There was a lot happening in the past month with the conference highlights, and we really wanted to share all the recent news that happened in our discipline. In this mail you will find your usual summary of recent research articles and the news.
I wanted to highlight the work of two of our volunteers for making this happen every month. Srishti Rawal manages the LinkedIn account and surveys the news from the different new outlets. Anika Shafi has recently joined and she helps with finding and summarizing recent research publications. Thank you to both of them for their help.
Recent publications
By Anika Shafi
Research on Human Reliability Prediction for Single-Pilot Operations
Wei Tan, Jiaqi Li & Huicong Li
International Journal of Human–Computer Interaction
How reliable is a single-pilot transporting cargo or passengers? The authors of the study aimed to answer this by using an improved Cognitive Reliability and Error Analysis Method (CREAM) integrated with fuzzy logic, discrete functions and Bayesian network. Through this approach, they were able to create a predictive model capable of precise quantification of human error probability. Interestingly, the findings revealed that the human reliability risk of single-pilot operations is lower than that of double-pilot operations.
Single Pilot Concept of Operations: Hazard Identification and Mitigation Measures
Konstantinos Pechlivanis & Don Harris
International Journal of Aerospace Psychology
This study examined hazards associated with single-pilot operations in small jets certified for such use and explored how these insights may inform the understanding of potential risks in future commercial airliners. A triangulation of methods was employed, including archival analysis of 47 accidents from the Aviation Safety Network, Skybrary, and NTSB databases; review of 237 NASA ASRS incident reports; semi-structured interviews with six subject matter experts (single-pilot operations-qualified small jet pilots); and surveys with 100 commercial airline pilots. Findings indicated that hazards were primarily linked to the absence of a second pilot to monitor or trap errors, contributing to issues such as ineffective workload management, performance-based errors (e.g., procedural non-compliance, missing checklist items, improper control use), and unchallenged inaccurate mental models, among others. Suggested mitigation measures included enhanced avionics design, adapted operating procedures, and less complex, more predictable ATC routing. Additionally, overall acceptance of single-pilot operations was low, with only 33% of airline pilots considering replacement of the second pilot with automation feasible, and only 18% viewing a remote co-pilot on demand as feasible.
Critical Connections: Network Analysis of Human Errors in Aviation Accidents
Ayse Asli Yilmaz
International Journal of Aerospace Psychology
The authors analyzed aviation accidents by integrating the Human Factors Analysis and Classification System (HFACS) - widely regarded as the gold standard for human factors classification and analysis - with network analysis. A bipartite network comprising 150,000 nodes and 250,000 edges was constructed using Python and visualized in Gephi to reveal relational patterns. Centrality metrics were applied to identify systemic vulnerabilities within the network. Results indicated that pilot error dominated general aviation accidents (70%), crew error was most prevalent in commercial aviation (50%), while maintenance oversights in rotary-wing aircraft (45%) exhibited the highest betweenness centrality, highlighting their critical role within the causal network of aviation accidents.
Relationships Between Pilot Gaze Patterns and Control Lapses in Challenging Instrument Approach Flight
Alireza Ghaderi & Fariborz Saghafi
International Journal of Aerospace Psychology
The authors investigated the effectiveness of specific gaze behavior patterns as indicators of pilot performance by analyzing forty-five instrument flight approaches conducted by fifteen pilots. Fixation duration and saccade rate showed strong correlations with control quality, whereas scan pattern predictability and gaze variability demonstrated moderate negative and positive correlations, respectively. Together these findings advance understanding of the attentional mechanisms underlying pilot performance. Furthermore, the methods used in the study underscore the utility of complementing traditional performance measures with metrics such as exceedance autocorrelation, which may provide deeper insight into temporal characteristics of control quality.
In the news
By Philippe DP, Srishti Rawal, Anika Shafi
Aviation
Honeywell showcased its latest runway safety feature, Surface Alerts (SURF-A), during a recent demonstration. At a pre-flight media briefing, Thea Feyereisen, senior technical fellow at Honeywell Aerospace Technologies, explained that the system is designed to mitigate three major risks: wrong-surface operations, runway excursions, and incursions. SURF-A specifically enhances protection against runway incursions by leveraging ADS-B data and trajectory analysis to alert pilots when another aircraft or vehicle in the runway engagement zone poses a collision threat within about 30 seconds. Watch the video demo online (6:50 min)
Sergei Sikorsky, son of Sikorsky Aircraft founder, dies age 100. Sergei Sikorsky started working at his father's company, Sikorsky Aircraft, at the age of 16, finishing high school at night. During WWII, he was drafted into the U.S. Coast Guard and was involved in the development of the first helicopter hoist. Then, his 41-year career at Sikorsky brought him around the world as a salesman, representative and diplomatic interpreter. After retiring, he continued to represent the company as a goodwill ambassador.
Air Traffic Management
Two companies bid to be project manager of the $12.5b Air traffic overhaul in the U.S. These are Peraton, a national security company owned by Veritas Capital and headquartered in Reston, VA and Parsons Corporation, a technology provider in national security and global infrastructure markets headquartered in Chantilly, VA. The FAA initially planned to announce the company selected by the end of October, but the news was postponed during the government shutdown.
Lessons learned from the NextGen program. The U.S. DOT Office of Inspector General (OIG) has released a memorandum report in which it reviews the successes and failures of the FAA's NextGen program to modernize Air Traffic management. Launched in 2003, NextGen contributed to the use of PBN navigation, datacom clearances, ABS-B mandate, and Time-Based Flow Management (TBFM) among many other things. Now that the Trump administration is moving toward a fast-paced plan to modernize ATC, it is a worthwhile effort to look back for lessons learned from NextGen. The report mostly highlights the budget and schedule misses that happened more frequently than planned. It also points to systemic issues that will remain present in future programs: how to manage complex interdependencies between programs – where delay in the Datacom program cascades to the TBFM program–, supporting NAS resiliency to system outages and cyberthreats, and the increased costs to sustain legacy systems.
New FAA administrator wants to modernize U.S. air traffic, 'unleash drone dominance' With just seven weeks on the job, the new head of the Federal Aviation Administration is prioritizing modernizing aging infrastructure and advancing efforts to unlock the potential of small commercial drones.
A group of more than 30 U.S. state and territorial governors is calling on Congress to enact stronger counter uncrewed aircraft system (C-UAS) measures amid a spate of drone sightings reported near airports, public events, and military installations.
Autonomy
Chinese eVTOL aircraft developer EHang has conducted its first passenger-carrying demonstration flight in Africa, which took place in Kigali, Rwanda, on September 4 and 5. According to the company, the two-seat EH216-S aircraft is the first eVTOL air taxi to fly on the continent.
Sikorsky Unveiled Uncrewed Variant of the Black Hawk. Branded "U-Hawk", it will serve for multi-mission payload transportation. The autonomous vehicle is still in the prototyping phase, but it has 25% more cargo space than a typical Black Hawk. The flight deck is replaced by two clamshell doors and an automated ramp for loading and unloading cargo.
Electric
Electric aviation industry grapples with best way to display battery data The article summarizes the main issues with estimating the remaining power available for electrical flight. Importantly,
The U.S. Department of Transportation unveiled a pilot program meant to "fast track" the introduction of electric air taxis and cargo aircraft by establishing partnerships between aircraft developers and state and local governments.
Volocopter and Euro Flight Test Partner on eVTOL Pilot Training. The two companies are collaborating to develop training programs for eVTOL test pilots and flight test engineers, covering aspects such as ground-based familiarization, flight testing, and RPAS experience.
Archer Beats Out Joby for Lilium eVTOL Patents. Following the bankruptcy of Lilium, its portfolio of 300 patents went for sale. Archer Aviation bid the highest $21 million to secure about 300 patents covering ducted fans, propellers, engines, and more.
Space
NASA Picks 10 New Astronauts as Focus Shifts to the Moon and Mars. The newly selected astronaut class includes active members of the US military, test pilots, a medical doctor, and a planetary geologist, among others. Notably, this selection also marks a new first, as female astronauts outnumber their male counterparts for the first time in the agency's history.
Airbus, Leonardo and Thales agree to combine space businesses. Three of Europe's aerospace giants – Airbus, Leonardo and Thales have announced a new joint company consolidating many of their space activities. Airbus is set to own 35% of the share while Leondaro and Thales will each own 32.5%. This joint venture is set to situate Europe as a key player in the global space market.
Defence
The Air Force's first F-47 fighter is now being built by Boeing, and the advanced jet is expected to have its initial flight in 2028. The F-47 will feature advanced stealth, extended combat range, and sensor capabilities exceeding those of fifth-generation fighter jets such as the F-22. Additionally, it is expected to fly alongside swarms of autonomous "wingmen" drones, serving as a hub in enhanced networked air combat operations.
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