Improvement of Terminal Area Capacity in the New York Airspace

The New York airspace is the most congested in the U.S. air transportation network. Increasing capacity in this area is critical to ensure the balanced growth of traffic across the U.S. This study compares the total measured runway capacity at the New York airports with the achieved throughput of the New York airspace. The comparison is performed for six airspace configurations representing operations under different wind conditions, visibility and relative arrival and departure demand. The comparison shows that in all cases the capacity of the system of airports is lower than the total capacity of the airports considered individually by approximately 20%. This finding suggests that air traffic throughput in the New York area is constrained by shared airspace resources. If these constraints could be removed, these funding suggest that capacity could be increased approximately 20% without any airport infrastructure or procedure changes. An examination of procedures close to the airports is performed to identify fixed constraints. The impact of these constraints is not captured by the empirical analysis because these constraints are always present. This analysis identifies cases where new navigation technologies could be used to reduce the interactions between airports. The greatest potential for improvement is found to be in the lower performing configurations. Therefore procedural changes close to the airports may provide more benefit in reducing the variability of capacity between different configurations, rather than providing large increases in maximum capacity.This research was supported by both NASA and the FAA through agreement number NNA06CN24A and contract DTFA01-C-00030

Emergence of Regional Jets and The Implications on Air Traffic Management

Airlines are increasingly using regional jets to better match aircraft size to high value, but limited demand markets. This has been especially important following increased financial pressure on the industry after September 11th 2001. The increase in regional jets represents a significant change from traditional air traffic patterns. To investigate the possible impacts of this change, this study analyzed the emerging flight patterns and performance of regional jets compared to traditional jets and turboprops. In addition, a comparison between regional jet flight patterns in the United States and Europe was conducted. Regional jet operations generally cluster in the regions with high traditional jet operation density, implying a high level of interaction between the two aircraft types. The regional jets were observed to fly shorter routes than traditional jets, with few transcontinental flights. However, the gap between regional and narrow body traditional jet stage lengths appears to be closing. In addition, regional jets were observed to exhibit lower climb rates than traditional jets, which may impact air traffic control handling and sector design. It was also observed that regional jets cruise at lower altitudes than traditional jets possibly due to their shorter flight routes. Finally, it was observed that regional jets cruise at a lower Mach number than traditional jets, except on specific high density routes where the regional jets are either slowing down the traditional jet traffic or flying above their optimum cruise speed. Since the composition and utilization of the national fleet is changing, this will pose potential problems for air traffic management. In particular, it may cause serious congestion issues when demand increases during an economic recovery

Formality and informality in the summative assessment of motor vehicle apprentices: a case study

This article explores the interaction of formal and informal attributes of competence‐based assessment. Specifically, it presents evidence from a small qualitative case study of summative assessment practices for competence‐based qualifications within apprenticeships in the motor industry in England. The data are analysed through applying an adaptation of a framework for exploring the interplay of formality and informality in learning. This analysis reveals informal mentoring as a significant element which influences not only the process of assessment, but also its outcomes. We offer different possible interpretations of the data and their analysis, and conclude that, whichever interpretation is adopted, there appears to be a need for greater capacity‐building for assessors at a local level. This could acknowledge a more holistic role for assessors; recognise the importance of assessors’ informal practices in the formal retention and achievement of apprentices; and enhance awareness of inequalities that may be reinforced by both informal and formal attributes of assessment practices

Consolidating the Profession? The Professoriate in the 1950s and 1960s

This paper explores the development and growth of an adult education professoriate and adult education programs in higher education from 1945 until 1964. It examines specifically the factors that caused the growth of programs; decisions about curriculum; and the principal sources of funding. Additionally it explores the varying discussions and debates about the nature of the field

Narrowing Interests: North American Adult Educators’ Discussions on Internationalization in the 1960’s

In examining the history of the field of Adult Education, interesting questions about the development of the knowledge base emerges. This research examines the countervailing strands and how the resulting focus narrowed the field to North America interests in the 1960’s

A Field in Search of Theory and Respect: AE in the Mid-20th Century

The purpose of this paper is to analyze the development of an adult education professoriate and adult education programs in higher education in the 1950s and 1960s, as well as to examine the development of AERC as a means to advance and enhance theoretical knowledge related to the field

Where Do We Go from Here? The Ebbs and Flows of Professional Adult Education

This paper examines the movement of adult education into the university as an area of study. It also looks at the development of the professoriate and the continual formation and dissolution of programs

Developing Knowledge and Theory in the Field of Adult Education: Research Conferences in the 1960’s

This historical study examines the role of research and the development of adult education research conferences, including the eventual founding and establishment of the Adult Education Research Conference (AERC)

Serving the World or Building a Profession: The Confounding Dilemmas of Mid-Twentieth Century Academic Adult Education

This paper discusses the development and growth of an adult education professoriate and especially the growth and expansion of the CPAE in the 1950s and 1960s