have violent weather activity. It is important to consider all the variables before any take-off. Some weather conditions are just not worth the hassle in terms of safety risk. If pilots find themselves in a cold front the best option may be to go further above the cold front or attempt to get below the cold front and land to avoid any hazards. Cold fronts are tricky situations. 

Reference

Pilot’s handbook of aeronautical knowledge (2016th ed.). (2016). Aviation Supplies & Academics.

Air Traffic Control

 Anchorage Oceanic and North Atlantic Operations

    Anchorage Oceanic (ATC) is the largest component of the U.S. National Airspace System. Like other air traffic controls, it runs twenty-four hours a day seven days a week. As part of the ARTCCs, it is responsible for the safe and efficient operation of aircraft flying at high altitudes within controlled airspace. Anchorage also falls under the FAA regulations and international regulations. Anchorage Oceanic operates two separate automation platforms, Advanced Technologies, and Oceanic Procedures, and Micro En Route Automated Radar Tracking System/ Flight Data Processor. Anchorage also assists in NORAD which plans and executes missions and training exercises in Alaska. On a lighter note, NORAD also tracks Santa Clause every Christmas for kids all around the world. 

      The North Atlantic Operations follows the International Civil Aviation Organization regulations as well as FAA regulations like Anchorage Oceanic. Dealing with flights traveling through the NAT High-Level Airspace and Reduced Vertical Separation Minimum Airspace. The ATC is able to separate aircraft by a minimum of 1,000 feet vertically. Both utilize the elements for oceanic clearance through the ATC, such as route, level, and speed. However, I could not find if the Anchorage ATC had specific data link requirements like that of the North Atlantic Operations. 

    Both the Anchorage and North Atlantic Operations have similar safety standards in place as they both follow guidelines provided by the FAA and ICAO. While the airspace is similar, Anchorage is vastly run by the military vs. the North Atlantic which connected the United States and Europe. Both have restricted areas of operations due to hazardous conditions, this does not prohibit flight, but poses more restrictions.  

Reference:

Anchorage Air Route Traffic Control Center Fact Sheet. Federal Aviation Administration. (2020, August 25). https://www.faa.gov/about/office_org/headquarters_offices/ato/service_units/air_traffic_services/artcc/anchorage/media/ZAN_Fact_Sheet.pdf.

North Atlantic Operations and Airspace Manual. International Civil Aviation Organization. (2021, July). https://www.icao.int/EURNAT/EUR%20and%20NAT%20Documents/NAT%20Documents/NAT%20Documents/NAT%20Doc%20007/NAT%20Doc%20007%20v2021-2%20changes%20explained.pdf.

Pilot’s handbook of aeronautical knowledge (2016th ed.). (2016). Aviation Supplies & Academics.

Environmental Impacts for Airport Management

Noise Pollution

    One of the biggest environmental impacts for airport management is noise pollution. Noise pollution is defined as harmful or annoying levels of noise. Noise pollution is not the only issue that airport management is dealing with there is also air pollution and water pollution to consider. I feel that the main impact of all three of these environmental impacts is Noise pollution. Noise pollution seems to have a large impact on the environment and those who live in it, and it is difficult to control. 

    Air pollution and water pollution release particles into the atmosphere. Noise remains the most difficult to manage of these issues. It is a rising concern among many communities especially those located near airports. Airports across the globe are now being confronted with the impact of noise and emissions on the quality of life that surrounds these residential areas. With the rising of airport expansions and growing traffic demands it is increasingly difficult for airport management to reduce their environmental impacts.

    The Scientist recently wrote an article on the harmful effects of noise pollution and how it is impacting our cardiovascular system. Noise can cause sleep disturbances, elicit anger, and trigger conditions such as tinnitus and coronary heart disease cause by reduced blood flow to the organ. Sleep disturbance leads to an increased risk of heart disease. In addition to this another study performed earlier this year established nighttime deaths, noise exposure levels two hours preceding death were significantly associated with heart-related mortality. 

    While noise pollution elimination is not well supported financially or politically there are ways that airports are trying to mitigate the issue. Many airports include zoning restrictions, sound insulation programs and  land property acquisition. Airports also operate with noise budgets, and have curfews to restrict certain noisy types of aircrafts. Airports also continue to monitor their noise levels. There are more strategies that airports are utilizing as well. Each has a positive impact on the environment and on people by reducing noise and even eliminating noise during specific hour like at night when it poses a larger threat. 

References 

Visser, H., & Wijnen, R. (2008). Management of the environmental impact at airport operations. ProQuest Ebook Central https://ebookcentral-proquest-com.ezproxy.libproxy.db.erau.edu

Münzel, T., & Hahad, O. (2021, June 1). How environmental noise harms the cardiovascular system. The Scientist Magazine®. https://www.the-scientist.com/features/how-environmental-noise-harms-the-cardiovascular-system-68786.

Aviation Legislation

 Passenger Safety

One of the most important Federal Aviation Regulations in my opinion is passenger safety. Under §135.117 Briefing of passengers before flight the FAR goes into detail about the proper steps for passenger safety instruction. This legislation has contributed to safer flights as passengers are prepared for dangerous situations. Not only are passengers given instructions on how to utilize safety equipment they are also provided with a pamphlet that goes over the remainder of the information. 

An example of this legislation in action is by looking at aviation accidents. US Airways flight 1549, also called Miracle on the Hudson, was a passenger airliner that made an emergency landing in the Hudson River in 2009 (Tikkanen, 2021). This flight had no fatalities, passengers utilized safety procedures to survive the accident. There was communication between the captain and the passengers that helped them brace for impact. 

Not only is passenger safety important nationally, but internationally these procedures are also followed with the ICAO. Safety is constantly shaping the aviation community as its the most important aspect of aviation. As emerging airline communities from other countries enter international flight the FAA will continue to enforce FARs as well as the ICAOs recommendations and standards of procedures. In turn this will greatly reduce fatalities from aviation accidents, or passenger incidents. 

§135.117 Briefing of passengers before flight. Electronic Code of Federal Regulations (eCFR). (2021, August 12). https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?SID=68632455368eeede86467ea3a62552b7&mc=true&node=pt14.3.135&rgn=div5#se14.3.135_1117.

Tikkanen, A. (2021, January 8). US Airways flight 1549. Encyclopedia Britannica.             https://www.britannica.com/topic/US-Airways-Flight-1549-incident

Human Factors in Aviation

What is Human Factor?

Human factors can be many different things. It can be a persons attitude such as anti-authority, impulsivity, invulnerability, macho, resignation. Human factors can also come in the form of more physical conditions such as having a head cold, feeling fatigued, optical illusions, middle ear issues and much more. These are just some issues that are considered human factors that can cause issues in flight later on. There are some simple fixes, but others are complicated to fix and may require being grounded until the person feels better (PHAK). 

Air Traffic Control 

When people hear human factors in aviation there are different areas of concern such as maintenance, or the pilot. However, all aspects of aviation deal with human factor. Air Traffic Control can have one of the most demanding work environments. Human factor needs to be the highest priority for safety. Employees can not just show up fatigued, or feel extreme amounts of stress. Optical illusions or vision problems can also effect how employees conduct their safety procedures. Not only are there physical challenges but also mentally there needs to be open communication and proper communication between the air traffic control team and the aircraft. They need to keep cool and calm under stressful situations and learn to mitigate these issues. 

Some ways to resolve these safety challenges is to understand ones limitations, to follow safety procedures. Air Traffic Control should continue to train and update procedures as needed for any technology advances. The team should be able to watch each other ensure that if their co-workers have a sudden change in attitude or health they have the ability to leave and be replaced. There needs to be open communication within the team. 

The Insider Threat

TSA Insider Threat 

     The TSA has been dealing with insider threats since the beginning of its establishment. However, it has recently began to grow within the organization.  Agents that are conducting nefarious acts by using their employment to commit crimes within the workplace. The insider threat can manifest as damaging against the TSA by utilizing the TSA as a means to do harm. Insider threats are seen in different forms one of the most extreme versions would be terrorism, or extremist activity that is directed to damage the TSA. As the organization grows the potential for infiltration also increases within the TSA. Other forms can include corruption, unauthorized access to security restricted areas and information as well as unauthorized disclosure of information. As technology continues to change so does the threat to any weaknesses within the system. While there are several different kinds of insider threat I feel that these are the ones that directly effect aviation security. While the terrorist activity has slowly been on the decline there are still incidents. In 2019 there was an incident of a pilot in training having a direct link to a terrorist group. 

    To combat these different forms of insider threat the TSA has devised a roadmap consisting of layers to combat any threats. Three main priorities are to promote meaningful data that will detect threats, advance operational capability to stop threats, and mature the capability of the TSS to mitigate threats. By promoting meaningful data the TSA can use the threat information to help develop and maintain technical capabilities to identify any risks. The advance operations that will stop threats utilize information to improve and enhance the insider threat detection. To mitigate threats the TSA will expose the weak insider threat and partner with stakeholders to create specific mitigation strategies. The TSA will be able to sustain a better security culture and mindset within its workers and reduce insider threats by forcing them to take responsibility for their actions (TSA insider threat roadmap: Transportation security administration 2020). 

    In conclusion, insider threat continues to present itself as an increasing issue. Some personal recommendations would be to increase security locations for employees. Hold TSA employees to the same standards as passengers. While people can pass background checks they can become lax in their abilities to follow rules. They can easily take advantage of an organization that places too much trust on their employees. While the TSA is doing a wonderful job at combating insider threat, there will always be motive to commit nefarious acts. Covering as much ground as possible is the best way to protect aviation security. 

Transportation Security Administration . (2020, May 14). TSA insider threat roadmap: Transportation security administration. TSA Insider Threat Roadmap | Transportation Security Administration. https://www.tsa.gov/videos/tsa-insider-threat-roadmap.

MCAS Boeing 737

On October 29, 2018 a Boeing 737 MAX crashed shortly after take off. The investigation led to some corrective actions that could be taken to prevent another accident. However, on March 10, 2019 another Boeing 737 MAX crashed shortly after take off. Both aircrafts suffered the same issues regarding the MCAS. Thus, leading to the immediate grounding of the Boeing 737 MAX. 

The MCAS was activated due to the Angle of Attack sensor this in turn caused the aircraft to push the nose downward to correct the action. To correct the issue the flight control computer was updated to eliminate MCAS reliance on the AOA sensor and made to use both sensors instead of one. Boeing changed their flight law to ensure that MCAS would only make one correction after one AOA sensor activation alert until AOA was lowered. One of the other corrections taken to address the issue was adding horizontal stabilizers that would respond to changes in trimmed airspeed while in manual flight. This in turn would push the nose of the airplane down. 

The impact of the MCAS failure led to the death of all flight crew and passengers on both aircrafts. This mass loss of life, and the grounding of all Boeing 737 MAX cost billions of dollars in lost revenue and damages. The only positive outcome was the grounding of the aircrafts to address the issues with the MCAS preventing any further accidents. I applaud their efforts placed in correcting the issue with the MCAS. However, if the situation had been handled during the initial accident then the second accident might not have.