A series of fatal commercial aviation accidents starting in the 1970s led to the identification of thunderstorm-related wind shear as a critical hazard to aircraft takeoffs and landings. In aggregate, these accidents resulted in over 400 fatalities and pressured the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to develop effective warning technologies. In response, the aviation community invested in a...

The contents of this material reflect the views of the author and/or the Director of the Center for Advanced Aviation System Development (CAASD), and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) or the Department of Transportation (DOT). Neither the FAA nor the DOT makes any warranty or guarantee, or promise, expressed or implied, concerning the content or a...

Abstract Required Navigation Performance (RNP) procedures to closely-spaced parallel runways that include curved approach transitions afford many benefits such as reduced track miles, less fuel burn and emissions, and the potential for routings around noise sensitive areas. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) NextGen program plans to roll out “Established on RNP” (EoR) simultaneous approa...

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Human Factors Team − Atlantic City conducted a usability assessment of the www.fly.faa.gov Web site to examine user satisfaction and identify site usability issues. The FAA Air Traffic Control System Command Center uses this Web site to provide information about airport conditions, such as arrival and departure delays, to the public and the aviation ind...

For many Rice students, tomorrow will be their first chance to participate in a presidential election. Yet a large number of people are still undecided; and many don't wish to support any of the candidates that are running for the presidency of the United States. The campaign has dealt little with issues and specifics. More important have been the public images of each candidate, his views on m...

OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to extend previous examinations of aviation accidents to include specific aircrew, environmental, supervisory, and organizational factors associated with two types of commercial aviation (air carrier and commuter/ on-demand) accidents using the Human Factors Analysis and Classification System (HFACS). BACKGROUND HFACS is a theoretically based tool for inves...

As we become increasing dependent on GPS for many position, navigation, and time (PNT) applications, it becomes increasing important that we have an alternate means of obtaining those capabilities. This is especially important in critical applications such as aviation. As part of the ongoing Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Loran evaluation, the system is being assessed for its ability pro...

An aircraft (manned aircraft) may enter safely and legally into the US National Airspace System if and only if it has an airworthiness certificate complying with Federal Aviation Administration requirements. Although corresponding requirements, procedures and regulations for unmanned aircraft are in early development stages, they are expected to be similar to those set for manned aviation. This...

O n March 10, 2011, former First Lady Rosalynn Carter was the guest speaker for the 20th induction ceremony of the Georgia Women of Achievement at Wesleyan College in Macon, Georgia. No one was more appropriate for this role, as one of the three women inducted that day was her own mother-in-law, Lillian Gordy Carter, who passed away in 1983 at the age of 85. Both of my parents were born and rai...