A fixed-base simulation study of two STOL aircraft flying curved, descending instrument approach paths

A real-time, fixed-base simulation study has been conducted to determine the curved, descending approach paths (within passenger-comfort limits) that would be acceptable to pilots, the flight-director-system logic requirements for curved-flight-path guidance, and the paths which can be flown within proposed microwave landing system (MLS) coverage angles. Two STOL aircraft configurations were used in the study. Generally, no differences in the results between the two STOL configurations were found. The investigation showed that paths with a 1828.8 meter turn radius and a 1828.8 meter final-approach distance were acceptable without winds and with winds up to at least 15 knots for airspeeds from 75 to 100 knots. The altitude at roll-out from the final turn determined which final-approach distances were acceptable. Pilots preferred to have an initial straight leg of about 1 n. mi. after MLS guidance acquisition before turn intercept. The size of the azimuth coverage angle necessary to meet passenger and pilot criteria depends on the size of the turn angle: plus or minus 60 deg was adequate to cover all paths execpt ones with a 180 deg turn

Monte Carlo Neutrino Oscillations

We demonstrate that the effects of matter upon neutrino propagation may be recast as the scattering of the initial neutrino wavefunction. Exchanging the differential, Schrodinger equation for an integral equation for the scattering matrix S permits a Monte Carlo method for the computation of S that removes many of the numerical difficulties associated with direct integration techniques

How might your staff react to news of an institutional merger? - A psychological contract approach

Purpose: To understand the nature of staff/ employee (i.e. learning and teaching, curriculum support, and administrative staff) perceptions, anxieties and worries about early merger change in the UK further education (FE) sector. Design/methodology/approach: Survey data was collected from 128 out of 562 employees to examine perceptions of psychological contract (post-merger announcement) on an FE college in England. Paired t-tests were used to analyse quantitative data. Additionally, a content analysis of open-ended questions was incorporated as part of a combined methods survey evaluation approach for discussion and triangulation purposes. Findings: Quantitative results from t-tests showed there had been a decrease in the perception of fulfilled obligations in nine of the ten areas of the psychological contract. Qualitative results indicated that communications, job security and uncertainty were common negative outcomes post-merger announcement. Implications for education managers from the case study include: a need for improved organizational communication; developing trust and mentorship for greater employee support, as well as; promoting further employee training and new opportunities for teamwork. Research limitations/implications: Psychological contract theories for evaluating organizational change are useful given the recent interest in sharing public services and institutional mergers in the UK. This research demonstrates the benefits of using psychological contract, as well as how to apply such an evaluation for understanding staff concerns. Originality/value: The article demonstrates a usable (psychological contract) survey evaluation approach for studying the impact of early merger change on staff in the FE, or higher (HE) education sectors in the UK (or elsewhere)

The spectroscopic evolution of the recurrent nova T Pyxidis during its 2011 outburst I. The optically thick phase and the origin of moving lines in novae

The nova T Pyx was observed with high resolution spectroscopy (R ~ 65000) spectroscopy, beginning 1 day after discovery of the outburst and continuing through the last visibility of the star at the end of May 2011. The interstellar absorption lines of Na I, Ca II, CH, CH$^+$, and archival H I 21 cm emission line observations have been used to determine a kinematic distance. Interstellar diffuse absorption features have been used to determine the extinction independent of previous assumptions. Sample Fe-peak line profiles show the optical depth and radial velocity evolution of the discrete components. We propose a distance to T Pyx $\geq$4.5kpc, with a strict lower limit of 3.5 kpc (the previously accepted distance). We derive an extinction, E(B-V)$\approx0.5\pm$0.1, that is higher than previous estimates. The first observation, Apr. 15, displayed He I, He II, C III, and N III emission lines and a maximum velocity on P Cyg profiles of the Balmer and He I lines of $\approx$2500 km s$^{-1}$ characteristic of the fireball stage. These ions were undetectable in the second spectrum, Apr. 23, and we use the recombination time to estimate the mass of the ejecta, $10^{-5}f$M$_\odot$ for a filling factor $f$. Numerous absorption line systems were detected on the Balmer, Fe-peak, Ca II, and Na I lines, mirrored in broader emission line components, that showed an "accelerated" displacement in velocity. We also show that the time sequence of these absorptions, which are common to all lines and arise only in the ejecta, can be described by recombination front moving outward in the expanding gas without either a stellar wind or circumstellar collisions.Comment: Accepted for publication in Astronomy & Astrophysics Letters (17/8/11

A flight investigation with a STOL airplane flying curved, descending instrument approach paths

A flight investigation using a De Havilland Twin Otter airplane was conducted to determine the configurations of curved, 6 deg descending approach paths which would provide minimum airspace usage within the requirements for acceptable commercial STOL airplane operations. Path configurations with turns of 90 deg, 135 deg, and 180 deg were studied; the approach airspeed was 75 knots. The length of the segment prior to turn, the turn radius, and the length of the final approach segment were varied. The relationship of the acceptable path configurations to the proposed microwave landing system azimuth coverage requirements was examined

Longitudinal study of local authority child and family social workers (wave 1) Findings from a 5 year study of local authority child and family social workers in England.

The longitudinal study investigates recruitment, retention and career progression in local authority child and family social work over 5 years. This is the first of 5 reports. It provides workforce information for employers and policy makers. Topics covered in this report include: •entry routes into local authority child and family social work •current employment and career history •workplace wellbeing •management, supervision and working environment •job satisfaction •career progression and future career plan