Introduction

Millions of people worldwide use airplanes to fly to different destinations. Aviation safety is, therefore, important to ensure that accidents do not happen. There have been numerous incidents of airplane crashes that may have been caused by a malfunction or bad weather. Aviation safety ensures that the planes are in perfect working conditions and are not allowed in places where bad weather is experienced. Plane crashes are associated with loss of lives of the people on board, destruction of property, and even loss of lives of the people on the ground where a plane crashes. With the occurrence of numerous plane crashes and accidents, aviation safety was considered important to minimize and prevent the occurrence of these accidents. This led to the emergence of institutions and organizations such as the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) that had the responsibility to ensure that airlines adhere to safety measures.

Question 1

Some of the factors that affect aviation safety include human, environmental, and mechanical factors. Human factors may include the passengers, pilots, or ATCS (Long & Dhillon 158). In some cases, the pilots are fatigued, and this contributes to a reduction in their performance and concentration while on duty. They may have worked for long hours without rest or sleep, and this makes it easy for them to cause accidents. Some pilots may also suffer from medical conditions that may result in the occurrence of an accident. An example is the South African AW plane that crashed when the captain suffered a heart attack, and the first officer did not have the skills to control the plane. Other pilots may suffer from mental problems that may lead them to cause accidents. A Tokyo pilot who had a history of psychological problems caused a crash when he set the plane engines into reverse mode when it was mid-air. Some pilots also cause accidents because they fly planes while they are intoxicated. Drinking alcohol minimizes the concentration level of people, and it may also cause an individual to sleep while performing their duties. If such pilots are allowed to fly planes, accidents are bound to happen. In some cases, pilots fail to monitor flight instruments and communicate effectively. In such cases, accidents are inevitable. Passengers have also been responsible for various plane accidents that have been witnessed over the recent years. Terrorism has become rampant for a long time and some passengers board planes with the intention of blowing it and killing everyone on board. An example of accidents caused by passengers is the September 11^th attack where three planes were hijacked by terrorists.

Air Traffic Control (ATC) are responsible for aviation safety because they can determine whether an accident happens or not. ACT consists of a team of controllers on the ground and their assistants. They are tasked with communicating with the pilot and giving them instructions as well as alerting them if there is any danger. They also monitor the pilot’s movements, and they should practice effective communication when handing over duties to their workmates. If the wrong information is given to the pilot or another controller during handover, a place accident may be experienced. The controllers should work as a team and ensure that they execute their duties effectively. ATCs caused a Mali plane to crash because they gave the pilot a wrong diversion and navigation direction. This led to the pilot circling the wrong city and after some time, it ran out of fuel causing it to crash. Environmental factors such as snow, ice, rain and lightning affect aviation safety and are known to cause accidents. Rain, snow, and ice affect visibility and when landing in places with snow, airplanes to lose control when landing and may also find it hard to lift from the ground. In 2010, an Indonesian plane with 103 passengers overran the runway and landed in a pool of water. In rare cases, lightning strikes and damages the plane, causing an accident. Lightning disables the planes and causes an electrical failure that ignites fuel tanks and pipes.  A mechanical failure such as engine failure causes the malfunction of the plane resulting in accidents. The Indonesian military aircraft crash was caused by engine failure that caused the malfunction of one of the propellers, and this caused the plane to crash into the neighborhood as the pilot tried to land it back.

Question 2

Technology plays an important role in aviation safety because it helps in the detection of faults that may be present in an airplane, avoiding problems such as corrosion of airplane parts, improving customer experience, and understanding the weather. Research in regards to aviation safety being conducted and aim at understanding how water infiltrates under an aircraft’s surface. By understanding this, researchers will be in a good position to find solutions to this problem and ensure that it is solved. Research is also undergoing, and it will help in establishing faults in an aircraft in a fast manner. Airplanes go through constant wear and tear and because of this, researchers are focused on finding a method that can identify the parts in need of repair so that they can be replaced or repaired in a fast and efficient manner. This will help to save time and money because it will not take the technicians a long time to establish and repair the problem and the aircraft will be in operation within a short time. Accumulation of water in the light weight honeycomb structures that are located in the tail and wings is the major problem in aviation and researchers are making efforts to make it easy for technicians to spot the exact location of the water within the shortest time possible. The accumulation of water is associated with corrosion, an increase in an aircraft’s weight, and damage of structures because it expands, freezes, and then melts (Fischer 56). To identify the location of the water, researchers heat an aircraft’s surface and use thermal cameras that enable them to observe its cooling. The regions that cool fast indicate the presence of water.

Vacuum method is also used by researchers by creating a vacuum around the bolt head. The presence of water will be experienced by boiling and the cooling of the surfaces around the water. Researchers are also involved in developing methods that can be used to repair damaged aircraft and manufacturing new designs. Research is also beneficial in aviation safety because it focuses on finding solutions that will help avoid problems that can be found in aircraft. Researchers have embarked in finding ways that technicians can use to detect any variations in thickness as well of the composition of various components. To understand this, researchers employ the use of a system that has electromagnetic waves. Researchers are also involved in finding alternatives that can be used in getting rid of coatings on damaged turbines. They are researching whether laser beams can be used in removing the coatings instead of using corrosive chemicals.

One of the innovations that have been developed is the laser-aided additive manufacturing (LAAM) which helps in the repair of damaged aircraft. The technology uses high energy laser beam that deposits materials in geometric structures and also fills in cracks. As compared to traditional methods of repairing aircraft, this method is seen as less wasteful. LAAM helps to repair and fabricate aircraft parts by giving them strong mechanical properties that make them have resistance to wear and corrosion. When super alloys are used in repairing of structures, the aircraft parts become strong and are in perfect condition even when they are exposed to extreme working conditions (A*STAR 9). Super De-haze is also another innovation that helps air controllers and pilots to have a clear image by removing effects associated with fog, haze, or smoke.

Question 3

National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is an airline investigative agency. It was established in 1967 by the U.S Congress that realized that a single organization would be more effective in ensuring a high safety level in the transportation system. NTSB has the mission of independently advancing transportation safety, and it is legally mandated to maintain the objectivity as stated by the Congress. It is also supposed to conduct objective and proper accident investigations as well as safety studies. NTSB also has the role of conducting fair and objective mariner certification appeals and also advocates and promotes safety recommendations to airlines as well as the passengers. In the event of accidents, it is the role of NTSB to offer help and assistance to the victims and their families. By conducting investigations that establish the cause of an accident, the NTSB gives safety recommendations that can be adopted to prevent a recurrence of the accident (Fielding, Lo, &Young 20). Transport Security Administration (TSA) is a U. S agency that is tasked with the duty of maintaining the security of people who use public means of transport. It was established after the September 11^th Attacks in 2001. TSA’s mission is to protect the nation’s system of transportation to allow the freedom of movement of people and commerce. The September led to the loss of over 3000 lives and after its establishment, it was tasked with the role of formulating policies that will aid in increasing airport security and avoid another incident of airplane hijacking. Over the years, TSA has seen airports adopt the use of perimeter security in airports, screening, and access controls among others. TSA conducts random tests in airports across the country to ensure that they conform to the security regulations that it has established. TSA has faced several problems such as the use of millions of dollars to purchase high-tech screening equipment that do not work properly and cannot be used. Some airports have also failed to abide by some of the safety procedures that have been set by the agency, and this has posed challenges for TSA as it has created a loophole for terrorists.

American Association of Airport Executives (AAAE) established in 1928 is an association that represents airport management personnel at airports. Its mission is to coordinate international memberships, activities, and conferences. AAAE allows its members to acquire the industry related knowledge and also offers three accreditation programs namely accredited airport executive, certified member, and airport certified employee. AAAE ensures that all the members are familiar with airport safety procedures, and this is instrumental in maintaining aviation safety. Airports Council International (ACI) was established in 1991 and has the role of representing airports across the world to various governments and organizations. It helps in training, developing policies and standards, and provide information that help to raise the standards of airports across the world. ACI’s mission is to promote the interests of people and to act as the voice of airports across the world as well as the communities they serve. It helps to promote excellence in the management and operation of airports. ACI ensures that cooperation is achieved in all the segments of the aviation industry such as stakeholders, governments, and international organizations. It also helps to ensure cooperation amongst airports as well as mutual assistance. ACI has also participated in activities that have helped to facilitate a safe and secure environment in airports to avoid incidents that may affect aviation safety.

Question 4

Commercial airports receive at least 2500 passengers who board airplanes and receive passenger service every year. Commercial airports are supposed to abide by the safety standards that are laid out in FAR part 9. The regulations are important because they help to create a safe environment for the people at the airport. Commercial airports are required to have an airport emergency plan (AEP). The plan indicates the emergency-related actions that are planned in the event of an emergency or safety at the airport (Ferguson & Nelson 207). The plan discusses how the airport plans to take care of the population at the airport, as well as the community. A good AEP should clearly understand the importance of airport emergency and the role that the responding agencies play. Commercial airports are also required to perform emergency exercises every year as this will ensure that the participants are familiar with the actions to take in the event of a safety issue. Commercial airports are also required to conduct airfield inspections as this helps in the identification of any unwanted condition. It ensures that the condition is rectified in time to avoid emergency cases. The inspection involves an observation of runways, taxiways, and ramps among other aircraft movement areas (Ferguson & Nelson 208). The inspection may also be more detailed and involve checking the airport’s pavement condition, lighting, markings, and signage among others. The inspections should be conducted daily to ensure that there are no ruts or erosion. A well-formulated checklist should be developed to facilitate proper inspection. The inspection should also indicate the presence of the type and number of wildlife that may have been present at the airport during the inspection.

General airports (GAs) are airports that are used by the public and do not have a minimum number of passenger boarding. Most of the airports across the world fall into this category, and there are several safety issues that should be upheld. GAs should ensure that pilots are trained, and the planes are in a working condition. They should also have better weather capabilities that will ensure the controllers and pilots can understand when to fly or divert a plane. Weather is one of the primary causes of plane accidents and the ability to understand it will significantly help to prevent such accidents and this will in turn help to prevent the destruction of property as well as loss of lives. The airport improvement program is practiced in Gas, and it facilitates the provision of grants to the airports. The program helps in the planning and development of airports, and this ensures that safety standards are adhered to, and this helps to mitigate hazards that may be experienced in airports. Communication safety is also practiced in Gas, and it focuses on training the employees on the various modes of communication that should be practiced in case of an emergency. The communication safety training should be a regular practice to ensure the employees are well versed with the procedure. GAs have also adopted the use of emergency response systems that are important in the event of an emergency situation. The fire department is always on standby in the event of a fire outbreak. The easy availability of emergency response teams helps to minimize the effects of an emergency by ensuring that it is handled in a fast and efficient manner.

In airline safety, passengers are required to pay attention to preflight briefings. Although they are repetitive and may become boring to frequent flyers, it is important they pay attention as the briefing gives instructions of the exit points that may be used in case of an emergency. The briefing may also give instructions about a position that a person should maintain in the event of an emergency landing. Passengers should also ensure that they avoid heavy luggage in the overhead bin. If the heavy luggage falls during turbulence, it may cause serious injury to the passengers. Passengers should also fasten their seat belts when seated especially during turbulence as it will help to prevent injuries. The passengers should also listen to flight attendants because they have been trained to handle people on the planes, and they offer advice that is of help. One should not argue with them when told to do something because they understand why it is important. An individual should also wear comfortable clothes and shoes when boarding a flight to avoid incidents such as falls in the plane. Hazardous materials such as gasoline, poisonous gasses, and corrosives should also not be carried in planes as it interferes with airline safety. They can pose a threat to the other passengers as they can easily explode. If they must be transported, an individual should communicate with the airline and have them transported using different means. Flight attendants are trained to handle and serve hot drinks in a moving aircraft, and a passenger should not attempt to pour themselves any hot drink. This is because they may pour the drink on themselves or other passengers leading to injury.

In conclusion, the importance of safety is evident because it helps to prevent accidents and safety issues that may happen. Safety in aviation is reinforced by ensuring that safety procedures are adhered to, and this may include repair of any damaged aircrafts, performing an inspection of airfields to ensure that the aircraft path is safe and free of any danger. Safety procedures also include proper communication between the employees during an emergency situation and airports should also have a plan that they will follow in the event of an emergency. In the aviation industry, changes are frequent and airports should adapt to these changes. The changes are beneficial to the airport as they help to fight insecurity and also help to improve the performance of aircraft. Safety improve should be a priority as passengers want to feel safe when they are in the air. Safety can be attained by adhering to the policies that are established by various aviation bodies. Airport management should also concentrate on the events that happen widely and how they affect the aviation industry. Incidents such as terrorism will help airport management to develop measures that will prevent the occurrence of terrorist activities in their airport or aircraft.

Works Cited

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Fischer, Curran. Air Transport and Operations. Netherlands: IOS Press BV, 2012. Web.

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