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There is a growing risk to aircraft in flight from collisions with debris produced by the breakup of uncontrolled rocket bodies and satellites during atmospheric reentry. On one hand, the aviation industry has grown to almost 39 million flights per year, with a 63 % increase between 2004 and 2019. On the other hand, the number of successful rocket launches more than doubled between 2015 and 2023, from 87 to 212, respectively. During those 212 launches in 2023, 128 rocket bodies were abandoned in orbit, left to reenter uncontrollably. Such uncontrolled space object reentries are hard to predict, making mitigation measures difficult. In November 2022, a reentering Long March 5B rocket caused the closure of airspace over Europe, delaying 645 flights and having a plausible economic impact of millions of Euros. There are international and domestic laws that might enable the recovery of economic losses resulting from uncontrolled reentries, but such losses should not be allowed to occur in the first place. Instead of leaving the location of a reentry to chance, controlled reentries can be achieved with existing technologies and mission designs, directing reentries away from areas of high aircraft traffic. Moving to a controlled reentry regime would create a cost to space operators – but that cost is currently being externalized to the aviation industry. Multilateral solutions to create a controlled reentry regime should be pursued, as recommended in the 2023 Montreal Recommendations on Aviation Safety and Uncontrolled Space Object Reentries, before there is a tragedy caused by an aircraft collision with debris from a rocket body or satellite. • As the number of rocket launches and commercial aircraft flights increase, the probability of a catastrophic collision between an aircraft and reentering space debris is also growing. • Technologies and mission designs exist to enable all rocket bodies to be returned to Earth in a controlled manner, eliminating the casualty risk. • From a broad economic perspective, space companies are externalizing some of their risks and costs and imposing them on the aviation industry. • States are liable for damage caused by reentering space objects and could be liable for the economic costs caused by precautionary airspace closures. • The 2023 Montreal Recommendations offer actionable steps to reduce the risk of collisions between space debris and aircraft. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Eccentric upper‐body exercise performed 24 h prior to high‐altitude decompression has previously been shown to aggravate venous gas emboli (VGE) load. Yet, it is unclear whether increasing the muscle mass recruited (i.e., upper vs. whole‐body) during eccentric exercise would exacerbate the decompression strain. Accordingly, this study aimed to investigate whether the total muscle mass recruited during eccentric exercise influences the decompression strain. Eleven male participants were exposed to a simulated altitude of 24,000 ft for 90 min on three separate occasions. Twenty‐four hours before each exposure, participants performed one of the following protocols: (i) eccentric whole‐body exercise (ECCw; squats and arm‐cycling exercise), (ii) eccentric upper‐body exercise (ECCu; arm‐cycling), or (iii) no exercise (control). Delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS) and isometric strength were evaluated before and after each exercise intervention. VGE load was evaluated at rest and after knee‐ and arm‐flex provocations using the 6‐graded Eftedal–Brubakk scale. Knee extensor (−20 ± 14%, P = 0.001) but not elbow flexor (−12 ± 18%, P = 0.152) isometric strength was reduced 24 h after ECCw. ECCu reduced elbow flexor isometric strength at 24 h post‐exercise (−18 ± 10%, P < 0.001). Elbow flexor DOMS was higher in the ECCu (median 6) compared with ECCw (5, P = 0.035). VGE scores were higher following arm‐flex provocations in the ECCu (median (range), 3 (0–4)) compared with ECCw (2 (0–3), P = 0.039) and control (0 (0–2), P = 0.011), and in ECCw compared with control (P = 0.023). VGE were detected earlier in ECCu (13 ± 20 min) compared with control (60 ± 38 min, P = 0.021), while no differences were noted between ECCw (18 ± 30 min) and control or ECCu. Eccentric exercise increased the decompression strain compared with control. The VGE load varied depending on the body region but not the total muscle mass recruited. Highlights: What is the central question of this study?Does exercise‐induced muscle damage (EIMD) resulting from eccentric exercise influence the presence of venous gas emboli (VGE) during a 90 min continuous exposure at 24,000 ft?What is the main finding and its importance?EIMD led to an earlier manifestation and greater VGE load compared with control. However, the decompression strain was dependent on the body region but not the total muscle mass recruited. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The operating room is the environment where harm to the patient is most likely. Robotic surgery was listed as one of the top 10 health hazards as late as 2020. Taking inspiration from other fields of application, such as aeronautics, checklists have been increasingly implemented in medical practice over the years, becoming essential components of the operating theatre. In addition to checklists, simulation has taken on a fundamental importance in reducing errors. This paper aims to provide a narrative review to assess the importance of checklists and training in robotic surgery and how they improve the outcome. A comprehensive literature search from January 2000 to September 2023 was conducted. A total of 97 articles were included in the initial search. Eleven studies were deemed relevant and were considered eligible for full-text reading. Among these, ten studies focused on the analysis of training effectiveness. An article in our review assessed the benefits of introducing checklists in the operating room. Innovations created in aviation, such as checklists and simulation, have entered the medical field to prevent human error. Developing dedicated checklist and surgical teams, through theoretical and practical training, has become essential in modern medicine. Tools such as checklists, training, and simulation are among the best methods to reduce adverse medical events. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper explores the predominantly male-dominated aviation sector and highlights the benefits of increasing female representation. The key objectives are to analyze the gender pay gap, assess the current gender imbalance, and explore how addressing these issues could contribute to the sector's sustainability and operational success. A combined quantitative and qualitative methodology is employed, including scenario-building based on monetary indicators and achievements from other industries where female workforce participation has been enhanced. The results demonstrate that closing the gender pay gap and boosting female participation in air transport operations, in line with supranational recommendations, can lead to significant financial gains and operational improvements. The study concludes that promoting gender equity is not only a social imperative but also a crucial factor for achieving sustainability goals within aviation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Visibility is one of the key meteorological parameters with special importance in aviation meteorology and the transportation industry. Nevertheless, it is not a straightforward task to automatize visibility observations, since the assistance of trained human observers is still inevitable. The current paper attempts to make the first step in the process of automated visibility observations: it examines, by the approaches of artificial intelligence (AI), whether light points in the target area can or cannot be automatically detected for the purposes of night-time visibility observations. From a technical point of view, our approach mimics human visibility observation of the whole circular horizon by the usage of camera imagery. We evaluated the detectability of light points in the camera images (1) based on an AI approach (convolutional neural network, CNN) and (2) based on a traditional approach using simple binary thresholding (BT). The models based on trained CNN achieved remarkably better results in terms of higher values of statistical metrics, and less susceptibility to errors than the BT-based method. Compared to BT, the CNN classification method indicated greater stability since the accuracy of these models grew with increasing pixel size around the key points. This fundamental difference between the approaches was also confirmed through the Mann–Whitney U test. Thus, the presented AI-based determination of key points' detectability in the night with decent accuracy has great potential in the objectivization of everyday routines of professional meteorology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To evaluate neck muscle coactivation across different levels of mental workload during simulated flight tasks. Background: Neck pain (NP) is highly prevalent among military aviators. Given the complex nature within the flight environment, mental workload may be a risk factor for NP. This may induce higher levels of neck muscle coactivity, which over time may accelerate fatigue, increase neck discomfort, and affect flight task performance. Method: Three counterbalanced mental workload conditions represented by simulated flight tasks modulated by interstimulus frequency and complexity were investigated using the Modifiable Multitasking Environment (ModME). The primary measure was a neck coactivation index to describe the neuromuscular effort of the neck muscles as a system. Additional measures included perceived workload (NASA TLX), subjective discomfort, and task performance. Participants (n = 60; 30M, 30F) performed three test conditions over 1 hr each while seated in a simulated seating environment. Results: Neck coactivation indices (CoA) and subjective neck discomfort corresponded with increasing level of mental workload. Average CoAs for low, medium, and high workloads were:.0278(SD =.0232),.0286(SD =.0231), and.0295(SD =.0228), respectively. NASA TLX mental, temporal, effort, and overall scores also increased with the level of mental workload assigned. For ModME task performance, the overall performance score, monitoring accuracy, and resource management accuracy decreased while reaction times increased with the increasing level of mental workload. Communication accuracy was lowest with the low mental workload but had higher reaction times relative to increasing workload. Conclusion: Mental workload affects neck muscle coactivation during combinations of simulated flight tasks within a simulated helicopter seating environment. Application: The results of this study provide insights into the physical response to mental workload. With increasing multisensory modalities within the work environment, these insights may assist the consideration of physical effects from cognitive factors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this work, we explored the feasibility of using a transformer-based time-series forecasting architecture, known as the Temporal Fusion Transformer (TFT), for anomaly detection using threaded track data from the MITRE Corporation's Transportation Data Platform (TDP) and digital flight data. The TFT architecture has the flexibility to include both time-varying multivariate data and categorical data from multimodal data sources and conduct single-output or multi-output predictions. For anomaly detection, rather than training a TFT model to predict the outcomes of specific aviation safety events, we train a TFT model to learn nominal behavior. Any significant deviation of the TFT model's future horizon forecast for the output flight parameters of interest from the observed time-series data is considered an anomaly when conducting evaluations. For proof-of-concept demonstrations, we used an unstable approach (UA) as the anomaly event. This type of anomaly detection approach with nominal behavior learning can be used to develop flight analytics to identify emerging safety hazards in historical flight data and has the potential to be used as an on-board early warning system to assist pilots during flight. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The integration of artificial intelligence of things (AIoT) is transforming aviation health monitoring systems by combining extensive data collection with advanced analytical capabilities. This study proposes a framework that enhances predictive accuracy, operational efficiency, and safety while optimizing maintenance strategies and reducing costs. Utilizing a three-tiered cloud architecture, the AIoT system enables real-time data acquisition from sensors embedded in aircraft systems, followed by machine learning algorithms to analyze and interpret the data for proactive decision-making. This research examines the evolution from traditional to AIoT-enhanced monitoring, presenting a comprehensive architecture integrated with satellite communication and 6G technology. The mathematical models quantifying the benefits of increased diagnostic depth through AIoT, covering aspects such as predictive accuracy, cost savings, and safety improvements are introduced in this paper. The findings emphasize the strategic importance of investing in AIoT technologies to balance cost, safety, and efficiency in aviation maintenance and operations, marking a paradigm shift from traditional health monitoring to proactive health management in aviation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The background of this research is environmental sustainability assessments in the aviation ecosystem, particularly concerning airports, which are getting significant attention from industry representatives, regulators, and researchers. A standardized and comprehensive approach is essential to uniformly address the global impact of these assessments across the industry. The main objective of this study is to propose a framework that encompasses the requirements of aviation regulators, as well as industry and academic metrics, aiming for a standardized approach to environmental sustainability assessments at airports. The methodology employs the Sum of Rankings Method to rank each airport across various environmental indicators. This approach was applied to five globally distributed airports, offering a diverse testing ground for assessing the applicability and effectiveness of the proposed metrics and validating the ranking framework. The results show that applying the framework across varied airport environments demonstrated its ranking viability and effectiveness, indicating that it can be successfully applied to different airport realities. The conclusion shows that the developed framework can be successfully applied, suggesting that it is a valid method for adoption in environmental airport sustainability rankings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study focuses on the dynamics of the profit margin within the aviation MRO industry, using operational data from a small and medium-sized enterprise (SME) MRO company between 2013 and 2021. Especially in SME MROs, profit margin analysis provides an advantage in competing with the large companies that dominate the industry. Therefore, the operational data were prepared for analysis to identify the variables related to the profit margin. This study's data cleaning and transformation processes can serve as a guideline for similarly sized companies. The research aims to address the complex relationships among the factors influencing profit margins in this industry. The objective is to utilise these factors in making strategic decisions to increase the profit margin of an SME MRO company. Applying gradient boosting algorithms as the analytical framework should allow identifying the correct relationships between the profit margin and input variables according to time for the SME MRO company. Another important aspect of this study is to increase the accuracy of the gradient boosting model by utilising the interactive grouping methodology. The variable selection was performed by using the Gini indexes of the variables using interactive grouping as a criterion in selecting the variables to be included in the model. After the data cleaning, transformation, and selection, the input variables for the gradient boosting model were Part Description, Parts Billed Current (part cost), Labour Billed Current (labour cost), Diff Shipping Entry (turnaround time (TAT)), Diff Quote Entry (time to quotation (TTQ)), Manager, Department, and Status. In this study, the profitability model indicates that the SME MRO company should initially focus on part numbers and the departments, secondly on standardisation of and expertise in preferred workshop units, and lastly, on highly qualified and effective technical department leaders and increasing labour. The aviation industry emerges as a sector that requires such analytical studies. It is hoped that the study will serve as a foundational work for SME MRO companies in the aviation industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: COVID-19 has demonstrated the importance of competent staff with expertise in public health emergency preparedness and response in the civil aviation system. The civil aviation system is a critical sentinel and checkpoint to prevent imported cases and slow the spread of communicable diseases. Understanding the current competencies of staff to deal with public health emergencies will help government agencies develop targeted training and evidence-based policies to improve their public health preparedness and response capabilities. Methods: This cross-sectional pilot study was conducted from November 2022 to October 2023, involving 118 staff members from various positions within China's civil aviation system. A 59-item questionnaire was translated and developed according to a competency profile. Data were collected using the self-report questionnaire to measure the workforce's self-perceptions of knowledge and skills associated with public health emergency proficiency, categorized into (1) general competency, (2) preparedness competency, (3) response competency, and (4) recovery competency. KMO & Bartlett test and Cronbach's α reliability analysis were used to test the reliability and validity of the questionnaire. Descriptive statistics, independent sample T-test, ANOVA, and linear regression models were performed to analyze the competencies. Results: A total of 107 staff members from the aviation system were surveyed in this study. The KMO & Bartlett test, (KMO = 0.919, P < 0.001) and Cronbach's α coefficients (α = 0.985) for this questionnaire were acceptable. The results suggested that respondents scored a mean of 6.48 out of 9 for the single question. However, the staff needed to acquire more knowledge in investigating epidemic information (5.92) and case managing (5.91) in the response stage. Overall, males scored higher (409.05 ± 81.39) than females (367.99 ± 84.97), with scores in the medical department (445.67 ± 72.01) higher than management (387.00 ± 70.87) and general department (362.32 ± 86.93). Additionally, those with completely subjective evaluation (425.79 ± 88.10) scored higher than the general group (374.39 ± 79.91). To predict the total score, female medical workers were more likely to have lower scores (β = -34.5, P = 0.041). Compared with those in the medical department, the management workers (β = -65.54, P = 0.008) and general workers (β = -78.06, P < 0.001) were associated with a lower total score. Conclusions: There was still a gap between the public health emergency competencies of the civil aviation system and the demand. Staff in China's civil aviation systems demonstrated overall competence in public health emergency preparedness and response. However, there was a need to enhance the accumulation of practical experience. Implementing effective training programs for public health emergencies was recommended to mitigate knowledge gaps. Meanwhile, regular training evaluations were also recommended to give comprehensive feedback on the value of the training programs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Because of its distinct function and geographic conditions, the impact of climate change on the operation, safety, and income of airports in coastal areas is becoming increasingly significant. The measurement of climate resilience can help identify priority needs and measures to adapt to climate change, which is a crucial step in developing an aviation adaptation plan. At present, the concept of climate resilience is relatively complex and lacks a clear uniformity of composition, which has made it challenging to effectively support the development of adaptation strategies. Based on the definition of climate resilience, our first step was to construct an evaluation system for coastal airports to visually represent the level of climate resilience. Next, in this study, we introduced a coupling coordination and obstacle degree model to analyze the coordinated development and key drivers of climate resilience, which could be used to develop a targeted improvement strategy based on the calculation results. In the future, additional measures can be combined from the natural environment, socioeconomics, governance capacity, and climate change risk to enhance the capacity development of the aviation industry to address climate change and foster the establishment of a sustainable development model between the industry and the environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Artificial Intelligence (AI) has transformed the way human-computer interaction (HCI) teams are able to collaborate and coordinate in various domains, including aviation. AI's transformative capabilities can enhance teamwork, efficiency, and safety, particularly in risk management. AI's ability to process vast amounts of data and provide real-time insights enables informed decision-making and automation of repetitive tasks in aviation. By combining the strengths of AI and humans, outlined in our modified version of the 'HABA-MABA' framework, a dynamic teamwork relationship emerges, provided roles are successfully allocated. AI systems are able to act as intelligent assistants, offering timely recommendations, fostering effective communication, and facilitating coordination among crew members. Its adaptability and capacity for learning improve collaboration abilities, tailoring strategies to meet the team's specific needs. This paper explores the theories, considerations, and implications of human-AI teams in aviation, highlighting potential benefits, training recommendations, and future research directions. While human-AI teams offer numerous benefits, addressing the risks, limitations, and ethical considerations is crucial to ensuring safe and efficient operations. Future research must prioritize transparency, explainability, adaptability, and real-world testing to unlock the full potential of human-AI teams and foster successful integration across diverse domains. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) stands as an integral component of any successful organization. Historically, society has overlooked and underplayed DEI matters, resulting in the underrepresentation of minority groups, including women and people of color. In the past decade, underrepresentation of women and other minority groups in aviation workforce has received attention and raised concerns among industry stakeholders. To gain insight into the status of women in aviation, the authors analyzed the participation of females in aviation professions between 2016 and 2021. Data used in this study were retrieved from the 2023 U.S. Civil Airmen Statistics published by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). Descriptive and inferential statistical methods, including one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA), are used to analyze the trends and features of pilots and instructors holding different types of airmen certificates. The analysis delves into temporal, geographic, and age distributions. The temporal distributions reveal that the number and percentage of women in aviation professions have not significantly changed. From 2007 to 2021, female airline transport pilots (ATPs) marginally increased from 3.7% to 4.7%. Notably, there are statistically significant differences across the eight FAA regions, with the Alaskan region having the highest percentage of female pilots, instructors, and remote pilots, while the Central and Southwest regions exhibit the lowest percentages. In addition, a significant age-related disparity exists among female pilots, with a decline in female representation as the certification level advances. Given that the underrepresentation of women in aviation professions resulted from a mix of social, educational, organizational, and financial factors, recognition, understanding, embracement, and advocating for DEI issues could ultimately lead to increased equality, and a positive impact on the ongoing workforce shortage in the aviation sector and the long-term sustainability of the aviation industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Engine failure after take-off (or one engine being inoperative) is an exercise conducted as part of multi-engine flight training and on-going competency checking. To prepare pilots to manage a real in-flight emergency, this exercise has traditionally been conducted immediately after take-off. This has led to increased risks of fatal accidents due to the reduced height at which these exercises are typically conducted. Yet, there is variation in the heights stipulated in training procedures published by different stakeholders worldwide. Additionally, the conduct of the exercise has resulted in fatal accidents worldwide. This paper aims to review the previous literature on aviation training and aviation occurrence data to determine what empirical data exists to support the method of conducting simulated engine failures. Peer-reviewed academic publications on aviation training, aviation occurrence databases such as aviation investigation reports, and guidance materials published by aviation authorities on simulated training exercises will be included in this paper. It was found that the previous research on these exercises has focused on the transfer of motion cues or pilot responses to abnormal situations, but did not include specific data comparing pilot performance at different heights above ground level. A review of aviation occurrences found that actual engine failures occurred at higher heights that those used in simulated engine failures. A comparison of the guidance published by aviation authorities identified variations in the minimum altitude published and differing justifications for the minimum height chosen. Future research is needed to compare pilot performance during simulated engine failures to determine the ideal height to conduct the exercise to be representative of an actual engine failure while maintaining safety margins. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article focuses on emission analysis of non-CO2 pollutions from aircraft engines on different flight levels: FL240, FL300 and FL350. The calculation was made based on the A320 flight from Berlin to Lisbon at flight level 350, which was the reference flight level in the analysis. Four sustainable aviation fuels have been taken into consideration: biofuel from jatropha and biofuel from camelina, which are used in different percentages of fuel: 20% of CSPK and JSPK and 40% of CSPK and JSPK. The results showed that the lowest emission of carbon monoxide is on the lowest tested flight level for flight on biofuel, and the lowest emission of nitrogen oxides is for Jet A-1 on the lowest tested flight level. Emission of every toxic gas compound has been compared to conventional jet fuel on flight level 350 to show the differences between flight levels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract The windshear (WS) or wind gradient is a short-lived microscale or meso-gamma weather phenomenon and is potentially very dangerous for aviation everywhere. This research presents the calculation of WS frequency and intensity from radiosonde data at six airport stations namely Abha, Jeddah, Madinah, Tabuk, Riyadh, and Dammam airport in Saudi Arabia for the period 1991–2020. The frequency and intensity of WS indicate that the number of severe WS increased suddenly from 2015 below 30 m level at all stations except for Riyadh there is no sudden increase. At all other levels, the number of light WS increased from bottom to up to ~ 900 m and then gradually decreased at 1200 m irrespective of stations. Overall, the highest WS observed in the autumn season for all stations except it is in summer for Jeddah. The occurrence of WS is higher in the daytime as compared to the nighttime round the year for Dammam, Madinah, Riyad, and Tabuk while the pattern is opposite for Jeddah. In Abha, it depends on the season. The sudden increase of severe WS from 2015 can be linked to the increase of building areas surrounded the airport. However, further investigation is required to understand the large number of severe WS and its relation to climate change in the region along with teleconnection to the large-scale circulations.

Abstract Eccentric upper‐body exercise performed 24 h prior to high‐altitude decompression has previously been shown to aggravate venous gas emboli (VGE) load. Yet, it is unclear whether increasing the muscle mass recruited (i.e., upper vs. whole‐body) during eccentric exercise would exacerbate the decompression strain. Accordingly, this study aimed to investigate whether the total muscle mass recruited during eccentric exercise influences the decompression strain. Eleven male participants were exposed to a simulated altitude of 24,000 ft for 90 min on three separate occasions. Twenty‐four hours before each exposure, participants performed one of the following protocols: (i) eccentric whole‐body exercise (ECCw; squats and arm‐cycling exercise), (ii) eccentric upper‐body exercise (ECCu; arm‐cycling), or (iii) no exercise (control). Delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS) and isometric strength were evaluated before and after each exercise intervention. VGE load was evaluated at rest and after knee‐ and arm‐flex provocations using the 6‐graded Eftedal–Brubakk scale. Knee extensor (−20 ± 14%, P = 0.001) but not elbow flexor (−12 ± 18%, P = 0.152) isometric strength was reduced 24 h after ECCw. ECCu reduced elbow flexor isometric strength at 24 h post‐exercise (−18 ± 10%, P

Bu çalışmada, havacılık sektöründe karbon ayak izinin belirlenmesi ve azaltılması ile ilgili örnek bir uygulama yapılmıştır. Uygulamada, Eskişehir ilinde faaliyette olan Hasan Polatkan Havalimanı’nın 2023 yılındaki uçuşları baz alınarak karbon ayak izi hesaplanması amacıyla bir süreç gerçekleştirilmiştir. Çalışmada, emisyon hesaplamalarında Hükümetler Arası İklim Değişikliği Paneli tarafından tavsiye edilen Tier yaklaşım metodu kullanılmıştır. Ulaştırmadan kaynaklanan 〖CO〗_2 emisyon miktarı 2023 yılı Hasan Polatkan Havalimanı’nında 6.893.160 kg olarak hesaplanmıştır. Sonuç olarak; havayolu ulaştırma sektöründe kullanılan uçakların üreticileri ile düzenleyici kurumlar arasında sürdürülebilirlik konusunda bir standardizasyonun acilen sağlanmasının gerekli oluğu tespit edilmiştir.

Abstract Introduction COVID-19 has demonstrated the importance of competent staff with expertise in public health emergency preparedness and response in the civil aviation system. The civil aviation system is a critical sentinel and checkpoint to prevent imported cases and slow the spread of communicable diseases. Understanding the current competencies of staff to deal with public health emergencies will help government agencies develop targeted training and evidence-based policies to improve their public health preparedness and response capabilities. Methods This cross-sectional pilot study was conducted from November 2022 to October 2023, involving 118 staff members from various positions within China’s civil aviation system. A 59-item questionnaire was translated and developed according to a competency profile. Data were collected using the self-report questionnaire to measure the workforce’s self-perceptions of knowledge and skills associated with public health emergency proficiency, categorized into (1) general competency, (2) preparedness competency, (3) response competency, and (4) recovery competency. KMO & Bartlett test and Cronbach’s α reliability analysis were used to test the reliability and validity of the questionnaire. Descriptive statistics, independent sample T-test, ANOVA, and linear regression models were performed to analyze the competencies. Results A total of 107 staff members from the aviation system were surveyed in this study. The KMO & Bartlett test, (KMO = 0.919, P

Abstract Because of its distinct function and geographic conditions, the impact of climate change on the operation, safety, and income of airports in coastal areas is becoming increasingly significant. The measurement of climate resilience can help identify priority needs and measures to adapt to climate change, which is a crucial step in developing an aviation adaptation plan. At present, the concept of climate resilience is relatively complex and lacks a clear uniformity of composition, which has made it challenging to effectively support the development of adaptation strategies. Based on the definition of climate resilience, our first step was to construct an evaluation system for coastal airports to visually represent the level of climate resilience. Next, in this study, we introduced a coupling coordination and obstacle degree model to analyze the coordinated development and key drivers of climate resilience, which could be used to develop a targeted improvement strategy based on the calculation results. In the future, additional measures can be combined from the natural environment, socioeconomics, governance capacity, and climate change risk to enhance the capacity development of the aviation industry to address climate change and foster the establishment of a sustainable development model between the industry and the environment.

This review article provides a deep dive into the diverse landscape of Additive Manufacturing (AM) technologies and their significant impact on the automotive and aviation sectors. It starts by exploring various AM methodologies such as Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM), Stereolithography (SLA), Digital Light Processing (DLP), Selective Laser Sintering (SLS), Metal Jet Fusion (MJF), Binder Jetting (BJ), and Directed Energy Deposition (DED), with a specific focus on their applicability, strengths, and challenges within these industries. The article then delves into the practical applications of AM in rapid prototyping, functional part production, and component repair. The results highlight the versatility and precision of SLA and DLP, the strength and durability of SLS, and the potential of metal-based technologies like LPBF, SLM, EBM, and DMLS in manufacturing critical components. The integration of AM with automotive and aviation design underscores the transformative nature of these technologies, driving advancements in lightweight, intricate, and high-performance components. The review concludes by emphasising AM's significant opportunities and acknowledging the ongoing challenges in material properties, post-processing, and production scalability, thereby underscoring the necessity for future research and innovation in these sectors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As carbon neutrality gains momentum, industries worldwide are navigating the challenges and opportunities posed by sustainability goals. This article delves into the strategies undertaken by airlines and maritime companies to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050 in the European Union (EU). The aim of the research is to explore how the aviation and maritime industries in Europe can effectively transition towards carbon neutrality by 2050, considering their similar technological challenges and opportunities. The objective of this research was to identify and compare currently utilized sustainability initiatives in aviation and maritime companies. The focus is on new insight from airline and maritime companies concentrating on their sustainability practices. Common hurdles, innovative solutions, and shared opportunities in the pursuit of environmental sustainability are explored.

Abstract Data management is a crucial requirement due to the autonomous and constrained nature of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs), Internet of Things (IoTs), and the aviation domain. The autonomous and restricted nature of these sectors increases the need for a shared, distributed database, strong access control management, consensus in autonomous decision‐making, and effective communication across diverse protocols and devices. This research presents a comprehensive approach and offers a new viewpoint to the field of blockchain while establishing a fundamental baseline for future improvements in data management systems and addressing the shortcomings of previously proposed existing frameworks in order to fulfill the complex needs of secure data management. This study contributes to the advancement of secure and efficient data management systems by implementing robust data monitoring for error detection, ensuring data integrity, and enabling encrypted or anonymous data sharing based on sensitivity levels. Additionally, the integration of diverse devices, enforcement of immutable regulations compliance, and development of permissioned blockchain systems for identity management further enhance the system's capabilities, offering comprehensive solutions for modern data management challenges. In the tests, the proposed framework showed increased successful transactions in all rate controllers. Besides, effect of the validator number on throughput and latency is tested and analyzed thoroughly.

In order to design aircraft for minimum impact on climate, appropriate evaluation tools must be integrated early in the aircraft design loop and account for both CO2 and non‑CO2 effects. This paper evaluates the impact of CO2, NOx emissions, and contrail formation from turboprops (D328 and D328eco) compared to jets (A320, ERJ135) using simplified evaluation tools, namely the climate response models AirClim and LEEA. Operational parameters such as distance and altitude are varied, and we propose two one-dimensional correction methods to adjust the climate impact of contrails for aircraft size. Compared to turboprops, jets have higher fuel burn and fly on average at higher altitudes, where the impact from contrails is higher. Based on our assumptions, we show that turboprop aircraft have the capability to compete with larger aircraft and outperform regional jets in terms of climate impact per passenger-kilometre.

In recent years, the rapid growth of air traffic has intensified pressure on the air transport system, leading to congestion problems in airports and airspace. The projected increase in demand exacerbates these issues, necessitating immediate attention. Additionally, there is a growing concern regarding the environmental impact of the aviation sector. To tackle these challenges, the adoption of advanced methods and technologies shows promise in expanding current airspace capacity and improving its management. This paper presents an overview of sustainable aviation, drawing on publications from academia and industry. The emphasis is on optimizing both flight and ground operations. Specifically, the review delves into recent advancements in airline operations, airport operations, flight operations, and disruption management, analyzing their respective research objectives, problem formulations, methodologies, and computational experiments. Furthermore, the review identifies emerging trends, prevailing obstacles, and potential directions for future research.

Artificial intelligence is developing at a rapid pace, with examples of machine learning already being used in aviation to improve efficiency. In the coming decade, it is likely that intelligent assistants (IAs) will be deployed to assist aviation personnel in the cockpit, the air traffic control center, and in airports. This will be a game-changer and may herald the way forward for single-pilot operations and AI-based air traffic management. Yet in aviation there is a core underlying tenet that ‘people create safety’ and keep the skies and passengers safe, based on a robust industry-wide safety culture. Introducing IAs into aviation might therefore undermine aviation’s hard-won track record in this area. Three experts in safety culture and human-AI teaming used a validated safety culture tool to explore the potential impacts of introducing IAs into aviation. The results suggest that there are indeed potential negative outcomes, but also possible safety affordances wherein AI could strengthen safety culture. Safeguards and mitigations are suggested for the key risk owners in aviation organizations, from CEOs to middle managers, to safety departments and frontline staff. Such safeguards will help ensure safety remains a priority across the industry.

Introduction: Measuring an operator's physiological state and using that data to predict future performance decrements has been an ongoing goal in many areas of transportation. Regarding Army aviation, the realization of such an endeavor could lead to the development of an adaptive automation system which adapts to the needs of the operator. However, reaching this end state requires the use of experimental scenarios similar to real-life settings in order to induce the state of interest that are able to account for individual differences in experience, exposure, and perception to workload manipulations. In the present study, we used an individualized approach to manipulating workload in order to account for individual differences in response to workload manipulations, while still providing an operationally relevant flight experience. Methods: Eight Army aviators participated in the study, where they completed two visits to the laboratory. The first visit served the purpose of identifying individual workload thresholds, with the second visit resulting in flights with individualized workload manipulations. EEG data was collected throughout both flights, along with subjective ratings of workload and flight performance. Results: Both EEG data and workload ratings suggested a high workload. Subjective ratings were higher during the high workload flight compared to the low workload flight (p < 0.001). Regarding EEG, frontal alpha (p = 0.04) and theta (p = 0.01) values were lower and a ratio of beta/(alpha+theta) (p = 0.02) were higher in the baseline flight scenario compared to the high workload scenario. Furthermore, the data were compared to that collected in previous studies which used a group-based approach to manipulating workload. Discussion: The individualized method demonstrated higher effect sizes in both EEG and subjective ratings, suggesting the use of this method may provide a more reliable way of producing high workload in aviators. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Data management is a crucial requirement due to the autonomous and constrained nature of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs), Internet of Things (IoTs), and the aviation domain. The autonomous and restricted nature of these sectors increases the need for a shared, distributed database, strong access control management, consensus in autonomous decision‐making, and effective communication across diverse protocols and devices. This research presents a comprehensive approach and offers a new viewpoint to the field of blockchain while establishing a fundamental baseline for future improvements in data management systems and addressing the shortcomings of previously proposed existing frameworks in order to fulfill the complex needs of secure data management. This study contributes to the advancement of secure and efficient data management systems by implementing robust data monitoring for error detection, ensuring data integrity, and enabling encrypted or anonymous data sharing based on sensitivity levels. Additionally, the integration of diverse devices, enforcement of immutable regulations compliance, and development of permissioned blockchain systems for identity management further enhance the system's capabilities, offering comprehensive solutions for modern data management challenges. In the tests, the proposed framework showed increased successful transactions in all rate controllers. Besides, effect of the validator number on throughput and latency is tested and analyzed thoroughly. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Reliable testing of aviation components depends on the quality and configuration flexibility of measurement systems. In a typical approach to test instrumentation, there are tens or hundreds of sensors on the test head and test facility, which are connected by wires to measurement cards in control cabinets. The preparation of wiring and the setup of measurement systems are laborious tasks requiring diligence. The use of smart wireless transducers allows for a new approach to test preparation by reducing the number of wires. Moreover, additional functionalities like data processing, alarm-level monitoring, compensation, or self-diagnosis could improve the functionality and accuracy of measurement systems. A combination of low power consumption, wireless communication, and wireless power transfer could speed up the test-rig instrumentation process and bring new test possibilities, e.g., long-term testing of moving or rotating components. This paper presents the design of a wireless smart transducer dedicated for use with sensors typical of aviation laboratories such as thermocouples, RTDs (Resistance Temperature Detectors), strain gauges, and voltage output integrated sensors. The following sections present various design requirements, proposed technical solutions, a study of battery and wireless power supply possibilities, assembly, and test results. All presented tests were carried out in the Components Test Laboratory located at the Łukasiewicz Research Network–Institute of Aviation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simulation methods are currently widely used, from simulations of various experiments to the calculation of certain integrals to the solution of differential equations. We can also use them in the economy and business operations. A specific industry, such as air transport, currently applies simulations to decision-making processes only to a small extent. The aim of the article is to point out the applicability of Monte Carlo simulation in the area of risk assessment of projects and investment activities, which is an important factor in achieving business sustainability. Through stochastic and deterministic modelling, simulations were performed using the Crystal Ball software tool. The simulation criterion is Net Present Value (NPV), modelled in different variants of variables in the form of own and foreign sources of financing. Simulation research in the field of financial decision-making is practically unknown and not applied to aviation companies. The process of planning investments and simulating their development in order to ensure sustainability for the future should become an integral part of all companies in aviation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Artificial intelligence is developing at a rapid pace, with examples of machine learning already being used in aviation to improve efficiency. In the coming decade, it is likely that intelligent assistants (IAs) will be deployed to assist aviation personnel in the cockpit, the air traffic control center, and in airports. This will be a game-changer and may herald the way forward for single-pilot operations and AI-based air traffic management. Yet in aviation there is a core underlying tenet that 'people create safety' and keep the skies and passengers safe, based on a robust industry-wide safety culture. Introducing IAs into aviation might therefore undermine aviation's hard-won track record in this area. Three experts in safety culture and human-AI teaming used a validated safety culture tool to explore the potential impacts of introducing IAs into aviation. The results suggest that there are indeed potential negative outcomes, but also possible safety affordances wherein AI could strengthen safety culture. Safeguards and mitigations are suggested for the key risk owners in aviation organizations, from CEOs to middle managers, to safety departments and frontline staff. Such safeguards will help ensure safety remains a priority across the industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In recent years, the rapid growth of air traffic has intensified pressure on the air transport system, leading to congestion problems in airports and airspace. The projected increase in demand exacerbates these issues, necessitating immediate attention. Additionally, there is a growing concern regarding the environmental impact of the aviation sector. To tackle these challenges, the adoption of advanced methods and technologies shows promise in expanding current airspace capacity and improving its management. This paper presents an overview of sustainable aviation, drawing on publications from academia and industry. The emphasis is on optimizing both flight and ground operations. Specifically, the review delves into recent advancements in airline operations, airport operations, flight operations, and disruption management, analyzing their respective research objectives, problem formulations, methodologies, and computational experiments. Furthermore, the review identifies emerging trends, prevailing obstacles, and potential directions for future research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study offers a comprehensive examination, both theoretically and experimentally, of the potential of methanol (M) as a sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) assessed in combination with kerosene (Ke—Jet-A aviation fuel + 5% Aeroshell oil). Different blends of methanol and kerosene (10%, 20%, and 30% vol. of (M) was added to Ke) were tested in an aviation micro turbo-engine under various operating regimes, such as idle, cruise, and maximum. Key engine parameters, including combustion temperature, fuel consumption, and thrust, were closely monitored during these trials. Essential performance indicators such as combustion efficiency, thermal efficiency, and specific consumption for all fuel blends under maximum operating conditions are also presented. Physical and chemical characteristics, such as viscosity, density, calorific value and flash point, were determined for each blend. Moreover, elemental analysis and FTIR spectroscopy were utilized to evaluate the chemical composition of the fuels. This study further investigated the air requirements for stoichiometric combustion and computed the resulting CO2 and H2O emissions. Experimental tests were conducted on the Jet Cat P80® micro turbo-engine, covering assessments of starting procedures, acceleration, deceleration, and pollutant emissions (CO and SO2) during various engine operating conditions. The results suggest that the examined fuel blends demonstrate stable engine performance at concentrations of 10% and 20% methanol. However, observations indicate that with an increase in methanol concentration, particularly at 30%, the stability of the engine at idle and, notably, at maximum speed decreases significantly. Specifically, at a 30% methanol concentration, the engine no longer operates stably, exhibiting significant rpm fluctuations, leading to the decision not to explore higher concentrations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aims to trace the nature of the use of the air attack means (means of air attack include ballistic missiles, heavier-than-air aircraft s -- military aircraft s, helicopters, cruise missiles, aerial bombs, UAVs, and aerostats) by the Russian Federation during the first year of the wide-scale invasion of the Russian Federation into Ukraine, based on the analysis and comparison and to determine the countermeasures and anti-aircraft means used by the Defence Forces of Ukraine. The research methodology is based on the principles of historicism and impartiality and the use of comparative-historical and statistical methods. Scientific novelty. The data on the quantitative indicators of the means of the air attack of the aggressor -- the Russian Federation and the information on the countermeasures against air attack means of the Russian Federation are introduced into the scientific circulation, the classification of the air defence systems and means of the Defence Forces of Ukraine, including those received by Ukraine within the framework of international military-technical assistance according to the principle of the phasing of acquisition and basic tactical and technical characteristics has been carried out. In the conclusions to the article, the effectiveness of the use of air attack means of the Russian Federation and the effectiveness of countering them by the Ukrainian air defence system, the intentions of the military and political leadership of the Russian Federation, and the chronology of air strikes, according to periodization and type are determined. The quantity of air defence complexes and means provided to Ukraine by the partner states and their impact on the conduct of hostilities are pointed out. Directions for strengthening Ukrainian air defence are outlined. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction Jet aircraft pilots are exposed to huge pressure variation during flight, which affect physiological functions as systems, such as the respiratory system. Objectives The objective of the present investigation was to evaluate inflammatory changes of paranasal sinuses of jet aircraft pilots before and after a jet aircraft training program, using multislice computed tomography (CT), in comparison with a group of nonairborne individuals with the same age, sex, and physical health conditions. A second objective of the present study was to assess the association between the ostiomeatal complex obstruction and its anatomical variations. Methods The study group consisted of 15 jet aircraft pilots participating in the training program. The control group consisted of 41 nonairborne young adults. The 15 fighter pilots were evaluated before initiating the training program and after their final approval for the presence of inflammatory paranasal sinus disease. The ostiomeatal complex anatomical variations and obstructions were analyzed in pilots after the training program. Results Jet aircraft pilots presented higher incidence of mucosal thickening in maxillary sinus and anterior ethmoid cells than controls. Prominent ethmoidal bulla showed significant association with obstruction of the osteomeatal complex. Conclusions Jet aircraft pilots present increased inflammatory disease when compared with nonairborne individuals. The presence of a prominent ethmoidal bulla is associated with ostiomeatal complex obstruction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Why is there greater gender parity for long-haul truck drivers, astronauts, and paleontologists than for women airline captains? This study uses a mixed-methods approach to examine the underlying causes of the gender imbalance in the United States aviation industry, in which only 3.6% of airline captains are women. Two polls and one survey gather data from professional pilots (N=1093) on their experience with stereotyping, gender bias, and allyship. Direct comments were analyzed to shed light on the results of the survey. Results suggest that contrary to prevailing perceptions, the persistent gender imbalance in the flight deck can largely be attributed to an ingrained and self-perpetuating negative culture cycle unique to the flight deck and a lack of allyship which affects the recruitment and retention of women pilots. Findings from self-identified male pilots (N=575) revealed that the majority of most potential allies are not participating in resolving the gender imbalance because they do not see it as their responsibility. The authors develop a model depicting this cycle and propose a novel system-level (s-frame) solution to fundamentally change the culture. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Density altitude (DA) plays a key role in flight safety because it helps pilots anticipate poor aircraft performance when temperatures are warmer than standard. In this study, a 30-year climatology of DA for the conterminous United States was created using the fifth-generation European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts atmospheric reanalysis of the global climate (ERA5) dataset applied to four separate DA-based, aircraft-performance rules-of-thumb for general aviation (GA) flight. The goal was to demonstrate a technique to create educational visualization tools showing the variation of operational flight impacts with both month and location. Four such parameters were chosen to show the technique's utility: take-off distance, landing distance, climb rate, and engine power, all of which were expressed as multipliers to be applied to the standard altitude values. The study provided results based on the 30-year (1981- 2020) July mean DA values as well as those based on the maximum daily values (worst case) at each grid point occurring during the months of June, July, and August during the same period. Results showed performance parameters tended to have the most variation in the east-west direction following terrain rather than the north-south direction following the solar insolation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) continues to promulgate Safety Management Systems (SMS) across aviation organizations when it recently issued SMS requirements for EASA certificated Part 145 maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) organizations and Part 21 Design & Manufacturing (D&M) organizations. Currently, the FAA has no such rule in place for these U.S. based organizations, which may challenge those doing business in countries where EASA policies apply. Given that most of the United States' D&M and MRO population is made up of smaller organizations, it is likely a U.S. SMS regulation will require justification of the associated costs and benefits. This study explored the potential benefits SMS may provide these organizations by exploring the overall scope and nature of safety controls implemented through Airworthiness Directives (AD), which may help safety practitioners better understand how SMS in D&M organizations may reduce the number of AD related corrective actions. Researchers analyzed a sample of 189 ADs issued over a ten-year period and found that approximately 55% of the sampled ADs were the result of a new risk control, and approximately 45% were the result of a revised risk control. In these cases, the risk controls were not sufficient, and the AD action was necessary to ensure an acceptable level of safety. More effective risk controls have the potential to significantly reduce the number of ADs the industry must address. Every AD involves unplanned costs, often at multiple levels, and other variables that must be managed and implemented as part of the aircraft maintenance and manufacturing process. SMS may further improve the industry's safety performance by reducing the number of corrective actions and their associated costs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of the study was to examine air traffic controllers’ perspectives on competency, performance, and training. Analysing data from 182 participants, the results revealed a strong focus on competency with the controllers actively evaluating their skills. Notably, the experienced controllers (19+ years) displayed a heightened commitment to continuous learning, reflected in their higher participation in individual training and perception of its value for their career goals and adaptation to the evolving aviation industry. Competency-based training programs also received positive feedback across experience levels, highlighting their potential effectiveness. Moreover, training was universally perceived as key to performance throughout careers. These results highlighted the importance of fostering a culture of continuous learning within air traffic control (ATC) communities. Aviation authorities can support this by providing diverse training opportunities, including individual and competency-based programs. Future research should continue investigating the impact of technological advancements and AI/machine learning on ATC competencies, the effectiveness of competency-based training programs, and the role of individual training in competency development, ultimately ensuring the vital role of air traffic controllers in aviation safety. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The success of each air medical transport mission is dependent on the coordinated efforts of communications specialists, aviation personnel, medical crew members, referring hospitals, local emergency medical services, and fire and law enforcement personnel. Expedited, efficient, and safe patient transport is made possible through the collaboration of all the aforementioned disciplines. In this specialized, unpredictable, and high-pressure environment, each entity plays its own crucial role in rapidly delivering critical care directly to the patient in need. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background. Long-haul flights have been associated with a two- to four-fold increased risk of aviation-related thrombosis (ART). Several studies have investigated the extent to which hypoxic hypobaric exposure, dehydration and prolonged immobilisation during air travel induce changes in haemostasis. Objective. To investigate the role of high altitude as a risk factor for ART. Methods. Healthy volunteers aged ≥18 years (N=40), without risk factors for venous thromboembolism, were exposed to an exacerbated altitude of 18 000 feet (5 486 m) for 1 hour. During the flight, the oxygen (O2) levels of the participants, who received supplemental O2, were measured by pulse oximetry and maintained at >92%. Venous blood and urine samples were collected prior to departure and immediately after flying in an unpressurised twin-engine airplane. D-dimer levels, thromboelastography (TEG) parameters, von Willebrand factor (VWF) activity and urine osmolality were measured. Results. The participants were 19 men and 21 women, with a mean (standard deviation) age of 46 (14) years. A significant difference in D-dimer levels, VWF activity, urine osmolality and TEG parameters (reaction (R) time, kinetic (K) time and maximum amplitude (MA)) before and after the 1-hour flight was observed (p

Aviation is undergoing significant sustainability issues, making energy efficiency and emissions concerns crucial. This paper examines the energy efficiency patterns of flights departing from 20 airports in Saudi Arabia from 2017 to 2021, considering the influence of the COVID-19 outbreak and the efficiency of the aviation industry. The study assesses energy efficiency by analyzing historical patterns, the hypothetical situation of what could happen in the absence of the COVID-19 pandemic, and the actual situation materialized within the Saudi aviation sector. The findings suggest that despite disruptive events, such as the pandemic and its management practice, aviation has improved its energy efficiency, with flights at some airports experiencing significant improvements due to effective management practices derived from changing previous conditions. This research contributes to the ongoing discourse concerning energy efficiency in aviation and supports the development of policies and measures to address energy and environmental-related challenges in the short and medium term.

The aviation industry faces an urgent need to adopt sustainable aviation fuels for significant decarbonization. Power-to-Liquid (PtL) fuel is considered a potential game changer, but questions remain about the wider economic impacts of introducing PtL fuel in the aviation sector. This paper examines the economic impacts of introducing PtL fuel blending quotas along with a price policy consisting of a kerosene tax and PtL fuel subsidies for the case of Germany. Based on a detailed supply chain analysis, we apply a social accounting matrix and a computable general equilibrium model to take into account both, the production and utilization perspectives of PtL jet fuel. Our results show that the influence of low blending quotas is mainly limited to the aviation sector, with a 10 % blending quota increasing consumer prices by 7.9 % and reducing aviation industry output by 3.1 %. When quota levels increase, however, the effects go beyond the air transport system. On inter-sectoral level, we identify three main patterns: First, industries that substantially contribute to the PtL fuel supply chain, such as metal products and electrical equipment, see increasing levels in both, domestic production, and imports. Second, aviation upstream industries like transport infrastructure and aircraft production see reduced domestic production and imports. Third, aviation downstream industries, such as delivery services and travel agencies, see substitution effects, where imports partly replace domestic output. Macroeconomic indicators are affected negatively by the quota scenarios, but the relative impact is low as the maximum decrease in the gross domestic product (GDP) does not exceed 0.35 %. PtL fuel production subsidies can largely mitigate the decrease in aviation demand but come at the cost of a stronger reduction in the GDP and government income. Moreover, the sensitivity analysis emphasizes that various assumptions and parameters, such as the cost projections of PtL fuel, import options, and elasticities of demand, affect the intensity of economic consequences. Our analysis implies the trade-offs of policymaking between sectoral and macroeconomic interests in the context of sustainable fuels. The main contribution of this study is the investigation of the broader economic effects resulting from the adoption of PtL fuels in aviation. In particular, the production as well as the utilization perspective are considered simultaneously in this study.

Purpose: In the aviation industry, safety is paramount, requiring airlines to obtain an air operator certificate and undergo regular risk assessments. Major airlines often use international organizations or consulting firms for these assessments, while low-cost and small aircraft operators face challenges due to high costs. In contrast, the maritime sector has comprehensive guidelines under the Maritime Safety Act, benefiting from safety diagnosis companies’ support. However, the aviation sector lacks detailed regulations and companies dedicated to safety diagnosis tasks, with only basic standards for aviation academic review institution personnel under the Airport Facilities Act. Methods: This study statistically analyzed 57 experts working in public institutions, research institutes, and academia, including airline employees, after conducting a survey on the necessity, method, and operation of the aviation consulting system. Results: As a result of the survey analysis, 96.6% of the respondents said the safety of the aviation industry as a whole could be improved by introducing a consulting system. Conclusion: Accordingly, it is proposed to introduce a private safety evaluation and consulting system to secure the safety of airlines, aircraft operators, and specialized educational institutions and to improve policy efficiency. This includes shortening the risk assessment period of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport and the necessity and scope of delegating safety-related tasks to private institutions.

Air travel market has changed significantly by the emergence of a lowcost carrier (LCC). The LCCs offer lower fares and fewer frills than the traditional full service carriers (FSCs). The key competitive advantage of the LCCs is their ability to offer significantly lower fares, or at least to create the image of offering lower fares, while being able to generate profits by having low unit costs. LCCs have reshaped the competitive environment within air travel markets and have made significant impacts in the domestic passenger markets, which had previously been largely controlled by FSCs. The new demand for air travel experience through the low fares of low-cost airlines increases the likelihood of choosing not only low-cost airlines but also existing large airlines when choosing air travel. This generally equates to the intention of customers to move to more advanced products as their experience with new products increases. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to theoretically discuss the operating characteristics and market ripple effects of low-cost airlines, and to explore the theoretical implications of existing papers.

The increasing diversity of multirotor unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) designs poses significant challenges in evaluating their flight characteristics and performance parameters. This is particularly true for commercially available UAVs whose control units do not provide users with data that could be used, for example, to estimate the operational and flight limits of the flight device itself. This study introduces the concept of a mountable device designed to track and assess the flight parameters of quadcopters, independent of the UAV’s systems. Specifically, it involves independent monitoring of rotations, flight speed, air pressure, temperature, and drone orientation in space. The device validation involved real flight tests with the IRIS+ quadcopter using the Pixhawk control system, whose data were taken as a benchmark for validation. To demonstrate the applicability and benefits of such a device, the study also created a concept of an operational envelope for the drone, i.e. dependence of thrust on weight, angle of attack and speed. This concept was created using robotic simulation in the Gazebo environment. In the simulations, the IRIS+ device was used to simulate flights with different payload weights (0.9–2.9 lb, approximately 0.4–1.3 kg) and twenty flight speeds (1–20 ms−1), while simultaneously monitoring the angle of attack and motor revolutions (subsequently converted to thrust). The created operational envelope was subsequently validated using data from real flights. The overall results demonstrated the successful validation of the designed device and the accuracy of the measurement of critical flight parameters, with rotation measurement errors ranging between 100–200 RPM, angle of attack error at 4.25°, and altitude measurement error based on pressure at 0.56 m. Additionally, within this concept, the measurement of indicated airspeed was introduced, reflecting the expected flight speed values. In the context of validating the operational envelope, the results showed that the parameters of real flights fell within the predicted area of the created operational envelope for the IRIS+ drone. Independent monitoring devices like this can benefit operational limit determination and other testing purposes, especially for UAVs lacking data-sharing control units.

Reinforcement learning (RL) has seen an uptick in research interest in recent years, with many papers published in a plethora of different fields, topics and applications. A lot of that can be attributed to the recent advancements in machine learning (ML) and deep learning (DL) as a whole, the power of deep neural networks and the incorporation of them into reinforcement learning algorithms and techniques. This marriage of deep neural networks and traditional reinforcement learning methods has enabled reinforcement learning algorithms to achieve incredible results in use-cases that were previously deemed to be too complex. One of these highly complex scenarios is the realm of flight. In the last few years the number of papers published in this field has increased dramatically, but there is a fairly big divide between two major categories (quadcopters vs. fixed-wing aircraft). There is published work focusing on reinforcement learning using quadcopters, also known as drones, and there is published work focusing on fixed-wing aircraft, the more traditional aircraft, commonly referred to as airplanes. This paper focuses on the latter and will give an overview over the current state of reinforcement learning in the field of fixed-wing aviation. It will look into available toolkits usable for research as well as give an overview of different fields and tasks within reinforcement learning for fixed-wing aircraft control tasks. It contributes by providing detailed information about the methodologies used in each paper, while pointing out each paper’s contributions as well. A total of 48 papers on fixed-wing RL and airplane control are discussed. With the main focus lying on papers published post 2015, after the publication of Mnih et al.’s impactful deep RL paper.