Analysis of fixed-wing stall-type accidents in the United States

Spin training has not been required for students working towards their private or commercial certificates for the past 70 years. Switching to a stall-prevention mindset within training aimed to make spin recovery unnecessary; however, stall-type accidents, consisting of stalls, spins, and spirals, still occur and are highly fatal. Although past studies have analyzed accidents, interviewed pilots at different levels, and made recommendations for changes in the industry, stall-type accidents are no less fatal now, at a fatality ratio of approximately 40-50% yearly. The research discussed in this paper aims to summarize and present accident stall-type statistics in aggregate over the past five decades and motivate future pilot- and training-centered research to address the high presence of stall-type accidents in aviation. Specifically, this article uses NTSB accident reports to answer the research question of whether there have been changes in the prevalence of spins among both fatal and non-datal fixed-wing accidents in the United States over the past sixty years. The methodology breaks down the accident analysis in three groups, based on the time period in which they occurred, due to differences in the reporting methods used. This paper finds that the prevalence and fatality ratio of stall-type accidents has remained high over the past six decades and that stall-type accidents are more than twice as fatal as an average accident. To remedy the high accident count, we recommend experimental ground and simulator-based training to improve pilot knowledge, skill, and performance.Peer reviewedMechanical and Aerospace Engineerin

A Study on Workload Assessment and Usability of Wind-Aware User Interface for Small Unmanned Aircraft System Remote Operations

This study evaluates pilots' cognitive workload and situational awareness during remote small unmanned aircraft system operations in different wind conditions. To complement the urban air mobility concept that envisions safe, sustainable, and accessible air transportation, we conduct multiple experiments in a realistic wind-aware simulator-user interface pipeline. Experiments are performed with basic and wind-aware displays in several wind conditions to assess how complex wind fields impact pilots' cognitive resources. Post-hoc analysis reveals that providing pilots with real-time wind information improves situational awareness while decreasing cognitive workload

Triple probability density distribution model in the task of aviation risk assessment

The probability of an airplane deviation from pre-planned trajectory is a core of aviation safety analysis. We propose to use a mixture of three probability density distribution functions it the task of aviation risk assessment. Proposed model takes into account the effect of navigation system error, flight technical error, and occurrence of rare events. Univariate Generalized Error Distribution is used as a basic component of distribution functions, that configures the error distribution model from the normal error distribution to double exponential distribution function. Statistical fitting of training sample by proposed Triple Univariate Generalized Error Distribution (TUGED) is supported by Maximum Likelihood Method. Optimal set of parameters is estimated by sequential approximation method with defined level of accuracy. The developed density model has been used in risk assessment of airplane lateral deviation from runway centreline during take-off and landing phases of flight. The efficiency of the developed model is approved by Chi-square, Akaike’s, and Bayes information criteria. The results of TUGED fitting indicate better performance in comparison with double probability density distribution model. The risk of airplane veering off the runway is considered as the probability of a rare event occurrence and is estimated as an area under the TUGED

Universal Design for Learning (UDL): A Contemporary Approach to Professional Flight Instruction

In the United States, an increasing number of aspiring commercial airline pilots are teaching as Certificated Flight Instructors, presumably to reach the minimum required flight hours and move into airline flight operations. High-quality training is the foundation of a high-quality globalized aviation workforce, yet there has been a persistent lack of systemic in-depth guidance surrounding how instructors are taught how to teach aviation subject matter, justifying the need for incorporating the use of evidence-based and promising practices from education fields into flight instruction. In this conceptual article, we outline the integral components and the research basis of the universal design for learning (UDL) framework. We then provide three adapted UDL tools and recommendations for utilizing UDL during ground and flight instruction. The broader impact of teaching flight instructors how to use the UDL framework includes the potential to improve retention rates, reduce flight training hours, and lead to strong knowledge and skills for both instructors and students

Communicating Data-Driven Risk Information to Pilots

General Aviation safety is a pressing concern. In this research, we consider the factor that appears most often in accidents: the pilot. Newly-licensed pilots can fly without their instructor, potentially as the only or most experienced pilot in the aircraft. Commercial debrief products use technology in the flight deck to collect data and provide post-flight visualizations for performance reviews, but do not discuss flight safety. To manage risk, though, pilots need to perceive the risk associated with a situation before deciding whether they are willing to accept it. Safety-driven post-flight feedback may help address performance. However, it is not clear whether and how the way we present feedback affects how pilots perceive risk, or what the best way is. We designed and disseminated a survey to evaluate the communication factors that affect pilots’ risk perception. In this paper, we evaluate whether different representation methods affect relative risk perception among pilots

Systematic Review of Weather Observation and Forecast Resources Available to General Aviation Pilots

Weather continues to be a consistent hazard for pilots despite decades of progress in both pilot education and weather observation and forecasting technology. Much research has been done on the various facets of this problem, from pilot psychology to the weather information sources themselves. Weather-Intelligent Navigation Data and Models for Aviation Planning (WINDMAP) is a NASA University Leadership Initiative (ULI) that aims to use Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) to improve the accessibility and accuracy of weather information for General Aviation (GA) pilots and UAS operators. This paper aims to produce a systematic review of research on the topic using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta Analyses (PRISMA) method that will then guide a further survey-based study of source utilization by GA pilots and UAS operators. Through the survey, we aim to evaluate satisfaction and need for improvements among weather products and education

Data-Driven Safety Feedback as Part of Debrief for General Aviation Pilots

General Aviation (GA) is the foundation of most flying activities and the training ground for civilian pilots, both recreational and professional. However, the safety record for GA is lacking compared to that of commercial aviation. Approximately 75% of accidents each year involve personnel factors, that is, even if the pilot was not the cause of the accident, they could have done something to either prevent it or improve the outcome. In this research, I aim to improve GA safety through safety-driven post-flight debrief that encourages pilots to consider the risk in their flights and identify behavioral changes that could make their flying safer. Providing pilots with a debrief tool that they can use with or without a flight instructor requires that we know both what to communicate, and how to communicate it. Risk communication heuristics and biases have not been researched in the context of aviation and flight training and we therefore do not know how pilots understand or respond to debrief. To achieve the goals of this work, I used a three-step process: (1) identify events that may put the safe outcome of a flight at risk, (2) detect those events in flight data, and (3) inform the pilot in a way that helps them improve in their future flights. I use a state-based representation of historical aviation accidents to define a list of events or behaviors that need to be communicated to the pilots, in the form of states and triggers. I use flight data to retrospectively detect these behaviors upon completion of the flight, by mapping parameters or combinations of parameters that can be calculated and tracked in the flight data to the hazardous states and triggers defined. To present these events to pilots, I created a prototype interactive debrief tool with risk information that I use in a survey to evaluate the effectiveness of feedback in different representation formats. Specifically, I evaluate the impact of three factors: representation method (graphical and numerical), parameter type (safety and performance parameters), and framing language (riskcentric and safety-centric). I disseminated the survey via aviation mailing lists, type groups, flying clubs, and flight training providers, end received 268 responses. The survey analysis showed that the feedback representation does affect its effectiveness in terms of risk perception, but not when it comes to pilots’ motivation to change. The lessons learnt from this survey can be used in creating additional surveys that delve further into risk communication biases and our understanding of how pilots perceive risk and feedback

Surveying Collegiate Student Pilots for Their Perspectives on Their Collegiate Flight Training Experience

Women make up roughly half of the population, but continue to be an underrepresented group in aviation. They constitute nearly 14% of student pilots, but only 8% of Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) pilot certificates, leading to a lack of understanding why a substantial number of women do not complete their training. Past diversity initiatives have not resulted in a sufficient increase in the numbers. This paper discusses a study in progress that is intended to gain perceptions of women’s experiences and obstacles in collegiate flight programs using a longitudinal survey of collegiate pilots. The aim of the study is to generate guidelines on how flight programs can impact change to welcome and retain their female students. We provide a preview of the survey structure based on a thematic analysis of the literature, present metrics we will track throughout the study from the themes uncovered, and discuss survey dissemination plans

Defining Needs for Enhanced Weather Products for Uas and Ga Stakeeholders: A Qualitative Study

Weather is a major influencing factor in determining if a pilot can safely fly on any given day. Unfavorable weather conditions can cause accidents and lead to potential injuries or death. In this paper, we use focus groups to gather perspectives of General Aviation (GA) pilots and Uncrewed Aerial Systems (UAS) operators on weather communication products and their influence on weather-related decision-making. GA pilots have used products to make informed decisions for a while, but UAS operators are relatively new to their adoption and may have different methods of usage. Understanding how both groups perceive weather communication and prediction will help us improve future weather products. Novel weather communication products with enhanced features may increase the comfort and confidence levels of all airspace stakeholders by helping them make more informed decisions. We use a qualitative approach to solicit specific needs and provide potential improvements to weather products

A method for automatic airport operation counts using crowd-sourced ADS-B data

Airports are tasked with counting and reporting their operations at least yearly. The counts are used at the local and national level to schedule maintenance, for research, and to receive funds, making their accuracy important. Historically, methods for counting operations at non-towered airports have relied on additional equipment at the airport or statistical estimates. In this work, we introduce a method to use crowd-sourced Automatic Dependent Surveillance – Broadcast (ADS-B) data from the OpenSky network to automatically count airport operations and report it separated by takeoffs and landings. We use two airports as case studies – Tulsa International Airport (TUL) and Purdue University Airport (LAF) – and compare the estimated operation counts from the ADS-B data algorithm to numbers reported through the Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) Air Traffic Activity Data System (ATADS)