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."
Abstract This case study examines the express mail industry through a look at the three major firms. It presents an overview of Federal Express, United Parcel Services and Airborne Freight, and discusses competition in the industry. It addresses Airborne Freight's current position in the market and offers suggestions for how the company can strengthen and sustain their competitive position.
Table of Contents
Five Forces Analysis
Positioning Analysis
Cost Driver Discussion
Value-Chain Analysis
Discussion on Questions/Issues
Bibliography
From the Paper "In 1971, Federal Express pioneered the idea to take the time-sensitive packages and letters of customers and have them delivered safely and punctually to anyone, anywhere in the world. Its orchestrated transportation modes and the ability to track the whereabouts of packages from any place in the world, truly "made the world small." The market acceptance of this new package delivery concept lead to a number of firms entering the market, but dwindling down to three major contenders. The major competitors in this industry are defined as Federal Express, the pioneer in the express package industry; UPS who was shook from its slumber by the success of Federal Express in the 1980's and 1990's and Airborne Freight that successfully moved into the express mail industry after numerous years in the perishable delivery business. FedEx has worked at a fast pace to stay ahead of its competitors and since UPS joined the express business in 1982 it has leverage its huge profits from their non-express ground business to subsidize their competition. Because of the stiff price competition, the express market has become much more price sensitive."
Abstract This paper details a brief history of boron composites from its earliest applications to recent developments. It studies the application of boron in composite epoxies and fibers and the use of these materials in airframe manufacturing. It includes figures showing usage of Boron composite. It concludes that boron has been very successful in aircraft manufacturing if the costs can be brought down.
From the Paper "Compounds of boron, most notably from unfinished borax ore, known as Tincal, were exported from Tibet in olden times. Historically, boron has been used for refining gold and silver in Arabia, ceramic glazes in China, and embalming in Egypt.
"Boric acid, a mild antiseptic, was isolated in the laboratory by chemistry professor William Homberg in 1720. Sir Humphrey Davy, a British chemist, and two French chemists, Joseph Gay-Lussac and Baron Louis Th?nard, discovered the element, boron, in 1808 concurrently. However, it took another 155 years before science turned its focus from borax to boron, and began to reveal the secrets of this mysterious and valuable element."
Abstract This paper states that the field of aerodynamics could not exist without calculus. The author discusses the most prevalent and widely used equations. The advent of the computer has greatly improved the use of these equations in the field and allowed the field of aerodynamics to become more precise.
Table of Contents
Introduction
The Myth about Bumblebee Flight
Turbulence
The Bermouli Equation
Continuity Equation
Navier-Stokes Equations
Conclusion
From the Paper "Math is the language of science. The different disciplines of math relate to different areas of science. Science needs math in order to be understood. Algebra allows us to create sentences using numbers to describe an event. Geometry and Trigonometry help us to describe shapes, and Calculus is the tool for describing change. It can be a change in angles as in vector calculus, a change in rate, a change in speed, or almost any other change."
Abstract The following paper discusses how there is no one aspect that stands out as a single determining factor of price per passenger or per flight. The writer examines how the air carriers act with the interest of maximizing revenue, whether that maximization occurs over time or with each flight. The condition of the company itself is also a major consideration in how the price analysts approach their job, which is also discussed in this paper.
From the Paper "Is the company struggling on the brink of or within bankruptcy? Do they need to break even or come out far ahead of their competition in the market? Also, the conditions of airports themselves can be a determining factor, especially in the long run: ?failure to expand capacity (of airports) will result in spilled demand and place an upward pressure on prices,? ("Economics FAQs"). Because major hubs are experiencing a vast increase in air traffic, the resulting delays and decreased quality of service adversely affects demand. Decreased demand implies an increase in prices to compensate for lack of revenue. The Law of Demand is probably the key factor in determining price of air travel; its ancillary clauses including Demand Elasticity are also primary factors. Finally, we must consider the day-to-day decisions made by the airlines to determine what price changes to put into effect. These day-to-day tactics, described in Wells, involve the different fare levels and rules and restrictions placed on tickets. Significant variables influencing these decisions include peak/off peak seasons and other load-determining factors."
From the Paper "American Airlines
Executive Summary
American Airlines has been a leading US airline since the 1930s. It was a pioneer in the passenger air travel business with the advent of the then-revolutionary DC-3, for which its president, C.R. Smith, made the specifications. After that, American grew and prospered generally, until airline deregulation in the US in the 1980s. Since then, especially in the 1990s, the firm has experienced significant problems in coping with the new environment of increased competition and the consequent need to minimize fares and costs. The company's high wage structure and the strong unions for pilots and flight attendants have led to labor strife through this decade, culminating in a costly strike by flight attendants in 1993 and a threatened strike by pilots in.."
From the Paper " The U.S. airline industry was deregulated de facto by the policies of the Civil Aeronautics Board from 1976 to 1978, and, subsequently, de jure by Congress with the Airline Deregulation Act of 1978, based on the rationale that market forces would provide the impetus for increased and sustained competition between carriers, which would further translate into vastly improved quality and quantity of service for the consumer, and at significantly lower cost--a process known as contestability theory. According to Borenstein, for many economists, however, deregulation was simply the rejection of some 50 years of "incredibly inefficient regulation" (53).
The Carter administration actively promoted the deregulation of the airline industry as it had the trucking industry and financial institutions. The Reagan administration's approach to.."
Abstract The CRM (Cockpit Resource Management) concept is an outcome of the work of a group of human factors practitioners in the United States in the analysis of, and response to, "crew-caused" air transport crashes and other incidents. This paper presents a discussion of cockpit resource management (CRM). Some years ago, several major airlines implemented official cockpit resource management (CRM) programs. The paper shows that the implementation of these programs was motivated by desires to improve the safety of in-flight operations. Eventually, program objectives were expanded to include the efficient use of resources available to in-flight crews.
Table of Contents:
Analytical Exposition
Derivation of CRM
Opposition to CRM
CRM and Flight Crew Behavior
Response of Airline Management
The Objective of CRM
CRM and the Team Concept
Critical Context
Team-Based Organization
Implementing Team-Based Organization
Self-Managed Teams
Socio-Technical Systems
Assessing STS
Applying STS
Applying CRM at Continental Airlines
Integrative Conclusion
CRM Outcomes
CRM and the Future
Enhanced Personal Awareness
Bibliography
From the Paper "CRM is designed to enhance management practices in the event of emergency. A variation on the CRM concept is the crew resource management approach, which includes in-flight personnel other than those personnel who perform their functions in the cockpit of the aircraft. CRM controls the division of responsibilities during a flight. CRM can be interpreted broadly to include the relationship between the pilot and the machinery as well as among the flight crew members. Although CRM is commonly thought of as coordination between or among multi-pilot crews, in its larger sense it is much more than that activity. CRM encompasses the interpersonal relationship between a pilot and her or his passengers and between a pilot and the air traffic control (ATC) personnel with whom he or she deals. In its broadest sense, CRM refers not only to the interaction between human beings, but also the interaction of a pilot with the technology of the aircraft."
Abstract By the year 2005, more than 60 percent of the American workforce will be women. However, the questions remain: What part of that percentage will be managers? And, does the "glass ceiling" really exist?To determine if the "glass ceiling" is, indeed, real, this analysis focuses on that question. The paper examines one industry -- commercial airlines and examines the role of women at Delta Airlines in the United States and Air France in France.
From the Paper "It is apparent that the lack of women in senior management positions in both airlines is a confirmation of Adler and Izraeli's 1988 seminal study that detailed corporate opinions of dealing with the two contrasting views of male-female management "equity," assuming a similarity between male and female contributions, and ?complementary contribution," assuming a noted difference between male and female management contributions. The challenge, say the authors, is for the corporation to strive to recognize the value of these differences (Adler & Izraeli, 1988)."
Tags: discrimination, Joan, Juliet, Buck, Sharon, I., Wibbem
Abstract Since the horrific events of September 11, 2001, there has been a great deal of debate on whether or not airline pilots should be armed in the cockpit. With the U.S. waging a global war on terrorism, it may be possible that terrorists will retaliate against the U.S., and they may use airliners again. This paper argues in favor of allowing airline pilots to be armed in the cockpit. This paper covers both sides of the argument and presents unbiased views, as well. Quotes from U.S. Congressmen also included in the paper.
From the Paper "Another argument in favor of arming pilots is that they are, psychologically, among the most highly trained and level-headed professionals in the world. They are accustomed to making critical ? and sometimes life-saving ? decisions in a split second, so arming them would make sense, according to the APSA. In addition, Senator Zell Miller (D-Ga.) strongly supports passing an amendment in favor of pilots carrying guns. Senator Miller believes it is logical to allow pilots to be armed. Senator Miller stated, "Will someone please explain to me the logic that says we can trust someone with a Boeing 747 in bad weather, but not with a Glock 9 millimeter"? (Sen. Miller, Chicago Tribune)"
Abstract This paper explains the various techniques used by aircraft accident investigating teams today. The writer explains the technical terms for the layman, which include accident scene photography, metallurgy, fluid analysis of fuels and oils, fire investigation in flight or on the ground occurrence, human factors, flight deck design, appropriate degree of automation, automatic overwing exit, human forensics and pathology, and flight data recorders.
From the Paper "Aviation accident and incidents are extremely painful and expensive for the aviation industry. This is why the aviation industry has investigative engineers who hold the responsibility of investigating accidents by reviewing and identifying the primary cause of the accident, whether it was related to aircraft performance such as, aerodynamics, engines, electrics, hydraulics, or if it was environmental or simply human error.
Investigating aircraft accidents can be extremely complex, sometimes taking many months to figure out the cause of the whole accident. So for the purpose of this task, there are engineers who often collaborate to work in teams in conducting the investigations. Primarily they are solely responsible licensed Professional Engineers, hired by the FAA Air Transport."
Abstract This paper explores the extent to which US Airways was affected by the events of September 11 and the restructuring strategies it has begun to implement in an attempt to recover from bankruptcy and economic ruin. The reasons for the airline's economic decline are stated, and the measures implemented in order to improve liquidity, increase revenues, and reduce costs, while simultaneously taking advantage of competitive strengths are outlined, as well.
From the Paper "One of the principal certified air carriers in the US for transport of passengers, property and mail is US Airways. They have a code sharing arrangement with nine other air carriers to operate under the joint trade name "US Airways Express". These airlines include Allegheny, piedmont, PSA and Potomac. This airline serves nearly 200 cities in the US, Canada, Mexico, Europe and the Caribbean and is the 7th largest airline in the United States. The airline filed for bankruptcy protection on August 11th, 2002 and was the first among the airlines to seek bankruptcy protection. This was the first filing of bankruptcy protection by a major airline since the attacks of September 11th. Of course, the attack of September 11th has triggered a financial crisis in the entire industry."
Abstract This paper analyzes Chapters 6 and 7 of the "Columbia Accident Investigation Board Report". Specifically, it discusses the issues that surfaceed about NASA and its organization and answers the question: If you were designing a new organization to change the core processes what would be your priorities for change? It examines how the National Air and Space Agency (NASA) ultimately is a business organization, just like any other, and how it faces the same funding issues, internal power struggles, and management concerns that any other business faces.
From the Paper "The need for change in the organization is clear, and the priorities need to be established and followed. Clearly, the first priority should be either a general housecleaning in management, or at least a re-evaluation of the current management mission, and how it must contribute to change and safety, rather than deadlines and appearances. The second priority must be communication, because the communication streams are flawed, and it seems some staff are afraid to communicate concerns or problems. It also seems budgetary concerns are also a major issue with NASA. These concerns must be addressed, but they should never come ahead of Shuttle safety, and it seems from the start, they have."
