Abstract This paper presents a recounting of the events that led to the first flight by Orville and Wilbur Wright, and how these brothers were able to succeed where many others had failed. The steps involved in the development and experiments at Kitty Hawk are outlined.
From the Paper "A new age in technology and human achievement dawned on a bitterly cold, windy December morning in 1903 at Kitty Hawk, North Carolina, as a self-propelled, heavier than air "flying-machine" called the Flyer took-off and remained air-borne for 12 seconds--a distance of just 37 meters (120 ft). The two young men who made this flight possible and redefined the boundaries of human achievement will forever be remembered by history. How did the Wright brothers achieve this remarkable feat is a fascinating story that has inspired generations of young people and aspiring inventors during the last hundred years. The story is the subject of this essay. While recounting the events that led to the first flight we will also discuss why the Wright brothers (who had not even finished high school) were able to succeed in an effort in which so many others, including many renowned scientists, had failed.
Wilbur and Orville's interest in flying objects dated back to the time in 1878 when their father, a minister of the Church who traveled often, presented a rubber band-powered flying toy to the boys. Wilbur recalled later: "Instead of falling to the floor, as we expected, it flew across the room till it struck the ceiling, where it fluttered awhile, and finally sank to the floor ... lasted only a short time".but its memory was abiding.? "
Abstract By using Southwest Airlines as a model, this paper establishes how essential it is for a company to have some form of culture or ethical guidline. It uses Geert Hofstede's "Four Dimension of Culture" theory to analyze the company and provides an overview of how the company's policies enable it to secure a top position in the industry.
From the Paper "Globalization has changed the way people do business today. Factors like strategies, resources or capacity to produce has become secondary to business agendas. Instead today businesses and businesspeople are more concerned with how they can achieve the maximum productivity and prosperity through alliances. These alliances often span far and wide, pilfering to foreign cultures. Often the alliances prove beneficial to the companies because of observation and approach companies take to deal with partner company's culture. On the other hand there are also cases where the alliances have resulted in losses because partner companies fail to understand each other's culture. For instance an American firm merging with a Japanese company will experience a shocking difference in social, economical and cultural environment. Before studying other's culture, one therefore has to observe one's own culture in order to detect what needs to be compromised or complimented when dealing with the business partners. The following is a study of Southwest Airlines, outlining their cultures and how they have incorporated it to achieve their business agendas using Geert Hofstede's Four Dimension of Culture."
Abstract This paper presents a detailed discussion about the ATC updated program. The ATC free flight program is examined with respect to its history, changes and current status. The program is evaluated in terms of its advantages and disadvantages and a speculation of possible problems in the implementation of the program is given. Recent research on the subject is also cited.
From the Paper "Currently there are tests going on all over the nation with the new ATC system for free flight. It is based on software programs that allow the pilot more input as to his or her route and takes a lot of the work and stress off of the air traffic controllers who use to have to coordinate every change and every flight ."
The paper looks at the success of low cost carriers such as JetBlue Airways and Southwest Airlines in the light of the current financial dilemmas affecting the major North American network of carriers.
Abstract The paper analyzes how successful airlines like Southwest, JetBlue and the other low cost carriers have basically kept their costs down and satisfied the consumer demand for reasonably priced airline travel while maintaining consistent profits. The paper explores the significant factors that keep the major airlines in debt. The paper concludes that the major airlines need to make drastic changes, such as control costs and capacity, in order to overcome their financial predicaments.
Table of Contents
Problem Statement
Significance of the Study
Assumptions
Limitations
Review of Relevant Literature and Research
Research of Airline Industry Stocks
Jet Blue and Southwest Population
Results
Discussion in regard to 9-11
Conclusions
Recommendations
References
From the Paper "Moving into the twenty-first century, commercial aviation has been on a steady decline. Profits have dried up and overall passenger travel miles are down. To make matters worse, the lingering effects of September 11, 2001 have almost completely ruined the entire commercial aviation industry. United Airlines is in the brink of nearly shutting its doors forever. American Airlines, Continental, Delta, US Airways, American West and Northwest all are experiencing their worst financial difficulties in their corporate histories."
Tags: traffic, growth, aircrafts, business, industry
Abstract After the devastating effects of September 11th, airline and airport security are paramount to most American travelers. The paper begins with a brief history of aviation security before examining what the American government is doing to enhance security today. The paper examines what the Federal Grant Program to Strengthen Aircraft Security entails and addresses additional changes such as the take-over of airport security by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA).
From the Paper "So why was airport security so poor and why has it been under constant scrutiny by the public and the FAA? Even before the terrorist attacks on September 11th, the airport security industry was troubled. Airport security companies were forced to work under a vicious cycle of economic forces that it could not control. Airlines, in order to save money, have commonly gone with the lowest bidder. In order to win these contracts, security companies paid a lower wage to its employees. Sometimes the old adage of you get what you pay for is true. Security staff workers at airports received little training and had limited backgrounds in the field of security. Most had no security background at all. (Boyne) This type of inert protection may have worked well in the 1970's when threat of a non-violent, non-suicidal hijacker with a metal weapon was involved."
Abstract This paper presents an evaluation of the Boeing company. The paper analyzes the company's fundamentals and the performance of comparables, as well as market performance. As well, the paper provides a projection of future revenues along with an estimation of the cost of capital with which Boeing produces its airplanes. The analysis takes into account all four areas of Boeing's production: Commercial Airplanes, Military Aircraft and Missile Systems, Space and Communications and Boeing Capital Corporation.
From the Paper "Despite the predictions of nay-sayers, Boeing provides a great amount of stability to investors. Based on the prospective cash flows, which can easily be predicted as orders for new construction are signed years in advance, Boeing has a stable future. However, the prospect of new wars should be considered in the context of a scenario analysis. In the case that America commits itself to a series of wars that limit the ability of the commercial economy to support international travel, Boeing's production of commercial jets will suffer at the same time that it gains new contracts for military aircraft and weapons."
Abstract A paper on airport security, examining the roles played by the public administrator, airport managers, airlines and security firms. The paper further considers the sources of poor security performance in the poor training and low wages of security and security-related personnel.
Abstract This paper presents a detailed exploration of the supply chain management practices of the United States Air Force. The writer examines the method of meeting supply demand and the management of that demand. The writer uses several sources, including congressional testimony, to illustrate the topic and argue that it is a good system that should be continued as recommended in the congressional testimony.
From the Paper "All sectors of business use a supply chain man agement system to develop and handle the supply needs of the company. The United States Air Force for business purposes is one of the largest companies in the United States and as such as an immense organization it is vital that the management of the supply chain run as smoothly and effectively as possible. The current method of supply chain management works well and utilizes many business strategies that are common to the private sector. While there is room for improvement in any organization I believe the Air Force supply chain management is an effective and valuable system."
Abstract This paper discusses how, like most tragic or unusual events in history, the 1986 NASA Challenger explosion offers a hindsight perspective of what "went wrong" and what "should have been done" to prevent the loss of lives.
From the Paper "The United States? government, NASA officials, airspace scientists, engineers, educators, public interest groups, and the media alike, immediately jumped on the band wagon to explain the events that led up to the tragedy. President Reagan initiated an independent commission to investigate all of the parties involved, while NASA, the media, and the scientific community pointed fingers, called names, and "explained away" with great political finesse the behavior and choices that ultimately led to explosion. Very much like the Salem Witch Hunt Trials, people were questioned and re-questioned concerning their thoughts and actions. Reporters, academicians, social scientists, culturalists, authors, and even, folk song writers, seized the moment to "glean and explain" the events and the ?lessons learned.? The author, Diane Vaughan, is one of many, who attempted to offer, for a nominal fee of $20+ tax per copy, a "cultural-contextual" explanation of people's thoughts and behavior before and after the explosion. Based on the reading of Dr. Vaughan's book as well as a review of other articles and reports, below is an outline of some of the "lessons learned" from the Challenger accident."
Abstract An overview of the business and marketing strategies of Southwest Airlines in the current market. The paper explains what methods and strategies are needed in order for the airline to be able to compete in the industry.
From the Paper "Southwest's strategy of the lowest possible fare and a fun experience has made the airline stand out among its competitors from day one. Key to Southwest's success, however, has been its prowess in keeping its costs low. The airline manages this through consciously adopting a strategy of: operating only shorthaul, high frequency, point-to-point flights; minimum aircraft turn around time; commonality in fleet (Boeing 737s); employee team work; and avoiding congested airports, hub-and-spoke models and interline agreements. By adopting such a strategy, Southwest is able to generate more revenues through flying its aircraft more, lowering unit costs per flight, and operating with reduced number of personnel (Freiberg, 1998, p.48-64). All in all, Southwest's innovative business model has significantly contributed to the advancement of the commercial airline industry by making air travel more affordable and thereby expanding the market. Further, it has also proven that it is possible for an airline to be profitable year after year in an industry, which is known to go through periodic cycles of boom and recession. "
Abstract This paper provides a brief overview of the "free flight" system of air traffic control and compares it with the present air traffic control system. The paper also describes the limitations of the current air traffic system and then goes on to explain how the 'free flight' system promises efficiency and profitability for the airline industry.
From the Paper "With more than 50,000 flights taking to the skies everyday the present US air traffic control system places increasing strain on the control room staff who have the responsibility of tracking, guiding and directing the pilots. Under the current system, the air traffic controllers resolve conflicts in airspace using radar signals and regulating traffic by means of adjusting the altitude and speed limit of the different flights. As James Coyne, president of the National Air Transportation Association, says, ?All of the information that flows to and from a pilot today in virtually all aircraft is done on a strictly single-voice channel, back and forth, with human beings actually saying all the words live. As anyone can imagine, that is an extremely inefficient way to convey data." [Jacques Leslie] Pilots are dependent upon the instructions from the control room to avoid conflicts and disaster in airspace. Once the aircraft is cleared by the departure controller and left the TRACON (terminal radar control) airspace, it is monitored enroute by the personnel in the ARTCC (Air Route Traffic Control Center) who continue to provide the pilots with the traffic, altitude and speed instructions. [Craig C. Freudenrich Ph.D] For most airways however, the stipulated altitude, route and speed restrictions do not contribute to optimal efficiency."
Tags: deregulation, satellite, technology, navigation, equipments, radars, aviation, communication
Abstract This paper provides a general explanation of deregulation and then examines directly the Airline Deregulation Act of 1978. From there, the paper explores the effects the Act has had on the airline industry and how it affects the way the industry operates in the current environment.
From the Paper "One of the most significant events in the air transportation industry was the Airline Deregulation Act of 1978. This paper will review what deregulation, in general is, and then move specifically to the Airline Deregulation Act of 1978. From there, this paper will explore what effects the Act has had on the industry. By understanding these concepts, one can better understand the environment the industry now operates in, and how far it has come."
Tags: removes, regulations, businesses, encourage, governmental, control, passenger, transport
Abstract A major expense of operating any aircraft is maintenance expense. In commercial and business aviation, the costs go far beyond the immediate costs of direct labor and materials. This paper examines how the critical nature of maintenance planning and advanced software technology potentials have combined to create many types of software options for automated maintenance scheduling. It looks at how maintenance planning software can reduce maintenance costs and prevent loss of revenue and how operators are forging "off the shelf" programs into individualized solutions.
Outline
Abstract
Direct Effects of Poor Maintenance Planning
Indirect Effects of Poor Maintenance Planning
Software Solutions
Conclusion
References
From the Paper "The obvious consequences of poor maintenance planning are flight safety failures. One infamous incident involved the January 2000 crash of Alaska Airlines Flight 261 into the Pacific Ocean when a crucial flight control part failed. It was later determined by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) that the part, a jackscrew controlling the horizontal stabilizer, failed due to lack of lubrication. The NTSB ruled not only that failure was due to poor maintenance practices of Alaska Airlines but also blamed the Federal Administration Agency (FAA) for lack of oversight. (Wallace, 2006) Alaska Airlines improved their maintenance procedures and the FAA issued additional requirements for the jackscrew inspection intervals."
Abstract This paper explains the theory of oligopoly and discusses how Australia's airline industry provides a solid example of an oligopoly market. It uses case studies of Qantas, Virgin and Tiger airlines to demonstrate how all need to employ profit-maximising strategies that take into account the likely response to the strategies of other firms.
Outline:
Introduction
Case Study
From the Paper "The combined profits of firms in an oligopoly can be maximised if they act together as a monopolist. Under "normal" conditions it is expected that firms in an oligopoly will collaborate to produce the optimal conditions for themselves. This leads to a practice known as price-fixing, whereby business competitors agree to sell a virtually homogenous product at the same price. The agreement itself is known as a cartel. Since the practice is anti-competitive, and economically inefficient according to neo-classical economics, it is illegal under the Trade Practices Act and has been the subject of a recent scandal in the airline industry worldwide."
