StudentShare
Contact Us
Sign In / Sign Up for FREE
Search
Go to advanced search...
Free

Aviation Human Factors - Case Study Example

Cite this document
Summary
Over the years, the phenomenon of these occurrences has led scientists to research on systems of collision avoidance from as early…
Download full paper File format: .doc, available for editing
GRAB THE BEST PAPER94.8% of users find it useful
Aviation Human Factors
Read Text Preview

Extract of sample "Aviation Human Factors"

Traffic Collision Avoidance System Traffic Collision Avoidance System I. Summary Mid-air collisions are a normal occurrence in the aviation industry pitting aircrafts against each other and often leading to catastrophic events. Over the years, the phenomenon of these occurrences has led scientists to research on systems of collision avoidance from as early as 1950 (Wickens, 1998). The system for avoiding aircraft collisions was innovated to lower the probability of mid-air collisions among aircrafts.

It functions by tracking the airspace encircling one aircraft for other aircrafts that are free of air traffic control to avoid it (Dumitrache, 2013) and cautions pilots of other aircrafts that may pose a substantial danger of mid-air collision. It is designed to be fixed on all aircrafts with a maximum take-off weight of over 5,700 kg or those authorized to carry above nineteen passengers. The implementation of Traffic Collision Avoidance System added a safety barrier in preventing mid-air collisions (Dumitrache, 2013).

The innovation was made after the Grand Canyon mid-air collision that occurred in 1956 and led spurred aviation authorities into action. In the accident, a United Airlines Douglas DC-7 hit a Trans World Airlines Lockheed L-1049 Super Constellation and killing all the 128 passengers on board both flights.II. Problem The innovation still required further study, training, refinements and regulatory measures because of the limitations of the Traffic Collision Avoidance System. Furthermore, misuse of the same innovation resulted in other fatal incidents and accidents.III. Significance of the Problem Inadequate training and poor coordination among pilots has led to low effectiveness of the Traffic Collision Avoidance System.

For instance, the Uberlingen mid-air collision has been blamed on The Tupelov pilot’s failure to follow their TCAS RA and the Boeing pilot’s failure to follow the ATC instruction (Wickens, 1998). The problem presents an important gap that can only be bridged by more training and more refinements coupled with improved research.IV. Development of Alternative ActionsAlternative Action 1. Using the Air Traffic Control can help improve the effectiveness of the Traffic Collision Avoidance SystemAdvantages.

Using Air Traffic Control is particularly resourceful in aiding the decision of the pilot and the direction of the aircraft’s maneuver. According to Wickens (1998) it allows the pilot to make the most logical decision using the two guidelines.Disadvantages. Pilots are expected to respond to the RA immediately unless that action would jeopardize the safety of the flight. This rule means that pilots can maneuver against ATC instructions or disregard the instructions altogether (Dumitrache, 2013).

Furthermore, the ATC instructions could be contradictory to the resolution Advisory (RA) leading to accidents that it was meant to prevent.Alternative Action 2. Implementing RA downlink to help in better decision making. Advantages. The RA downlink provides information about Resolution Advisories posted in the cockpit. The RA downlink helps to remove the confusion occasioned by the presence of many sources of control and command to an aircraft by establishing one single command center. Disadvantages.

Currently, the ICAO has no clear guidelines on the use and operation of the RA downlink although some countries still use it. This poses the danger of having no regulation and is therefore prone to abuse and misuse by pilots and especially the not so competent ones.V. Recommendation The Traffic Collision Avoidance System provides a better alternative in curbing mid-air collisions between aircrafts. It is clearly the best option that the world has at the moment. However, its shortcomings are a concern that must be addressed if the system has to be effective.

Important is the fact that these shortcomings can be averted by training and doing more research to improve the system. More alternatives should be looked into to ensure the success of the Traffic Collision avoidance System is guaranteed (Dumitrache, 2013). Nevertheless, the system is still a great innovation because of its ability to reduce the chances of mid-air collisions.ReferencesWickens, C. (1998). The future of air traffic control human operators and automation. Washington, D.C.: National Academy Press.

Dumitrache, I. (2013). Advances in intelligent control systems and computer science. Berlin: Springer.

Read More
Cite this document
  • APA
  • MLA
  • CHICAGO
(“Aviation Human Factors Case Study Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words - 1”, n.d.)
Retrieved de https://studentshare.org/miscellaneous/1696178-aviation-human-factors
(Aviation Human Factors Case Study Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 Words - 1)
https://studentshare.org/miscellaneous/1696178-aviation-human-factors.
“Aviation Human Factors Case Study Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 Words - 1”, n.d. https://studentshare.org/miscellaneous/1696178-aviation-human-factors.
  • Cited: 0 times

CHECK THESE SAMPLES OF Aviation Human Factors

Commercial Aviation Safety: Runway Incursions

It will then look at some of the categories… It will then look at some of the causes cited for runway incursions and the contributing factors to runway incursions.... ?? (Bellonte, 2004) The commonly accepted definition of a runway incursion is proposed by the International civil aviation organization (ICAO) under (PAN-ATM) as “any occurrence at an aerodrome involving the incorrect presence of an aircraft, vehicle or person on the protected area of a surface designated for the landing and takeoff of aircraft....
7 Pages (1750 words) Term Paper

Aviation Inspection and Maintenance System

(1999) indicate that human factors such as the individual differences of aviation inspectors have a very great influence on the process of inspection and maintenance of aviation facilities and equipment.... Several factors resulted in the occurrence of this accident.... One of the key factors is the failure of an air traffic control system to facilitate the dissemination of key, available wind information to the air traffic controllers and the pilots due to poor maintenance....
9 Pages (2250 words) Case Study

Main Aspects of Aviation Psychology

This coursework describes the main aspects of aviation psychology.... nbsp;… It is a fact that the aviation industry is currently concerned with how to create value better services and performance for their customers and this has created a situation where costs have been of great concern....
8 Pages (2000 words) Coursework

Aviation safety and human factors

This research is aimed at providing a report on issues like aviation safety and human factors.... human factors refer to the application of knowledge to real-life situations to reduce errors and lend protection against possible disasters thereby making the entire system more resilient.... hellip; According to the research, on the occurrence of aviation accidents, system failure is said to be a major cause however, most accidents are a result of both human factors and system problems....
1 Pages (250 words) Essay

Beyond Aviation Human Factors

The following paper under the title 'Beyond Aviation Human Factors' focuses on Europe Aviation Safety Conference which had great success in terms of its impact in bringing up issues that affect the safety of airmen, passengers, and ground control crews.... The major organizers of this year's Europe aviation Safety Conference were Joint aviation Authorities, Federal aviation Administration and Europe aviation Safety Agency....
2 Pages (500 words) Essay

The Human Factors in Aviation Safety

In human factors Analysis of Naval Aviation Maintenance Related Mishaps, the authors focus on how human factors influence the performance of aviation staff.... By using Naval Safety Center's human factors Analysis and Classification System (HFACS) and Naval Aviation maintenance… This can help in eliminating any errors that might be experienced in the handling of maintenance, supervision, human and air crew errors human factors in Aviation Safety human factors in Aviation Safety In human factors Analysis of Naval Aviation Maintenance Related Mishaps, the authors focus on how human factors influence the performance of aviation staff....
1 Pages (250 words) Article

The Effects of Radar Separation on Air Traffic Control

In this paper, the narrator discusses various effects of radar separation on air traffic control.... Radar separation can be taken to mean the aircrafts separation derived from the use of the radar system (ICAO, 1996).... According to Nolan, radar is one of the tools used by air traffic controllers....
8 Pages (2000 words) Research Paper
sponsored ads
We use cookies to create the best experience for you. Keep on browsing if you are OK with that, or find out how to manage cookies.
Contact Us