Chosen Aspects of Pilots Situational Awareness

This paper tries to find the answers to the following questions: What does Situational Airworthiness (SA) truly mean from the viewpoint of the pilot ability to keep acceptable safety level on each phase of the aircraft mission execution? Which element of the aviation model has the highest influence on that pilot ability? Which sub-factors have the highest influence on the probability of achieving and maintaining an acceptable level of sub-areas of SA by the pilot during the preparation and execution of air missions? Moreover, the paper discusses sub-subjects as the definition of SA, relations between processes and the status of SA. The conclusions of the paper are partially based on the Authors’ research of the years 2012-2013

THE USE OF A MAGNETIC FIELD IN THE ASSESSMENT OF THE OPERATING LOADS OF PNEUMATIC TIRES

Steel is a typical construction material with ferromagnetic properties. This material is often used as a structural component of composites whose task is to transfer mechanical loads. This function is performed by the steel wires placed inside the tires. The aim of the preliminary tests was to determine the influence of air pressure changes in the pneumatic wheel on the distribution of the magnetic field observed outside the tire. The research used a magnetostrictive sensor that reacts to changes in magnetic induction. A sensor with three perpendicular measurement directions was used, and the components of the magnetic induction vector were measured at selected measurement points located in the space surrounding the tested tire. During the tests, measurements were made of the tire’s magnetic field under various load conditions. The results confirmed the occurrence of measurable effects of changes in the magnetic field distribution of the tire depending on the pressure inside

Safety Attitude as a Predictor of the Sense of Threat in the Workplace, Using the Example of Airport Ground Staff

In its development, air transport is obliged to take into account guidelines related to its sustainability. An important element thereof consists of making sure that the working conditions for all the workers employed in this sector are safe and healthy. The aim of this research was to analyze the relationship between the attitude towards safety and the perceived feeling of threat in the workplace among respondents belonging to the airport ground staff occupational group. The research verified the following: 1. whether a relationship exists between the safety attitude (in the following dimensions: affective, cognitive, and behavioral) and the feeling of threat in the workplace (in the following dimensions: internal discomfort related to the fear of potential threats, the fear of current threats, and seeking to avoid threats); 2. whether attitudes towards safety act as predictors of the feeling of threat in the workplace. A total of 299 individuals took part in the research. Purposive sampling was used, based on criteria related to the respondents being members of airport ground staff. The Safety Attitudes Questionnaire by M. Znajmiecka-Sikora was used in the research. The feeling of threat was assessed using Feeling of Threat at Work Questionnaire by Mamcarz. The results obtained confirmed the assumed negative correlation between the main variables, and at the same time they revealed that among the studied safety attitude components, only the affective component makes it possible to predict the general feeling of threat, being its negative predictor (B = -0.14; s.e. = 0.33; t = -2.27; p = 0.024). The affective component of the safety attitude also constituted a negative predictor of one of the dimensions of the studied feeling of threat, namely seeking to avoid threats (B = -0.22; s.e. = 0.17; t = -3.66; p < 0.001)

Seasonality in air traffic and incidence of dangerous occurrences in the Polish air transport market in 2010-2017

PURPOSE: The aim of the research was to identify the relation between flight operations conducted in the summer and winter seasons, and dangerous occurrences which took place then.DESIGN/METHODOLOGY/APPROACH: The research involved the indicator method used in time series analysis. The interdependence between the quantitative variables was determined with the use of the Pearson line correlation coefficient. Statistical data for the analyses was obtained from the European Coordination Centre for Accident and Incident Reporting Systems (ECCAIRS) and the Polish Civil Aviation Authority.RESULTS: Relations were identified between the variables of the number of passengers carried, the number of flight operations conducted, adverse aviation occurrences in 2010-2017, and the winter and summer seasons of the year. The results indicate that these variables are interrelated.PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS: The approach employed in analysing the relation between the variables concerned can be applied to processes of pro-active civil aviation safety management.ORIGINALITY/VALUE: The approach to analysing the variables shown in the paper has not been widely presented in the literature to date.peer-reviewe

Opposite associations of plasma homoarginine and ornithine with arginine in healthy children and adolescents

Homoarginine, a non-proteinogenic amino acid, is formed when lysine replaces ornithine in reactions catalyzed by hepatic urea cycle enzymes or lysine substitutes for glycine as a substrate of renal arginine:glycine amidinotransferase. Decreased circulating homoarginine and elevated ornithine, a downstream product of arginase, predict adverse cardiovascular outcome. Our aim was to investigate correlates of plasma homoarginine and ornithine and their relations with carotid vascular structure in 40 healthy children and adolescents aged 3–18 years without coexistent diseases or subclinical carotid atherosclerosis. Homoarginine, ornithine, arginine, asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA) and symmetric dimethylarginine (SDMA) were measured by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry with stable isotope-labeled internal standards. Intima-media thickness (IMT) and extra-medial thickness (EMT) of common carotid arteries were estimated by B-mode ultrasound. Homoarginine correlated with arginine (r = 0.43, p = 0.005), age (r = 0.42, p = 0.007) and, weakly, with an increased arginine-to-ornithine ratio, a putative measure of lower arginase activity (r = 0.31, p = 0.048). Ornithine correlated inversely with arginine (r = −0.64, p 0.12). Thus, opposite associations of plasma homoarginine and ornithine with arginine may partially result from possible involvement of arginase, an enzyme controlling homoarginine degradation and ornithine synthesis from arginine. Age-dependency of homoarginine levels can reflect developmental changes in homoarginine metabolism. However, neither homoarginine nor ornithine appears to be associated with carotid vascular structure in healthy children and adolescents

Associations between endogenous dimethylarginines and renal function in healthy children and adolescents

The structural isomer of asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA), symmetric dimethylarginine (SDMA), is eliminated almost entirely by urinary excretion and considered a sensitive index of glomerular filtration rate (GFR). However, reports on this relationship in healthy subjects younger than 18 years of age are rare. Therefore, our aim was to investigate relations between endogenous dimethylarginines and renal function indices in healthy children and adolescents. We studied 40 subjects aged 3&amp;#8211;18 years free of coexistent diseases or subclinical carotid atherosclerosis. A serum creatinine-derived estimated GFR (eGFR) was calculated by the revised bedside Schwartz equation. L-arginine, ADMA and SDMA were measured by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. Mean eGFR was 122 &amp;#177; 22 (SD) mL/min per 1.73 m2. Creatinine and eGFR exhibited closer correlations with the SDMA/ADMA ratio (r = 0.64, p &amp;lt; 0.0001; r = &amp;#8722;0.63, p &amp;lt; 0.0001, respectively) than with SDMA (r = 0.31, p = 0.05; r = &amp;#8722;0.35, p = 0.03). Neither creatinine nor eGFR correlated with ADMA or L-arginine. Adjustment for age or height only slightly attenuated the associations between the SDMA/ADMA ratio and eGFR or creatinine. Our findings suggest the superiority of the SDMA/ADMA ratio over SDMA as a renal function index in healthy children. Thus, further studies are warranted to verify our preliminary results in a larger group of subjects below 18 years of age

Safety of complex aircraft ergatic systems

In this paper, aircraft safety of complex critical systems in terms of the automation and safety has been investigated. We think, due to the automation, the role of operators has shifted from active control to passive monitoring. Performing this last task even might be more difficult because of the monotony and needs of realization of the active control in emergency situation. The management of complex ergatic systems is relevant at the present stage of the development of science and technology. It is a particular concern to evaluate the activity of an operator as the element of the ergatic system. New technologies presented by automation should complement and not displace human functions in aircraft control. The paper focuses on new technologies applied in aircraft systems to ensure higher safety and system reliability. The main problem of aircraft safety is addressed to aircraft critical systems as helicopter transmission system monitoring, aircraft system integration, and system redundancy. The research is based on experimental methods and case studies. The subject of the research is to evaluate the importance of complex ergatical systems, e.g., interaction between the subject and the object in its operational process. As the example of helicopter main gearbox diagnostics, as an object of complex engineering system, is stated hypothesis that there is possibility to determine changes in the characteristics of critical flight parameters and to determine the current level of flight hazard. The work is based on experimental and measurementbased testing, systematic and scientific procedure of data collection, analysis and interpretation. The practical implication can be utilized for safety benefits, risk mitigation and avoidance

LOGISTICAL PROCESSES IN MILITARY AVIATION ORGANIZATIONS

This article examines airbases as organizational units of the Polish Air Force from the perspective of executing logistical processes, with a particular emphasis on multirole aircraft maintenance processes. We selected air force bases that deal with multirole aircraft in order to become acquainted with the opinions of service processing executors. The observations of most immediate executors of the processes allow us to examine the possibilities for their enhancement and development. We presented the dependencies between different factors occurring in logistics processes, and their relationships and conditionings [3, 6, 7]. We described these factors using comparative parameters by means of the analysis and tools recommended in the science of management [2, 3, 8], while the collected material was developed using statistical tools and computer software [1]. The article is illustrated with numerous pictures and tables

LOGISTICAL PROCESSES IN MILITARY AVIATION ORGANIZATIONS

This article examines airbases as organizational units of the Polish Air Force from the perspective of executing logistical processes, with a particular emphasis on multirole aircraft maintenance processes. We selected air force bases that deal with multirole aircraft in order to become acquainted with the opinions of service processing executors. The observations of most immediate executors of the processes allow us to examine the possibilities for their enhancement and development. We presented the dependencies between different factors occurring in logistics processes, and their relationships and conditionings [3, 6, 7]. We described these factors using comparative parameters by means of the analysis and tools recommended in the science of management [2, 3, 8], while the collected material was developed using statistical tools and computer software [1]. The article is illustrated with numerous pictures and tables

CONCEPTS OF MANAGING AND INCREASING THE EFFICIENCY OF USING AIRSPACE IN RELATION TO INCREASING AIR TRAFFIC

Polish airspace is available on equal terms to all its users. Due to the increasing air traffic airspace structure and the system of airspace, management should constantly improve, taking into account the provisions of international and national conditions. The article looks at issues in the management of airspace in order to increase the efficiency of the use of Polish airspace while maintaining an appropriate level of air traffic safety during flight operations by military and civilian aircraft