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.