Thunderstorms 

"A thunderstorm makes its way through three distinct stages before dissipating. It begins with the cumulus stage, in which lifting action of the air begins. If sufficient moisture
and instability are present, the clouds continue to increase in vertical height. Continuous, strong updrafts prohibit moisture from falling. Within approximately 15 minutes, the thunderstorm reaches the mature stage, which is the most violent time period of the thunderstorm’s life cycle. At this point, drops of moisture, whether rain or ice, are too heavy for the cloud to support and begin falling in the form of rain or hail. This creates a downward motion of the air. Warm, rising air; cool, precipitation-induced descending air; and violent turbulence all exist within and near the cloud. Below the cloud, the down-rushing air increases surface winds and decreases the temperature. Once the vertical motion near the top of the cloud slows down, the top of the cloud spreads out and takes on an anvil-like shape. At this point, the storm enters the dissipating stage. This is when the downdrafts spread out and replace the updrafts needed to sustain the storm" (Pilot’s Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge, 2020). 
I chose thunderstorms not for the lighting, since most aircraft have some type of protection built in the wing to include lighting wicks at the trailing edges of wings and rudder. I chose thunderstorms for the turbulence and hail that is created by the storm. "Flying under thunderstorms can subject aircraft to rain, hail, damaging lightning, and violent turbulence" (Pilot’s Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge, 2020). 

References 

“Pilot’s Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge.” Template. Accessed January 21, 2020. https://www.faa.gov/regulations_policies/handbooks_manuals/aviation/phak/.

Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast Comparison and Contrast to Radar Systems in Support of Air Traffic Control

Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B) is part of the F.A.A. next gen new technology that is designed to assist air traffic controllers in providing more accurate aircraft location to assist in better aircraft separation. "ADS-B functions with satellite rather than radar technology to more accurately observe and track air traffic. Aircraft equipped with an ADS-B Out transmitter send their position, altitude, heading, ground speed, vertical speed, call sign, and International Civil Aviation Organization identifier to a network of ground stations that relays the information to air traffic control displays. Pilots of aircraft equipped with a receiver for optional ADS-B In also receive traffic information and can experience several other benefits. Aircraft operating in most controlled U.S. airspace must be equipped for ADS-B Out by January 1, 2020" (New Technology, 2020).

"Compared to radar, which was authorized for its first civilian use in 1947, ADS-B gives controllers a more accurate picture of all the aircraft in their airspace and works where radar often doesn't — even in remote or mountainous areas. With a better view of the traffic they are managing, controllers can eliminate wasted space between aircraft, which increases airspace capacity and decreases the need for holding patterns"(NextGen-FAQ,2020). Radar is an outdated technology. I think it should definitely remain as a backup for the ADS-B, yet the ADS-B provides a much more accurate location for the air traffic controller, which in turns provides a safer airspace.  

References 

“NextGen – FAQs.” Accessed January 14, 2020. https://www.faa.gov/nextgen/faqs/#q21.

“New Technology.” Accessed January 14, 2020. https://www.faa.gov/nextgen/how_nextgen_works/new_technology/.

Wildlife Strikes 

"During the past century, wildlife-aircraft strikes have resulted in the loss of hundreds of lives worldwide, as well as billions of dollars in aircraft damage" (Wildlife Hazard Mitigation, 2020). "The number of wildlife strikes reported per year to the FAA increased steadily from about 1,800 in 1990 to 16,000 in 2018"(FAA,2020). 

"Animals are attracted to areas that reflect their natural habitat and provide basic living needs such as food and water" (FAA, 2020). The goal over the years is to provide an environment that is unattractive to animals. Which if you look at the layout of most airports that's almost impossible. Most airports make the areas attractive for passengers and in the process make the landscape very attractive for animals. 

My thought is if you brought in a predator, the top of the food chain, it would disperse the animal population from that area. They did this in my old hunting grounds in Montana. They reintroduced the wolves and the elk herds were thinned and completely removed from certain areas. The fencing around the airport for security takes care of most mammals. that for the most part leaves birds. The money savings would be massive in no longer requiring a constant upkeep of making the airport unattractive to wildlife and the reduction in bird strikes would be a massive cost savings for the operators.

References 

“Wildlife Hazard Mitigation.” Template. Accessed January 7, 2020. https://www.faa.gov/airports/airport_safety/wildlife/.

“FAA Wildlife Strike Database.” Accessed January 7, 2020. https://wildlife.faa.gov/home.

14 CFR 43.13 

14 CFR 43.13 states that you will maintenance per the manufacturers maintenance manual, ICA, or data approved by the administrator. It also states that you will use the tools and test equipment required to perform the maintenance task correctly."(a) Each person performing maintenance, alteration, or preventive maintenance on an aircraft, engine, propeller, or appliance shall use the methods, techniques, and practices prescribed in the current manufacturer's maintenance manual or Instructions for Continued Airworthiness prepared by its manufacturer, or other methods, techniques, and practices acceptable to the Administrator, except as noted in § 43.16. He shall use the tools, equipment, and test apparatus necessary to assure completion of the work in accordance with accepted industry practices. If special equipment or test apparatus is recommended by the manufacturer involved, he must use that equipment or apparatus or its equivalent acceptable to the Administrator.(b) Each person maintaining or altering, or performing preventive maintenance, shall do that work in such a manner and use materials of such a quality, that the condition of the aircraft, airframe, aircraft engine, propeller, or appliance worked on will be at least equal to its original or properly altered condition (with regard to aerodynamic function, structural strength, resistance to vibration and deterioration, and other qualities affecting airworthiness)" (FAR AMT, 2001). 

This regulation is critical due to it stating you will do maintenance correctly. Unfortunately in aviation there have been technicians who for whatever reason have thought they knew how to perform maintenance better than the manufacturer and it has cost people their lives. This regulation has been critical in stating in black and white this is how you will do aviation maintenance. It has come with consequences and if you do not follow the rules you will deal with the consequences. Still today after all the years of accidents, there are technicians out there who think they have a better way to perform maintenance. This regulation has been instrumental in preventing poor maintenance on a large scale.  

Reference 

FAR AMT 14 CFR 43.13 (2001)

"To ensure a federal focus on aviation safety, President Franklin Roosevelt signed the Civil Aeronautics Act in 1938. The legislation established the independent Civil Aeronautics Authority (CAA), with a three-member Air Safety Board that would conduct accident investigations and recommend ways of preventing accidents. The legislation also expanded the government's role in civil aviation by giving CAA power to regulate airline fares and determine the routes individual carriers served. In 1940, President Roosevelt split the CAA into two agencies, the Civil Aeronautics Administration, which went back to the Department of Commerce, and the Civil Aeronautics Board (CAB). The offshoot of the original CAA retained responsibility for ATC, airman and aircraft certification, safety enforcement, and airway development. CAB responsibilities included safety rule making, accident investigation, and economic regulation of the airlines" (FAA,2017)



That I would say was one of the most important pieces of legislation in aviation history. It was the beginning of the FAA. Now for those who have dealt with the FAA over the years may have some unkind words, but look at it from the view of the whole picture. With the FAA's introduction and regulations put in place, it has made it a safer industry. It was no longer just do what you want and yes I know that still continues today, yet it is limited with a consequence of incarceration if you are caught. Yes we have all had bad and hopefully good FAA inspectors, but every where you go you will run into it.

Dirty Dozen 

The activity I have chosen for a team to perform is an engine change. The scenario, which is a real life scenario, the aircraft is needed the next day to make a flight and you are installing the engine. There is so many human factors that play into this scenario but I just want to touch on one that I have experienced. Human factors is a situation of life that distracts physically or emotionally from the job at hand and can lead to you making a poor decision. The owner in this scenario who will be called MR. A has come down and said he doesn't care what it takes the aircraft must be ready by tomorrow, the pressure is on now. 

"Communication, written, verbal, and nonverbal other than written" (Johnson, 2016). I know that all human factors can intertwine with each other, yet I think communication is a large umbrella that en-captures most of the human factors issues. Pressure can come from how your boss communicated too the norms are communicated and can be accepted as tribal knowledge. 

Lack of communication plays an obvious vital role in aircraft maintenance. Communication can change due to slang and sometimes even education. For example while installing an engine you are about to hit something vital and possibly cause damage, You say stop, or maybe whoa, and even hold on. They all mean the same essentially yet the hoist operator may not stop. In my scenario I believe I said holdup and the operator didn't  and I now have an accessory gearbox jammed into the engine mount. 

What I learned from this experience is when working on a team insure you brief your teammates with a word that will halt the operation. If your not the one in charge then ask to clarify the proper commands giving during the maintenance operation you are performing. 

References 

Johnson, W. B.(2016). Aviation MX Human Factors. Volume 4, Issue 2.

Smuggling Explosives On-board Airlines 

I chose smuggling explosives on-board airlines because of my experiences in Hawaii with the K-9's. At the Kona airport I had the opportunity to meet the explosives dog that would patrol the airport in the morning. It was a great experience for me, because she always remembered me. I would see her in the morning and I would pet her and she would give me kisses and lay on my lap till she had to go back to work. The other experience I had was in the Oahu airport. While in line before you enter the security checkpoint there is an area you pass where there is a K-9 that patrols back and forth. Its amazing their sense of smell, because one of the times I was waiting in line the dog hit on someones carry on and the handler waited for probably 5-10 minutes then a few officers showed up in SWAT gear and they were escorted off. I don't know  what was in their bags, but the K-9's are doing their part to keeping us safe. I know they have screening for bags and the X-ray machine and spot checks for explosives to provide even more layers of safety to mitigate the threat, yet I have been in many airports without the K-9 presence. If I was to make a suggestion I would say increase the K-9 presence because they are invaluable with their contributions. 

From the ATF Website "ATF Explosives Detection Canines are certified and trained by ATF to find explosives and firearms-related evidence. The K-9's nose is a major asset, making them capable of detecting up to 19,000 explosives combinations. A major advantage in using the K-9 is their mobility. Their duties include working side by side with Federal agents and local police officers to seek out explosives, guns and spent ammunition evidence in violent crime investigations. In addition, they secure major public events, schools, and Federal buildings, worldwide by searching for explosives in the areas"