Can’t See the Wood for the Trees: The Returns to Farm Forestry in Ireland

working paperThe period 2007-2009 witnessed considerable variability in the price of outputs such as milk and cereals and this was compounded by a high degree of volatility in the price of inputs such as fertilizer, animal feed and energy. Previously, Irish farms have used the returns to off-farm employment as well as agricultural support payments such as the Single Farm Payment (SFP) and the Rural Environmental Protection Scheme (REPS) to protect their living standards against low and uncertain agricultural market returns. However, the downturn in the Irish economy has led to a reduction in the availability of off-farm employment and also the discontinuation of REPS. This may lead to an increase in afforestation on Irish farms, as forestry offers greater certainty through the provision of an annual premium in addition to the SFP. However, the decision to afforest represents a significant long-term investment decision that should not be entered into without careful economic consideration. The aim of this paper is to use the Discounted Cash Flow (DCF) analysis method to calculate the returns to forestry under alternative opportunity costs associated with conventional agricultural activities being superseded. The returns to forestry are calculated using the Forestry Investment Value Estimator (FIVE). These returns were then incorporated in the DCF model along with the returns to five conventional agricultural enterprises, which would potentially be superseded by forestry. This approach allows for the calculation of the Net Present Value (NPV) of three forestry scenarios

Position Paper: Safety Culture: Why the FAA Should Consider Adapting the WINGS Pilot Proficiency Program as a Method of Remote Pilot Recertification

The FAA’s release of 14 CFR 107 establishes a new Remote Pilot certification for operation of small unmanned aircraft system (UAS) platforms. Remote Pilot privileges are valid for two years, during which the operator must complete a recurrent aeronautical knowledge test covering the seven topical areas of knowledge identified by 14 CFR 107.73(b). While the existing recertification methods allow for validation of remote pilot knowledge, they fail to engage this new group of aviators in establishing positive safety culture. The author proposes the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) adapt the existing framework for the WINGS Pilot Proficiency Program to offer regular courses and alternative recertification credit for small UAS Remote Pilots who complete training covering the topical areas addressed by 14 CFR 107.73(b)

Effect of Cellular Phone and Radar Forensics on Search and Rescue Duration for General Aviation Aircraft Accidents in the Contiguous United States

Emergency Locator Transmitters (ELT) are generally the primary tool for locating distressed aircrews following an aircraft accident. In 2009, the International COSPAS-SARSAT organization ordered the cessation of 121.5 MHz ELT satellite monitoring to alleviate systemic false alarms and encourage pilots to upgrade ELTs to modern 406 MHz models. While most nations acquiesced to the mandate, the United States encountered severe resistance from pilot groups. As a result, 121.5 MHz ELTs are still in use in the U.S. but remain unmonitored by satellite systems. This study sought to assess the impact of alternative search methods such as radar and cellular phone forensic analysis on search and rescue duration. The study collected records from 365 search missions conducted between 2006 and 2011 to determine if there was a significant difference in mission search durations if forensic methods were utilized. Data was transformed and assessed using ANOVA and Brown-Forsythe F-testing. The study revealed that missions which employed either cellular phone or radar forensic search methods required significantly longer than missions which did not employ those techniques. Missions utilizing cellular phone forensics required a mean of 23.4 search hours, whereas missions which did not use cellular forensic methods only required 13.2 hours. Similarly, missions using radar forensics required a mean of 21.3 hours versus 10.0 hours for missions which did not use such forensics. This research provides valuable data to search and rescue agencies in determining the efficacy of using both cellular phone and radar forensic methods in search operations

Evolution of UAS policy in the wake of Taylor v. Huerta

The U.S. Court of Appeals recently ruled that the Federal Aviation Administration exceeded their statutory authority in requiring model aircraft and hobbyist UAS operators to register their aircraft in a national database. The ruling represents a significant blow to the agency’s credibility in leading UAS integration into the National Airspace System. The paper points to several possible outcomes of the Taylor v. Huerta decision and its impact on the FAA’s ability to continue to lead change in the burgeoning UAS field

How Law Enforcement Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) Could Improve Tactical Response to Active Shooter Situations: The Case of the 2017 Las Vegas Shooting

Using a case study methodology, this paper assesses the unique tactical challenges faced by law enforcement officers responding to the October 1, 2017, Las Vegas active shooter incident. The authors assessed the tactical strengths of the assailant, Stephen Paddock, and challenges faced by law enforcement personnel. The authors present several proposed applications of unmanned aircraft systems that could have potentially mitigated the active shooter’s tactical advantages

Effect of 406 MHz ELTs and COSPAS-SARSAT Cessation of 121.5 MHz ELT Monitoring on Search and Rescue Duration for General Aviation Aircraft Accidents in the Contiguous United States

Emergency Locator Transmitters (ELTs) are credited with saving hundreds of lives every year in the United States. Following an aircraft accident, these devices transmit an emergency beacon signal to the COSPAS-SARSAT satellite network, directing search and rescue forces to the crash site. In recent years, this constellation has been plagued by ELT false alarms, propagating a technology transition to new 406 MHz ELT systems. In 2009, the group ceased monitoring of 121.5 MHz ELTs, degrading search and rescue capability for legacy ELTs. The Federal Communications Commission twice attempted to enact regulations to mandate industry-wide transition to 406 MHz ELTs, however, their efforts have met strong resistance by pilot advocacy groups. The purpose of this study was to determine if 406 MHz ELTs resulted in lower search and rescue durations than 121.5 MHz systems. Furthermore, the study sought to discover if the cessation of 121.5 MHz ELT monitoring in 2009 resulted in a change in search and rescue mission duration for legacy ELTs. The study collected data from an Air Force Rescue Coordination Center search and rescue database for search missions occurring between 2006-2011. To compare search durations of 406 MHz and 121.5 MHz ELTs, data was assessed using orthogonal contrast testing between historical mission durations. The same contrast technique was applied to 121.5 MHz ELT missions conducted from 2006-2008, which used the COSPAS-SARSAT network, and missions conducted from 2009-2011, in which 121.5 MHz satellite detection was deactivated. The study revealed 406 MHz ELTs offer a statistically significant advantage in search duration over 121.5 MHz ELT models. Additionally, the study determined there was no significant difference in mission durations for 121.5 MHz ELTs monitored by the COSPAS-SARSAT network and those missions which did not receive satellite coverage. This research will likely aid both regulators and advocacy groups in shaping future policy decisions for mandatory 406 MHz ELT implementation

Examining Unmanned Aerial System Threats & Defenses: A Conceptual Analysis

The integration of unmanned aerial systems (UAS) into the already complex global aviation system presents new and unique hazards. While many studies have addressed the potential safety concerns of UAS integration, little research has been dedicated to the potential security implications. This study sought to identify potential uses and adaptations of civil UAS systems as weapons of terrorism or crime and potential UAS defenses. Researchers examined 68 academic studies, unclassified government reports, and news articles using Conceptual Analysis to systematically capture and categorize various threats. Using the collected data, researchers developed a UAS threat model for categorically evaluating potential threats. Evaluating UAS defense methodologies, researchers developed a five-layer, defense-in-depth model for protecting assets and individuals from UAS threats

Building Evidence the Federal Aviation Administration\u27s UAS Safety Strategy Needs Improvement

The growth of unmanned aircraft operations within the National Airspace System (NAS) reveal an uptick of alarming safety indicators that suggest unmanned aircraft system (UAS) regulatory policy may require adjustment. Recent reports of aircraft collisions with UAS, an increase in pilot-reported near-misses, and research findings that indicate UAS platforms are capable of causing structural damage to aircraft suggest safe and effective UAS integration may not be proceeding as planned. The authors examine several safety indicators within the context of Heinrich’s Triangle to reveal the UAS industry’s susceptibility to evolving safety-related problems

Antecedents of support for social media content moderation and platform regulation: the role of presumed effects on self and others

This study examines support for regulation of and by platforms and provides insights into public perceptions of platform governance. While much of the public discourse surrounding platforms evolves at a policy level between think tanks, journalists, academics and political actors, little attention is paid to how people think about regulation of and by platforms. Through a representative survey study of US internet users (N = 1,022), we explore antecedents of support for social media content moderation by platforms, as well as for regulation of social media platforms by the government. We connect these findings to presumed effects on self (PME1) and others (PME3), concepts that lie at the core of third-person effect (TPE) and influence of presumed influence (IPI) scholarship. We identify third-person perceptions for social media content: Perceived negative effects are stronger for others than for oneself. A first-person perception operates on the platform level: The beneficial effects of social media platforms are perceived to be stronger for the self than for society. At the behavioral level, we identify age, education, opposition to censorship, and perceived negative effects of social media content on others (PME3) as significant predictors of support for content moderation. Concerning support for regulation of platforms by the government, we find significant effects of opposition to censorship, perceived intentional censorship, frequency of social media use, and trust in platforms. We argue that stakeholders involved in platform governance must take more seriously the attitudes of their constituents

UAS Pilots Code: Tools to Advance UAS Safety & Professionalism

As unmanned aircraft operations become more ubiquitous in the National Airspace System, one of the key remaining challenges is instilling the precepts of safety culture, aviation professionalism, airmanship, and effective aeronautical decision-making among these non-traditional aviators. To address these challenges, researchers codified best practices and operational recommendations from across the UAS industry, collectively publishing them in a compendium titled the UAS Pilots Code (UASPC). Guidance for the UASPC was informed by material assembled from leading governmental and industry organizations including: FAA, AEA, AMA, AOPA, ASTM, AUVSI, CANSO, EAA, EASA, EUROCAE, ICAO, ISO, JARUS, NBAA, RTCA, SAE, UVS, and others. Extensive recommendations, guidance, and ongoing peer review feedback was integrated from 60 aviation and UAS industry professionals. Divided into seven sections, the UASPC highlights the general safety responsibilities of UAS pilots, imparts methods to avoid creating hazards to manned aircraft operations and people on the surface, recommends training and proficiency benchmarks, encourages practices to ensure security and protect personal privacy, promotes environmental responsibility, guides the use of technology and automation, and advocates means of advancing the overall professionalism of the UAS industry. The UASPC contains 36 core safety principles supported by 180 sample recommended practices. The UASPC is not designed to merely establish minimum standards of practice, but rather to encourage continual safety improvement and excellence through self-regulation and responsibility. The UASPC was created as a collaborative venture between the Aviators Code Initiative and the University Aviation Association as a volunteer, public service to enhance aviation safety