Abstract This paper examines technological disasters in the airline industry. In particular it looks at the British jet aircraft industry after the accidents. It allows us to gain insight into what people's conceptions were, and why certain events unfolded as they did. It shows us how people can learn from technological disasters, and even though they seem catastrophic at the time, they give us the necessary tools to insure that such disasters do not happen again.
From the paper:
"The Comet planes, operated predominantly by BOAC had established Britain as both a successful pioneer and leader in civil jet aviation. However, several American companies, including Boeing, were in hot pursuit of de-Havilland, fighting for their share of the new civil jet market. ?The Comets symbolized to Britons their nation's pre-eminence in jet aviation,? 5 and so the accidents came as a devastating blow, both in the short and long term. In the aftermath of the accidents, all Comets were grounded pending investigation, causing huge problems and losses."
Abstract This paper examines a model disaster plan for a small regional airport. The paper explains why the Federal Aviation Authority is encouraging travelers to use regional airports and discusses how important it is for even small facilities to have practical and working disaster plans. The author points this out in light of the 9/11 terrorist attack. The role of various staff members of the airport is highlighted in the paper. The paper includes an appendix of airport safety procedures.
Outline:
Abstract
Statement of Problem
Disasters Included/Excluded from Consideration
Rationale for Included/Excluded Disasters Personnel and Their Duties: Authority and Responsibility
Personnel Internal and Response Team
Interfaces to Persons both Internal and External to Your Operation
Response Plan and Procedures
Scenario of Events
Fire/Chemical/ Biohazard Threat or Spill
Weather or Natural Disaster Concerns
Regional Power Failure
Earthquake
Tornado
On-site Medical Emergency
In-Flight Emergencies
Terrorist Activity/Security Violations
Requirements for Response Team Activities
Communication and Documentation
References to Supporting Literature
Appendix 1 (recommendations of pre-flight responsibilities including legal and suggested by Willamette Aviation)
Pilot Responsibilities Checklist/ Violation of which will require review and potential suspension of flight privileges:
From the Paper "Disasters that are likely to occur include natural disasters such as regional, onsite or aircraft fires and or collisions, power failure, individual medical emergencies (including one or more people) floods, earthquakes, heavy winds and biochemical and or chemical hazards, such as spills are included as well as those that must be accounted for but are less likely to occur such as hijacking, terrorist attack and or infiltration or intentional biochemical or chemical attacks either originating at this airport or as an attack on it."
Abstract This paper addresses the subject of business ethics in the field of aviation, as well as emphasizes the effects of September 11 on the aviation industry. Through discussing the responsibilities each part of the aviation industry has toward air travel, this paper provides a clear analysis of why enhanced business ethics concerning safety and security are of utmost importance. The paper compares security features before September 11 with those after the tragedy, in an effort to determine how they have improved and what they are still lacking. In addition, it discusses the rights of aviation employees, shareholders and passengers to determine which security and business procedures are safe and which are invasive.
From the Paper "Prior to Sept. 11, the Air Transport Association, a representative for major airlines, and the Regional Airline Association, a trade group for smaller carriers, published the main security guide for airlines. This Checkpoint Operations Guide was designed to implement Federal Aviation Administration security regulations.
However, prohibiting box cutters on airplanes was an industry requirement, not a government one. The FAA actually allowed airline passengers to carry blades less than four inches long before Sept. 11.
However, airlines often did not invest the time or money before Sept. 11 to check passengers completely. In addition, according to Rep. John Mica, chairman of the House Transportation subcommittee on aviation, the FAA did have strict guidelines for screening standards in place (Salant). This combination was a recipe for disaster."
Abstract Established in 1958, the Federal Aviation Administration has grown from a largely unorganized regulatory agency to overseeing the safety of civil aviation and the nation's largest air traffic control system. This paper examines how it has grown into one of the most powerful agencies in the government today and, in light of the recent terrorist attacks, is now federally regulating many recently privatized aspects of civil aviation.
From the Paper "The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) was created in 1958 under the Federal Aviation Act to oversee and promote civil aviation safety. However, the Air Commerce Act of 1926 set the stage for a federally-overseen aviation system, mainly as a method of ensuring safety standards, and was "the cornerstone of the Federal government's regulation of civil aviation." (FAA.gov). Its early responsibilities focused mainly on setting safety standards, and "for licensing virtually everything related to aerospace" (Tyson 2). Until its designation as the Federal Aviation Agency in 1958, the agency took on an expanding role in overseeing the progression of civil aviation. As times changed, and technology made new innovations possible, the government recognized a need for a more central agency to regulate civil aviation. In 1966, the Department of Transportation was created, and the Federal Aviation Administration was included in this new department. Many important events took place in the following decade. These included the creation of a semi-automated air traffic control system, which allowed controllers to determine the speed and location of aircraft. The Airline Deregulation Act of 1978 gave way to increased competition, and saw the need for a more efficient system to combat the increased growth. The National Airspace System was created in 1982 as a way to address this problem by improving many aspects of the current system. The last twenty years have seen technology make notable impacts on the airspace system, and the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001 spurred major regulations, including the creation of a Transportation Security Administration that overtook primary responsibility for the system. As its mission statement reads, "Our mission is to provide the safest, most efficient aerospace system in the world." (FAA.gov)."
Tags: administration, airplane, aviation, civil, faa, federal
Abstract This paper considers the way the implementation of GPS technology (Global Positioning Satellite) in aviation has affected safety and what this will likely mean for the future. It discusses how GPS technology has become a major technological advance for use by the airline industry and for aviation at all levels and how the tracking capabilities and accuracy of this technology has had a major impact on aviation safety as a result.
From the Paper " The creation of the Global Positioning System (GPS) offered a boon to many people and many professions. The use of GPS for ships at sea was noted early. The system was also deemed of particular value to the military and so to the government, which protected aspects off the technology for some time and kept these from wider public use. More recently, GPS technology has become viable for virtually everyone and has been included in automobiles, laptops, individual electronic tracking devices, and much more. GPS technology has also become a major technological advance for use by the airline industry and for aviation at all levels, and the tracking capabilities and accuracy of this technology has had a major impact on aviation safety as a result. "
Abstract The following paper outlines US aviation gun laws as they existed prior to 9/11 and how they stand today in the age of Homeland Security and global terrorism. The paper then examines the legal issues involved in changing America's gun aviation laws in the aftermath of the brutal attacks of 9/11. From there, the paper looks carefully at how the transformation of America's aviation gun laws profoundly changed the traveling experience of ordinary Americans. Finally, this paper summarizes the pertinent legal issues and it will conclude with an explication of why the recently-enacted gun laws are not only permissible, but entirely desirable.
Abstract The paper compares and contrasts the actual historical record of Howard Hughes and his life with its depiction in the film, "The Aviator", directed by Martin Scorsese. The paper relates that Howard Hughes became a recluse, and died alone. The paper also describes a part of the film which brings Hughes' early career into focus, while foreshadowing the torment that tortured him in his later life. The paper then points out that, as with most Hollywood dramas, the actual history of Howard Hughes and the story told by the film, become tangled in places, creating judgments on Hughes and aspects of his life that simply may not be true.
From the Paper "Little of this early history is covered in the film, and the most glaring omission is that Hughes was married when he first when to Hollywood. Ella plays no part in the early part of the film, and the pair were divorced in 1929, but still this too was something that must have had an affect on Hughes' later years, and just as his initial impetus in making films is ignored in the film, so is some significant personal history. There is also much speculation during this early portion of the film that Hughes' lifelong obsession with germs and cleanliness began due to his mother's influence and own paranoia, but there is little real evidence to back this up, most historians believe it is speculation at best. During his time in Hollywood, he made several motion pictures, "Hell's Angels" was not the first, as the film implies."
Abstract This paper discusses how drugs and aviation do not mix well at all and how, although regulations and drug testing programs have been implemented to help fight against drug use, there are still a few people that get through the system undetected. The paper relates that it is a fact that a majority, if not all, drugs have some sort of adverse reaction when taken and that these reactions can include drowsiness, delayed reaction time, impaired judgment, and many other deadly factors. The paper also examines how the regulations and programs that have been implemented to help reduce and stop drug use in aviation have been called into question, whether it is cost effective or not.
From the Paper "Both the state and federal governments have fairly strict regulations when it comes to drug use. Although there are several types of drugs, the state and federal regulations are focused more on the use and or possession of illicit drugs. The least regulated drugs are the non-prescription or over-the-counter drugs. These non-prescription drugs include the common aspirin, ibuprofen, and any other drug that can be purchased over the counter at a local drug store. Another type of drug that is moderately regulated by the federal and state governments is prescription drugs. Prescription drugs include medications such as anti-depressants, sedatives, and opiates. Prescription drugs are regulated more than non-prescription drugs, because the person must have a doctor's approval and fill the order with a pharmacist. However, prescription drugs are still easily obtainable at times and they are legal to use. "
Abstract This paper discusses the Comet jet airplane accidents of the early 1950?s, and the profound effects they had on certain aspects of our society. The author examines the various effects a technological disaster has on our lives and the world around us, as well as how our views towards the technology may be altered after a technological disaster.
From the Paper:
"By examining the jet aircraft industry, but in particular the British jet aircraft industry after the accidents, we are able to gain insight into what people's conceptions were, and why certain events unfolded as they did. With any technological disaster, trust in the product is often lost very quickly, and various actions are often taken to try and restore this trust. By examining these actions we can better understand how many people felt about the technology after the disasters. Lastly, not all technological disasters have purely negative connotations. Much can be learned from technological accidents that eventually lead to important improvements in the technology. By examining one major technological failure and its various effects we can gain a better understanding of how we are affected by technology as well as how our views towards the technology may be altered."
Tags: airplane, disaster, effects, history, social, technology, aircraft, industry
Abstract This paper attempts to educate the reader about the four major classes of drugs. Physical and emotional reactions to the various drugs will be discussed. A discussion on government regulations regarding drug use and mandatory screening are also described. The reader is challenged to take a position regarding mandatory drug testing of individuals employed in the aviation field.
From the Paper "When one thinks about substance abuse, one normally thinks about drugs such as alcohol, marijuana, and cocaine. We can go on forever. Drugs are classified into four categories: stimulants, depressants, psychedelics, and inhalants. Each of these different types of drugs causes different effects on the human body. The average person can think of a neighbor, friend, or family member who is a substance abuser. It seems that he or she rarely stops and thinks about what drugs and other chemicals can do to our body. Think about how they can impair the proper judgement of an airline pilot, flight crew, aircraft mechanics. Drug abuse onboard an aircraft can result in serious injury or death in both the user and innocent passengers."
Tags: drugs, workplace, abuse, aviation, substanceflight, crew, testing, government
Abstract This research project examines strategies used by shift workers in aviation maintenance to cope with the fatigue and sleep disturbances suffered as a result of interrupted sleeping patterns. A connection is drawn between accidents, injuries and even airplane malfunctions and sleep disturbances in shift workers.
From the Paper "Approximately 20 percent of the American workforce - some 20 illion workers - work nonstandard hours (Liskowsky, 1992). Shift work may take the form of evening or night work, rotating shifts, irregular shifts, split shifts, or extended-duty hours. The U.S. Office of Technology has asserted that shift work has the potential to disrupt the body's biological rhythms or changes in various physiological and behavioral functions that repeat at regular intervals ranging from minutes to months."
Abstract A paper on the future of the aviation administration from the perspective of safety. The issues discussed include pilot performance and safety management.
Abstract This paper reviews the impact of Computer Aided Design (CAD) on aviation safety. In particular the paper looks at how CAD has incorporated Human Factors Principles, that is to say an appreciation of the kind of people who will be using the technology, into the design making process.
From the Paper "There can be little question that few occupations demand more of their practitioners than do the various branches of aviation. To begin with, any aircraft - be it a jetliner, a fighter jet, or even a small private airplane - is an extremely sophisticated piece of machinery. More specifically, they travel at high rates of speed, they can be (at least in the case of commercial aircraft) very unwieldy and cumbersome and their malfunction and/or mistreatment can result in almost certain death; quite simply, they are not items with which to be trifled. Adding to the dangers posed by these aircraft is the fact that their pilots - at least in military and/or commercial contexts - are expected to do more, and to do it more quickly, than ever before."
Abstract The paper compares the natural disasters of New Orleans and South Africa in terms of survival statistics in relation to their effect on children in terms of symptomatic trauma, interventions and resources in rebuilding the urban places after the disaster. The paper examines both South Africa and New Orleans to analyze what could have been done to mitigate some of the damage inflicted in these two instances and further to envision what might be done in retrospect to strengthen the response of humanitarian efforts at times of natural disasters. The paper includes a map and tables.
Outline:
Objective
Introduction
Disaster Assessment of South Africa & New Orleans
Flooding Greatest Risk in South Africa and New Orleans
Findings of Risk Assessment
Disaster Mitigation Requires 'Spirit of the Law' Application
Summary and Conclusion
From the Paper "Those most affected were individuals who lived in homes that were constructed poorly. Identification of areas and communities that were affected had no uniformity. The results show that some communities received relief while others did not. Relief agencies were not well represented insofar as informing these individuals of what relief they were entitled to with many failing to miss such relief funding as Social Security for water-damaged property replacement. The report states: "...In these communities, rain or flood-affected households managed their losses alone or, in the case of many farm-workers residing on farms, repaired their homes with the farmer's assistance."
Abstract This paper reviews a number of disaster recovery issues. The paper focuses on the national economic impacts of natural disasters both long- and short-term. The paper also addresses the financial impact of disasters at the personal and community levels.
