Social Evaluation of Aircraft

Purpose – This project investigates social impacts of aircraft with a life-cycle approach using the example of the Airbus A380 program. --- Methodology – Social impacts are analyzed by conducting a Social Life Cycle Assessment (S-LCA) based on the "Guidelines for Social Life Cycle Assessment for Products" from the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and the Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry (SETAC). Stakeholder and subcategories are chosen, and data is collected by conducting qualitative interviews and web searches. An impact assessment is performed using the Subcategory Assessment Method (SAM). The results are interpreted and generalized. --- Findings – During its life span, an aircraft or aircraft program has an impact on different stakeholders. The life cycle stage "raw material extraction" could lead to human rights violations, but also local communities near main manufacturing sites face social implications, both positive and negative. The economic importance of the aeronautic sector influences society, political decision makers, local communities, and workers. All this was evident also in the A380 program. --- Research Limitations – Data availability limited the investigation partially. The project does not cover all life cycle stages and stakeholder groups. Instead, emphasis is given to selected stages and groups. --- Practical Implications – The study can help aviation decision makers to provide a product, which improves the well-being of its stakeholders. --- Social Implications – Performing an S-LCA in aviation puts social implications of the aircraft program into focus and provides a foundation for a general discussion about its social sustainability. --- Originality – This seems to be the first research on the topic of S-LCA of an aircraft or aircraft program

Social evaluation of aircraft

Purpose – This project investigates social impacts of aircraft with a life-cycle approach using the example of the Airbus A380 program. --- Methodology – Social impacts of an aircraft program are analyzed by conducting a Social Life Cycle Assessment (S-LCA) based on the S-LCA Framework. Stakeholders and subcategories are chosen, and data is collected by conducting qualitative interviews and web searches. An impact assessment is performed using the Subcategory Assessment Method (SAM). The results are interpreted and generalized. --- Findings – During its life span, an aircraft program has an impact on different stakeholders. The life cycle stage "raw material extraction" could lead to human rights violations, but also local communities near main manufacturing sites face social implications, both positive and negative. The economic importance of the aeronautic sector influences society, political decision makers, local communities, and workers. All this was evident also in the A380 program. --- Research Limitations – Data availability may limit the investigation. The project may not cover all typical life cycle stages and stakeholder groups. Emphasis may be given in the evaluation to selected program stages and stakeholder groups. --- Practical Implications – The results of an S-LCA can help aviation decision makers to shape the aircraft project in a way to improves the well-being of its stakeholders. --- Social Implications – Performing an S-LCA in aviation puts social implications of an aircraft program into focus and provides a foundation for a general discussion about its social sustainability. The S-LCA can draw attention to social hotspots. --- Originality – According to the literature review, this seems to be the first research on the topic of S-LCA of an aircraft or aircraft program.NonPeerReviewe

EVALUATION OF THE SOCIAL OPPORTUNITY COST OF LABOUR IN THE AIRCRAFT INDUSTRY

In recent years the aircraft industry in Canada has experienced a decline in output. As a consequence there have been major lay-offs of employees who have had to find employment in other activities. All workers have not had the same difficulties in finding alternative employment when released from the aircraft industry. Factors such as age of the worker, his skill, his seniority in the aircraft industry and the general employment conditions in the economy at the time he was laid off will all influence the length of time he requires to find alternative employment. The objective of this paper is to carryout an empirical estimation of the social opportunity cost of labour for this sector that takes into consideration each of these factors.opportunity cost, labor, aircraft industry, Canada

An Evaluation of the Social Perceptions and Biological Efficacy of Unmanned Aircraft Systems for Avian-Agriculture Conflict

North Dakota sunflower producers face a dilemma when it comes to blackbirds (Icteridae). Migrating flocks produce localized damage to production, which results in some farmers with no bird issues, while others face total economic losses. A dynamic and humane crop protection tool is necessary to reduce blackbird damage in this broad-scale agriculture setting, as damage is actively occurring, while considering the protected status of blackbirds. This study examined a novel tool, unmanned aircraft systems (hereafter, UAS), through the lens of a social evaluation of farmers? opinions and the biological impact on blackbird flock behavior. Farmers were very willing to allow a variety of UAS operations on their property, but willingness was dependent on age, farming generation, prior blackbird damage and preventative efforts. Time of day and flock size were important factors for perception of risk toward UAS by blackbird flocks, and 52% of the flocks abandoned due to UAS hazing