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General Aviation

A Methodology to Predict the Empennage In-Flight Loads of a General Aviation Aircraft Using Backpropagation Neural Networks : Final Report

This provides access to a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) report, DOT/FAA/AR-00/50, by David Kim and Maciej Marciniak, dated February 2001. The purpose of this research was to develop a methodology for the prediction of strains in the tail section of a general aviation aircraft that would not require installation of strain gages and to determine the minimum set of sensors necessary for a prediction suitable for small aircraft. The full text of the report is available in PDF format, from the online catalogue of the FAA William J. Hughes Technical Center Library.

Acronym Finder

This is a searchable database of over 414,000 acronyms and their meanings, with a focus on the subjects of computers, technology, telecommunications, and the military. More than 100 new acronyms are added each day so this is a rapidly expanding resource.

Active Control of Sound in a Small Single Engine Aircraft Cabin with Virtual Error Sensors

This web site provides access to an Adelaide University Department of Mechanical Engineering PhD dissertation, by Colin D. Kestell, dated 24 August 2000. It describes the basis of a theoretical and experimental project, directed at the design and evaluation of a practical active noise control (ANC) system suitable for a single engine light aircraft. Bibliographic and abstract details are available in HTML format. The title page, contents and the full text of the document are accessible online in PDF format. This title is part of the Australian Digital Theses (ADT) Programme.

Aero.com

Aero.com is an aviation directory service. The resources to which it provides links are arranged under the following headings: departments (incorporates sub-headings such as art/photography, fliight planning, museums, news organizations); online reading; FAA newsletters and safety seminars, and travel. The focus of the Aero.com site is on general aviation, and is aimed specifically at pilots, skydivers, balloonists and enthusiasts. It provides editorial content, a flight planning walk-through including links to weather briefing sites, weight and balance calculation, pilot logbook software, assistance with research, lists of contact information on schools, museums, associations and drop zones. Aero.com also provides access to its own Aviation Yellow Pages.

Aerofiles : A Century of American Aviation

Aerofiles is the Internet's most comprehensive, non-commercial, free-access web site dedicated solely to the aviation history of North America and the airplanes that have graced its skies for more than a century. This is the starting place for anywhere in the wonderful and sometimes weird world of aviation — military, civil, and commercial — in North America from 1903 to now. From comprehensive lists and information on airplanes, airlines, airports, museums, organisations to biographies and chronology this website is packed full of information.

Aeronautical Radio Station Operator's Guide

This provides access to a UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) document, Civil Aviation Paper CAP 452, 13th edition, 7th October 2005. This is a reference document for air ground operators, offshore radio operators, and radio operators at other locations where a radio operators certificate of competence is required. It is based on the International Standards and Recommended Practices for Personnel Licencing and Aeronautical Communications contained in ICAO Annex 1 and ICAO Annex 10, Vol. 2 (Communication Procedures) respectively. The text of CAP 452 is available in PDF format (247 kb), from the CAA's web site.

Air Team Images

This is an online aviation image library. The emphasis is on delivering the very best images from the world’s finest photographers. All images on the site are available for online purchase as prints, posters or gifts for worldwide delivery or instant file download direct from the server. You can browse or use the comprehensive search engine where you can search by keywords, manufacturer, industry sector, location, theme (eg aircraft type, aircraft show or airport life etc.

Airclaims

Airclaims provides the aviation industry with services including accident insurance, risk assessment, liability claims handling and surveying. The site provides details on these activities as well as publications such as Blue Print and the International Aircraft Price Guide with the option of subscribing or downloading sample pages in PDF format. The site offers a downloadable demo of the CASE (Client Aviation System Enquiry) database of the world's air transport fleet. Also described are other information products in four main areas - aircraft, airlines, accidents and availability/values. News is provided with extracts from the Blue Print weekly industry newsletter.

Aircraft Icing Handbook

This Good Aviation Practice (GAP) handbook was published by the Civil Aviation Authority of New Zealand in 2000. It is intended to help educate all personnel associated with flight operations in icing conditions. The contents include the following chapters, Airframe Icing, Induction System Icing, Helicopter Icing, Pre-Flight Preparation, The New Zealand Environment, In-Flight Management, Pilot Training Syllabi, Operations Manual Content / Operator Certification. The text of the document is available in PDF format.

Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association : Air Safety Foundation : Accident Database

The Air Safety Foundation (ASF) database is comprised of NTSB accident reports dating back to January 1983. It includes only accidents involving fixed wing aircraft weighing 12,500 pounds or less. Most recent accidents are described as "preliminary" status, which is a very brief description of what happened. According to the accompanying text, there are occasional errors and generally limited data. The database is compiled with the assistance of the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).

Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association Air Safety Foundation : 2001 Nall Report

The report describes general aviation accident trends and factors for 2000. It is based on an analysis of National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) accident reports involving fixed wing general aviation aircraft weighing less than 12,500 pounds. The report is dedicated to Joseph Nall, an NTSB Board member, who was himself a victim of an air accident in 1989.

Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association Air Safety Foundation : The Joseph T. Nall Report

This annual safety report presents an overview of the previous year's general aviation accident statistics, including trends and contributing factors. It is based on an analysis of National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) accident reports involving fixed wing general aviation aircraft weighing less than 12,500 pounds. The report is dedicated to Joseph Nall, an NTSB Board member, who was himself a victim of an air accident in 1989. The site provides access to the full text of these report from 1997 onwards.

Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association Air Safety Foundation

Chartered in 1950, the AOPA Air Safety Foundation is dedicated to providing aviation education and safety programs for general aviation. The site includes a complete listing of ASF-sponsored aviation safety courses and seminars conducted around the United States, and includes a listing of online courses. Access is also provided to some of the publications and reports that the ASF produces. The accident analysis section provides access to the ASF aircraft accident database, associated special safety reports, a runway incursion analysis, and accident statistics. There is a browse function on the site which allows the content to be accessed using a safety topic index which brings together resources under a variety of aviation safety related headings such as accident statistics and analysis, aeronautical decision making, airport operations, bird hazards, collision avoidance, Controlled Flight into Terrain (CFIT), instrument and night flying, fuel management, mechanical and maintenance, and weather. Other parts of the site deal with learning to fly, links to AOPA magazines and a calendar of events. Please note that while much of the site is generally accessible some sections are restricted to AOPA members only.

Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association

The United States Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA) is a not-for-profit organisation concerned with General Aviation (GA). The site contains background information about the AOPA and its activities, and a news service. Other information resources provided include table of contents of the current issue of AOPA journals including AOPA Pilot Magazine and AOPA Flight Training. The full text is only available to AOPA members, although access is provided to an archive of feature articles. Other sections of the site cover what's new, advocacy actitities, and information on learning to fly. A link is also provided to the AOPA's Air Safety Foundation. Some services are available to members only. Please look at the site map for more information on the restricted access resources.

Aircraft Performance Database - Airplane Performance Data For General Aviation Aircraft

This is a database which contains performance data for many general aviation aircraft. The database can be searched by manufacturer and model, or browsed by the Index of Aircraft Manufacturers. The site provides a range of supporting information resources including US weather data, discussion forums, practice FAA tests, listings of aviation books and a link to an indexed, searchable database of Federal Aviation Regulations. There are also links to various aircraft pictures and aviation news.

Aircraft Type Designators (ICAO)

ICAO has developed an electronic database of the information contained in the Aircraft Type Designators (Doc 8643) for those aircraft types that are most commonly provided with air traffic services (ATS).

Airliners.net

This source is primarily dedicated to aviation photographs, with an archive of 65,000 images of individual aircraft and aerial photographs of airports. A search engine enables the location of specified photographs by aircraft type, airline, category, country/airport and keywords. The site also includes a small number of aviation-related discussion forums, covering general aviation, aviation interests as a hobby, aviation photography and photograph requests. It also features up-to-the-minute industry news, provided by PRNewswire, and an online shop, supplying a wide range of aviation-related books, videos and general goods. There is also a section dedicated to aircraft data and history that covers about 400 aircraft types and includes data like powerplants, production, performance etc. There is also a facility available for booking online air tickets and reserving hotel rooms.

Airplane Flying Handbook

Published by the U.S. Department of Transportation, Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Airman Testing Standards Branch in 2004, the Handbook is designed as a technical manual to introduce basic pilot skills and knowledge that are essential for piloting airplanes. It provides information on transition to other airplanes and the operation of various airplane systems. It introduces the future pilot to the realm of flight and provides information and guidance in the performance of procedures and manoeuvres required for pilot certification. Topics such as navigation and communication, meteorology, use of flight information publications, regulations, and aeronautical decision making are available in other Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) publications. In this electronic format the several chapters are grouped together in PDF format files; the cover, preface, table of contents, glossary and index are also included.

Airprox in UK Airspace Involving General Aviation Pilots

An Airprox is a situation in which, in the opinion of a pilot or a controller, the distance between aircraft as well as their relative positions and speed have been such that the safety of the aircraft involved was or may have been compromised. The UK Airprox Board’s (UKAB) primary objective is to enhance flight safety in the UK, in particular in respect of lessons to be learned and applied from Airprox occurrences reported within UK airspace. The reports available from this site contain selected abstracts from UKAB reports for use by General Aviation (GA) pilots. Their purpose is to identify for the GA community some of the flight safety lessons arising from Airprox events which occurred in UK airspace. The site provides access to reports from the period Jan - Jun 2003 to Jul - Dec 2004.

Amateur Built Aircraft : Guidance for Amateur Builders on the Eligibility of Aircraft Building Projects

This provides access to a UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) document, Civil Aviation Paper CAP 659, April 1996. This CAP gives the circumstances under which an application for a Permit to Fly will be accepted by the Civil Aviation Authority for an Amateur Built Aircraft (e.g. an aircraft constructed other than under a civil Type Certificate.) The text of CAP 659 is available in PDF format (57 kb), from the CAA's web site.

Amateur Built Aircraft and Ultralight Flight Testing Handbook

Published by the U.S. Department of Transportation, Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) as Advisory Circular (AC) 90-89A in May 1995, this document presents suggestions and safety related recommendations to assist amateur and ultralight builders in developing individualized aircraft flight test plans. The text of the document is available in PDF (797.98 Kb) format.

Amateur-built and experimental aircraft - Part 1 : A survey of owners and builders of VH- registered non-factory aircraft

This provides access to an Australian Transport Safety Bureau Research and Analysis Report No. AR2007043_1 written by D. R. Stanton and R. Taylor dated June 2009. Non-factory amateur-built and experimental (ABE) aircraft are a popular alternative to general aviation aircraft. In Australia, there is little comprehensive data on these aircraft and what people do when building or buying them second-hand. Key players in this part of aviation were consulted in developing a survey to better understand these aircraft builders and owners. The survey was distributed electronically and in hard copy to owners of VH-registered ABE aircraft, and about 50 per cent of active ABE aircraft owners answered the survey. It focussed on choice of aircraft, construction and modifications, test flights, transition training, and maintenance. It provides a valuable reference point for aircraft operators, those considering ABE aircraft, aviation regulators, and aircraft associations. In developing a more comprehensive understanding of this sector of aviation, relevant parties are in a better position to plan, build and operate ABE aircraft in the future. [Taken from abstract]. The full text is available in PDF format so Adobe Acrobat software is required in order to read it.

Analyis of Airprox in UK Airspace : July 2002 to December 2002

This is a report prepared by the UK Airprox Board (UKAB), for the Chairman of the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) and the Chief of the Air Staff, Royal Air Force (RAF). Its purpose is to promote air safety awareness and understanding by sharing widely the lessons to be learned from UK Airprox (near miss) incidents. It provides full annual statistics for 2002 and compares these results from previous years to see what trends and movements have occurred. The full text of the report is available in PDF format.

Analysis of the 1990 UFO reports by British jet fighter pilots

In November 1990 British RAF jet pilots reported a large unknown object over the Netherlands. Six miliary aircrew on board three Tornado jet fighters were involved in this incident. The UFO Working Group Netherlands (UWN) received an audio cassette with a recording of radio communications between the three fighters and Dutch military air traffic control. The aircrew were unable to identify the object and that the military air traffic controller was unable to find it on radar. This webpage has a link to the radio communications recording and gives a summary the results of investigations into this case, which illustrates how certain perceptual processes may lead to a UFO report.

AOPA Air Safety Foundation Safety Highlights

The Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA)Air Safety Foundation's Safety Highlights are type-specific aircraft reviews of a selection of popular general aviation aircrafts. They contain technical details, safety records and test questions. Currently the site contains reviews for the following aircraft: Cessna 172 Skyhawk, Cessna 182 Skylane, Beechcraft Bonanza / Debonair and Piper Cherokee and Arrow. The full text is available in pdf format.

ASD Industry Figures 2006

This is an AeroSpace and Defence Industries Association of Europe (ASD) publication. This document provides a short overview of the key figures on the status of the European Aerospace and Defence Industry in 2006. The full text is available in pdf format.

Ask Captain Lim

Captain Lim has been flying the Boeing 777 for the last 8 years and as a 'hobby' has set up this website where you can ask air travel questions to an active pilot. The FAQs cover a range of topics from safety to turbulance to fear of flying to careers as a pilot to technical questions. There is also a photo gallery and links to other aviation websites and a recent addition is a forum for discussion.

Assessment of General Aviation Pilot Performance During Simulated Flight

This web site provides access to an Australian Bureau of Air Safety Investigation (BASI)Research and Analysis Report (Grant – B2004/0242) written by Dr. Mark Wiggins and dated April 2006. This study was designed to create a dataset that captured the performance of general aviation pilots during a simulated flight from Wagga Wagga to Bankstown, NSW. A total of 34 pilots were tested, ranging in experience from 25 hours of total flying experience to 8500 hours of total flying experience. Each pilot was provided with a meteorological briefing, maps, and all the equipment necessary to conduct the flight as it would occur within the operational environment. The performance of pilots was assessed at three levels of analysis, the broadest of which involved pilots’ self-reports of their performance in general, and their performance during the flight. At a more detailed level, the performance of pilots was rated by an observer across each of the five legs of the flight. A number of dimensions of performance were assessed, including the accuracy with which the aircraft was controlled, the accuracy of track-keeping, the accuracy in maintaining the prescribed altitude, and the level of fatigue management. The final level of analysis involved objective data that were recorded throughout the flight by the flight simulator. Although the primary aim of the study was the collection of a dataset that captured performance, some comparative analyses were conducted, primarily to establish the basis for the differences in performance that were evident amongst pilots. Overall, the data indicated that performance during the flight was due less to pilots’ qualifications and recent experience and more to the stage of flight during which the assessment took place. Specifically, the final leg of the flight was associated with the greatest variability in performance and was associated with relatively poorer performance than the preceding stages of the flight. The results are discussed in terms of the impact of the nature of the task, and the impact of fatigue. [Taken from abstract]. The full text is available in PDF format so Adobe Acrobat software is required in order to read it.

Australian Aviation Safety in Review

This web site provides access to an Australian Transport Safety Bureau Research and Analysis Report published in March 2007. Each year the United States’ Aircraft Owner’s and Pilots Association (AOPA) Air Safety Foundation releases a report summarising the accident trends and factors for general aviation (GA) for the previous calendar year. The Nall Report has established itself as one of the aviation community’s benchmark reports and its release is anticipated across the industry. The report provides essential data in an easy-to-read format, giving a broad overview of the state of general aviation and safety trends in the US. As part of the Australian Transport Safety Bureau’s (ATSB) mission to enhance public awareness of aviation safety, the Australian Aviation Safety in Review – 2007 has been developed to provide a readily accessible analysis of the Australian aviation sector, with a strong focus on safety trends. Unlike the Nall Report, this publication covers all major categories of aircraft operations, from Regular Public Transport (RPT) to general aviation, and even some information about sports aviation. Additionally, some demographic data on Australian aviation is provided in order to measure the levels of aviation activity in Australia, and provide a context within which to examine the accident trends. Accident rates are presented both in terms of the number of accidents and as rates per 100,000 hours, to enable comparison between operational categories. The latest year for which flying hours are available is 2005. Accordingly, this inaugural edition of the Australian Aviation Safety in Review – 2007 covers the calendar years 2001 to 2005, offering insights and information about key trends and emerging issues. The ATSB intends to release this report on a regular basis as a means of informing both the aviation community and the wider public about Australian aviation accident and activity trends. [Taken from abstract]. The full text is available in PDF format so Adobe Acrobat software will be required in order to read it.

Avhome.com : The Aviation Home Page

This site contains nearly 8000 aviation links covering Air Transport Services (Airlines, Cargo, Charter), Airports, Government sites, Aircraft (Leasing, Manufacturing, Maintenance and Repair), Reference, Training, Flight Simulation, Organisations (Flying Clubs, Museums) as well as Events (Air Shows) and Hobbies (Model Aircraft). In addition there is a list of aircraft for sale and a variety of aircraft industry lookup tools.

Aviation Accident Statistics - National Transportation Safety Board

This web site provides access to a set of aviation accident statistics produced by the United States National Transportation Safety Board. These include: Summary of Air Carrier and General Aviation Accidents; U.S. Airline Accidents by NTSB Severity Classification; U.S. Airline Passenger Injuries and Injury Rates; U.S. Airline Aircraft Destroyed; U.S. Air Carriers Operating under 14 CFR 121, Scheduled and Nonscheduled Service (Airlines); U.S. Air Carriers Operating under 14 CFR 121, Scheduled Service (Airlines); U.S. Air Carriers Operating under 14 CFR 121, Nonscheduled Service (Airlines); U.S. Air Carriers Operating under 14 CFR 135, Scheduled Service (Commuter Air Carriers); U.S. Air Carriers Operating under 14 CFR 135, Nonscheduled Service (On Demand Air Taxis); U.S. General Aviation; and, Fatal Accidents Involving U.S. Air Carriers. Most of these tables include figures back to 1982. There are also listings of Accidents Involving Passenger Fatalities, 1983 - Present; Most Recent Monthly Statistics; Year-to-date chart; and Statistical Reports.

Aviation Crime Prevention Institute (ACPI)

ACPI is a non-profit organization dedicated to the elimination of aviation related crime through education of the aviation industry worldwide, cooperation between the aviation industry and law enforcement agencies; and communication of information and security procedures to all. The site contains a list of members, a description of ACPI services, and details of a number of databases and a newsletter, which are available for purchase. The site also provides access stolen aircraft alerts and to a list of commercial security devices and advice on how to dentify counterfeit avionics equipment.

Aviation Manpower Directory

The website allows you to search for international aviation employment. It is designed to bring quality trained Aviation personnel together with Employers. Job seekers can browse and apply for jobs, upload their CVs (free registration is required) or you can create a CV using the CV Wizard. The latest jobs can also be sent to your email address. Employers can register to post vacancies (there is a 30 day free trial) and search the database of resumes.

Aviation Safety Data Exchange

The Aviation Safety Data Exchange web site is sponsored by The Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) with data assistance from the FAA to provide a source of important Safety Information for General Aviation, Amateur Built and Ultralight Aircraft. Many of the service difficulty reports, which are available upon request, are those which have been submitted by individual aircraft owners/builders and are not available at other locations. The site includes daily accident reports; relevant FAA Advisory Circulars; Airworthiness Directives; Service Difficulty Reports; safety tips and notes, and a listing of amateur-built aircraft kits. There is also a link to NTSB and non-USA accident reports.

Aviation Safety Reporting System

This is a cooperative program established by the FAA, and administered by NASA. The ASRS collects, analyzes, and responds to voluntarily submitted aviation safety incident reports in order to lessen the likelihood of aviation accidents. ASRS data are used to: Identify deficiencies and discrepancies in the National Aviation System (NAS) so that these can be remedied by appropriate authorities; Support policy formulation and planning for, and improvements to, the NAS; Strengthen the foundation of aviation human factors safety research. The web site provides access to a range of information resources. There are twenty-seven ASRS Database Report Sets on topics of interest to the aviation community. Each Report Set consists of 50 ASRS Database records, preceeded by a note of introduction, caveats on use of ASRS data, and standard abbreviations and definitions used in ASRS Database records. ASRS produces two regular safety publications, CALLBACK and ASRS Directline. The site provides HTML and Adobe Acrobat versions of CALLBACK from December 1994 to present, and HTML and Adobe Acrobat versions of all ASRS Directline issues. The site also contains an ASRS programme overview and a more detailed briefing.

Aviation Safety Review 1990 - 1999

The site provides access to a Civil Aviation Authority Paper, CAP 701, prepared by the CAA Safety Regulation Group, October 2000. The paper presents a review of UK aviation safety over the last 10 years. The document is divided into a number of sections covering aeroplanes and helicopters, public transport and non-public transport operations, police, ambulance and rescue services, foreign aircraft in UK airspace, and gliders, microlights, gyroplanes, balloons and airships. The first section provides an international context, and examines accident and fatality trends worldwide. The text of the document is available in PDF format.

Aviation Terms Glossary

This is an A-Z list of aviation acronyms and abbreviations provided by Key Publishing Ltd

Aviation Week : Aerospace Source Book

This provides brief company profiles of aviation and aerospace companies grouped under the following headings: Prime Contractors; Major Airlines; Regional Airlines; and Cargo Airlines. The profiles can be viewed online in PDF format. The Aerospace Sourcebook also provides access to a series of articles which examine various market sectors including fighters, bombers, commercial and military transports, air freight, UAVs, trainers, rotorcraft, spacecraft, missiles, and avionics. The information is drawn from Aviation Week & Space Technology.

Avoidable Accidents : No. 1 Low-level flying

This provides access to an Australian Transport Safety Bureau, Research and Analysis Report dated March 2010. This publication is the first in a pilot education series by the Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) on avoidable accidents. In this report, we will focus on accidents involving unnecessary and unauthorised low flying; that is, flying lower than 1,000 ft (for a populous area) or 500 ft (for any other area) above ground level without approval from the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA). Between 1999 and 2008, there were 147 fatal accidents in Australia reported to the ATSB involving aerial work, flying training, private, business, sport and recreational flying. Of those fatal accidents, at least six were associated with unauthorised, and unnecessary, low flying. Those six accidents, along with a seventh non-fatal accident, presented here as case studies, were chosen by aviation safety investigators at the ATSB to highlight the inherent dangers of unauthorised low flying and to offer some lessons learnt from each case. It is hoped that these lessons learnt will help pilots make more accurate risk assessments and better decisions before electing to fly at low levels. At low altitudes, there are many obstacles to avoid and there is a lower margin for error. Recognising the risks and hazards of low-level flying, CASA requires pilots to receive special training and endorsements before they can legally conduct low-level flying. In the accidents below, most of the pilots had neither of these, and none had a legitimate reason to be flying below 500 ft. Some legitimate reasons for flying at low level include aerial stock mustering, crop spraying, and fire fighting operations. For most private pilots, there is generally no reason to fly at low levels, except during takeoff and landing, conducting a forced or precautionary landing, or to avoid adverse weather conditions.What is sad and unfortunate about the accidents described in the following case studies is that they were all avoidable. [Taken from abstract]. The full text is available in PDF format so Adobe Acrobat software is required in order to read it.

Beneath the Tip of the Iceberg: A Human Factors Analysis of General Aviation Accidents in Alaska Versus the Rest of the United States

This technical report (DOT/FAA/AM-6/7) was produced by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Office of Aerospace Medicine in March 2006 and was written by C. A. Detwiler, C. A. Hackworth, K. A. Holcomb, A. J. Boquet, E. Pflederer, D. A. Wiegmann and S. A. Shappell. Historically, general aviation (GA) accidents have been overlooked and their impact under-appreciated when compared with those in the commercial or military sector. Recently however, the Federal Aviation Administration and other governmental and civilian organizations have focused their attention on one piece of this proverbial "iceberg," that being GA accidents occurring in Alaska. [Taken from abstract]. This is a PDF file, so Adobe Acrobat software will be required in order to read it.

Boeing 777

This 777 'family' home website provides background information on the Boeing 777, there is also a multimedia section with video's and photo's and 'virtual tours' of the cockpit and interior, techinical specifications and information on markets - which includes orders, deliveries and reports.

CAP 382 : Mandatory Occurrence Reporting Scheme : Information and Guidance

This provides access to a UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) document, Civil Aviation Paper CAP 382, 8th edition, October 2009. The purpose of this publication is to describe the CAA's Mandatory Occurence Reporting (MOR) Scheme and to provide guidance to those who, by the associated legislation, are involved in its operation. The overall objective of the CAA in operating the MOR scheme is to improve the level of flight safety and not to attribute blame. The text of CAP 382 is available in PDF format (334 kb), from the CAA's web site.

CAP 403 : Flying Displays and Special Events : A Guide to Safety and Administrative Arrangements

This provides access to a UK Civil Aviation Authority Publication Civil Aviation Paper CAP 403, 12th edition dated March 2010. This publication sets out the safety and administrative procedures to be followed by the organisers and participants ofcivil flying displays and special events in the UK. The full text is available in PDF format (531 kb) from the CAA's publications web site.

CAP 413 : Supplement 3: A Reference Guide to UK Phraseology for General Aviation Pilots

This provides access to a Uk Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) publication dated October 2009. A supplement to CAA Radiotelephony Guide CAP 413, aimed at General Aviation Pilots, in the form of an interactive quick reference to the UK phraseology most commonly used in General Aviation operations. The supplement covers arriving at and departing from aerodromes, cross country flight, operating at unattended aerodromes, instrument approaches and emergency messages. [Taken from abstract]. The full text is available in PDF format so Adobe Acrobat software is requiredin order to read it.

CAP 482 : BCAR Section S - Small Light Aeroplanes

This provides access to a UK Civil Aviation Authority Publication Civil Aviation Paper CAP 482, Issue 4 dated 31st January, 2008. CAP 482 comprises of the minimum requirements and constitutes the basis for the issue of Permits to Fly for small light aeroplanes. The text is available in PDF format (408 kb) from the CAA's publications web site.

CAP 632 : Operation of 'Permit-to-Fly' Ex-Military Aircraft on the UK Register

This provides access to a UK Civil Aviation Authority publication, Civil Aviation Paper CAP 632. This is an amendment to the fourth edition dated March 2009. This CAP specifies the operational requirements that an applicant for the issue of a Permit-to-Fly for an ex-military aircraft is required to meet. The maintenance requirements are set out in BCAR Chapters A3-7, and A8-20. Specific provisions need to be met prior to the issue of the documentation, and a minimum operational and technical framework must remain in place for the Permit-to-Fly to remain valid. {Taken from abstract]. The full text is available in PDF format so Adobe Acrobat software is required in order to read it.

CAP 643 : BCAR Section T

This provides access to a UK Civil Aviation Authority Publication Civil Aviation Paper CAP 643, Issue 3, 12 August 2005. It comprises of the minimum requirements and constitutes the basis for the issue of Permits to fly for Light Gyroplanes. The text is available in PDF format (288 kb) from the CAA's publications web site.

CAP 754: UK Regional Air Services - a Study by the Civil Aviation Authority

This study shows the development of UK regional air services over the last 10�20 years. It is based on statistical data collected by the CAA from UK airlines and airports, and on interviews with representatives of regional airlines, airports and regional bodies. The report reveals UK regional air services to be in general in a good state of health, and to have enjoyed a period of substantial and sustained growth over the period examined. It is available in PDF (852kb) format.

CAP 773 : Flying RNAV (GNSS) Non-Precision Approaches in Private and General Aviation

This provides access to a UK Civil Aviation Authority publication CAP 773 Edition 1 dated 1st August 2007. Information on the training for and operational use of GPS in the flying of RNAV (GNSS) non-precision approaches. The document contains technical information on the function of GPS, equipment and installation requirements, operations and training guidance material together with suggested training syllabus content and RTF Phraseology. [Taken from abstract]. The full text is available in PDF format from the CAA's publications web site.

CAP 775 Air Services at UK Regional Airports : an Update on Developments

This provides access to a UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) Cap 775 dated November 2007. This study describes the latest developments in UK regional air services. It updates an earlier study by the CAA published in February 2005 (CAP 754 UK Regional Air Services). [Taken from abstract]. The full text is available in PDF format so Adobe Acrobat software is required in order to read it.

Chris Heintz Design College

This web site brings together a number of full text articles that deal with various aspects of light aircraft design. Fourteen of the articles were published in the Experimental Aircraft Association's (EAA) Light Plane World or Experimenter publications. The topics covered include: light aircraft materials and their properties; flight and performance testing; riveted joints; airfoils; pitch, stability and control; control surfaces; determining weight and balance; and STOL aircraft design. The author, Chris Heintz, is resonsible for the design of a range of kit aircraft for the Zenith Aircraft Company.

Civil Aviation Authority : Aircraft Registration

The Aircraft Registration Section of the United Kingdom's Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) is responsible for maintaining The UK Register of Civil Aircraft; The UK Register of Aircraft Mortgages, and The Registers of Births, Deaths and Missing Persons on UK Registered Aircraft. The Section is also responsible for the provision of information and statistics from these registers and the databases used to support them. The web site provides a link to G-INFO: The Aircraft Register Database. The UK Register of Civil Aircraft currently holds details of over 16,000 currently registered aircraft (42,000 aircraft in total). On an annual basis there are changes of registered information to approximately 30% of the currently registered aircraft. G-INFO is a database extract taken directly from the United Kingdom Register of Civil Aircraft and other data sources maintained by the Civil Aviation Authority. The information held on G-INFO is updated nightly from the UK Register of Civil Aircraft. The site Aircraft Registration site also provides access to Aircraft Registration Statistics. These include the Total number of UK registered aircraft as at 1st January since 1985 by aircraft class and weight group; Pie chart by aircraft class of UK Registered aircraft; and Total number of UK Registered aircraft broken down by Certificate of Airworthiness Category, aircraft class and weight group.

Civil Aviation Authority : Safety Regulation Group

This is the home page of the UK Civil Aviation Authority's (CAA) Safety Regulation Group. The Group's role is to set safety standards and ensure that they are adhered to. The site provides news updates, background information on the activities of the Group, and information on personnel licensing in particular. This provides customers with information about flight crew licences, aircraft maintenance engineer licenses and medical certificates. It is possible to view the full text of documentation relating to these licences and certificates.

Civil Aviation Department Hong Kong (CAD)

The CAD is responsible for the safe operation and regulation of the air transport system in Hong Kong. The site provides background information on the CAD's mission, values, and organisational structure, and includes a corporate video (requires RealPlayer 8 or above). Information on the site is arranged under a series of headings: topical issues, such as security, aircraft noise management, air traffic control safety, aircraft registration and licence and certificates; publications and press releases; which includes Airworthiness Requirement and Aircraft Accident Reports; Facts and Statistics, including air traffic statistics; Public Services; Recruitment; Tender Notices; FAQ; Links and Photo Gallery. The Hong Kong Aeronautical Publication is available online with amendments, and there are also descriptions of the various courses offered by the Hong Kong Civil Aviation Training Center.

Compilation of Accident statistics in General Aviation for the Period 1997-2005 for Aircraft with a Maximum Mass of 2 250 Kg

These statistics have been compiled by the Secretariat of the European Civil Aviation Conference (ECAC) dated 22nd November 2006 as presented at ACC/24 meeting. The data collected from the different Forms are presented in the different spreadsheets providing figures for the 3 categories of aircraft (aeroplanes, helicopters and gliders). The download is available in Excel format.

Compilation of Statistic Accidents in General Aviation for 2003 with a comparison with the years 2001 and 2002

These statistics have been compiled by the the Secretariat of the European Civil Aviation Conference (ECAC), 2004. The publication of these statistics follows the circulation of a questionnaire (State letter EC 9/14.5/6.24-0460 of 3 June 2004) to collect statistics concerning aircraft with a maximum mass of 2,250 Kg for the year 2003. The compilation of accident statistics for that year is presented with a comparison for 2001 and 2002. The data is reported in a series of tables. Accidents and their consequences: data are presented per aircraft type (i.e. aeroplanes, helicopters and gliders). Accidents per flight phase: data are presented per aircraft. Casualties per flight phase data from are presented per aircraft type. Causal factors data are reproduced in Attachment 4 and Remarks/Deviations which have been reported by Member States are reported in Attachment 5. The text is available in PDF format.

Compilation of Statistic Accidents in General Aviation for 2004 With a Comparison With the Years 2002 and 2003

Further to the circulation of the questionnaire (State letter EC 9/14.5/6.25-0469 of 17 May 2005) to collect statistics concerning aircraft with a maximum mass of 2 250 Kg for the year 2004, the Secretariat has prepared a compilation of accident statistics for that year with a comparison with the years 2002 and 2003. A related document 'Compilation of Accidents Statistics 1997-2004 as presented at the ACC/23 meeting' is also available. The text is available in PDF format from the ECAC website.

Consultation on the Limited Deregulation of Single Seat Microlights Below 115 Kgs.

This provides access to a UK Civil Aviation Authority consultation document dated October 2006 and includes responses to the consultation published April 2007. Safety and noise regulation of UK microlights was introduced in stages in the early 1980's. Since 1988 the number of single seat microlights in the UK has fallen to around 500. Fewer than 140 now have a permit to fly. This paper sought views on whether single-seat microlights below 115kgs empty weight should be exempted from UK airworthiness requirements only, and invited comments on a draft amendment to the Air Navigation Order to this effect at Annex E. All other safety requirements would remain in place. Comments on the impact of the proposal on pilots with a disability relating to their mobility, were also invited, as there had been a number of cases where requests had been made for exemption from the 70kg weight limit imposed by the law on foot launched microlights to allow the fitting of a tricycle undercarriage and seat to the basic structure. These requests have always been turned down as the CAA has preferred to assist disabled persons by approving modifications to allow them to fly, rather than exempting a particular class of aircraft. [Taken from abstract]. The full text is available in PDF format so Adobe Acrobat software will be required in order to read it.

Current Procedures for Collecting and Reporting U.S. General Aviation Accident and Activity Data

This is a National Transportation Safety Board Safety Report NTSB/SR-05/02, April 29, 2005. Unlike Part 121 and scheduled Part 135 air carriers, general aviation operators and on-demand Part 135 operators (air taxis) are not required to report actual flight activity data to DOT. Instead, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) uses its annual General Aviation and Air Taxi Activity (GAATA) Survey to query a sample of registered aircraft owners, either through the Internet or by mail. The National Transportation Safety Board and others rely on GAATA Survey activity estimates to calculate accident rates and statistics that form the basis for assessing general aviation safety in the United States. Congress, government agencies, the aviation industry, and other researchers frequently cite accident rates when evaluating the need for safety initiatives. Valid activity data are necessary to compare the accident rates for different aircraft types and types of operations, to establish baseline measures that can be used to identify and track accident trends, and to assess the effectiveness of safety improvement efforts. Because of a critical need for accurate activity measures, and the perception of possible problems with current general aviation activity estimates, the Safety Board analyzed several general aviation exposure measures to determine the relationship of trends over time. The results of that analysis are included in this report. The full text of the document is available in PDF format.

Department of Trade and Industry : Industries and Sectors : Aerospace and Defence

This site describes the activities of the aerospace and defence sector team in the DTI's Business Group, which is split into 5 teams - airframes, engines and equipment, defence, technology, regional and supply chain issues and scheme delivery. It also gives information on Technology Partnerships in Aeronautics, the SBAC (Society of British Aerospace Companies) Masters Engineers Programme, the SBAC Competitiveness Challenge, launch investment for civil programmes and the Export Opportunities Service.

Display of Nationality and Registration Marks on Aircraft : Guidance for Owners

This link provides access to UK Civil Aviation Authority publication Civil Aviation Paper CAP 523, 8th edition, 5th February 2002. The document reproduces Schedule 2, Part B of the Air Navigation Order, 2000 as amended and gives advice on interpreting the requirements on registration markings. The text of the document is available in PDF format (949 kb).

Effect of JAR-FCL on General Aviation Safety

This provides access to a UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) document 2007/05 dated July 2007. After the introduction of the Joint Aviation Requirement for Flight Crew Licensing (JAR-FCL) in 1999, the revalidation requirements for pilot licences experienced significant change. This Paper initially summarises these revalidation changes for various ratings. Two sets of data, before and after the introduction of JAR-FCL, are then examined, in order to establish whether its introduction has had any effect on the number of serious incidents and accidents in General Aviation for fixed wing aeroplanes and microlights, with a MTOW < 5,700 kg, particularly focusing on training related issues (experience, recency and training). [Taken from abstract]. The full text of the paper is available in PDF format from the CAA web site.

Epidemiology of Toxicological Factors in Civil Aviation Accident Pilot Fatalities, 1999-2003

This technical report (DOT/FAA/AM-05/20) was produced by the Federal Aviation Administration's (FAA) Office of Aerospace Medicine in November 2005 and was written by Arvind K. Chaturvedi, Kristi J. Craft, Dennis V. Canfield and James E. Whinnery. Prevalence of drug and ethanol use in aviation is monitored by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). Under such monitoring, epidemiological studies for the 1989-1993 and 1994-1998 periods indicated lower percentages of the presence of illegal (abused) drugs than that of prescription and nonprescription drugs in aviation accident pilot fatalities. In continuation of these studies, an epidemiological assessment was made for an additional period of 5 years. [Taken from abstract]. This is a PDF file, so Adobe Acrobat software will be required in order to read it.

ETOPS FAQs

This section of the 'Ask Captain Lim' website examines the issues facing ETOPS (Extended-Range Twin-Engine Operations) especially in relation to the Boeing 777 and Airbus 340 debate.

ETOPS Mania

Kenneth Cubbin reviews the arguments for and against Extended-Range Twin-Engine Operations (ETOPS) in the AVweb article from August 2000. Until recently, two-engine airliners were restricted to routes that put them within 180 minutes of an alternate in case of an engine failure. But Boeing and ALPA are pushing hard to increase this limit to 240 minutes to allow aging four-engine 747s to be replaced with long-range two-engine 777s, while Airbus and the Allied Pilots Association are arguing against such a move. Caught in the crossfire, the FAA has provisionally increased the limit to 207 minutes while it mulls over a permanent rule change.

European Aviation Safety Agency : Enviornmental Protection

Part of the mandate of EASA is to promote a high, uniform level of environmental protection for European citizens. Environmental Protection is therefore an integral part of EASA's general structure of rules and regulations which aim to mitigate the negative impacts of the civil aviation industry. On these EASA environment pages you will find: Rulemaking Environmental Activities, Certification Environmental Activities, Overview of EU Emissions Trading Scheme, Environmental Challenges, Other useful Environmental links.

FAA Office of Accident Investigation : Preliminary Aviation Incident Reports

Preliminary Aviation Incident Reports produced by the Federal Aviation Administration's Office of Accident Investigation. The web site presents the data in tabular format. It provides access to 10 days of preliminary accident data and incident data organised into several categories, including: All Aircraft Accidents, Fatal and Serious Injuries, All General Aviation, All Helicopters, and by aircraft manufacturer. The 10 days of data is also available in dbf format (dBase and FoxPro) for downloading and use in databases or spreadsheets.

Federal Aviation Administration : Aviation Policy, Planning and Environment (AEP)

Within the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) the AEP is responsible for national aviation policies and strategies in the environment and energy arenas, including aviation activity forecasts, economic analyses, aircraft noise and emissions research and policy, environmental policy, aviation insurance and employee safety and health. The Office of Aviation Policy and Plans develops policies, goals and priorities, forecasts future aviation technology and demand and analyzes the economic impact of regulations; and the Office of Environment and Energy develops, recommends, and coordinates national aviation policy relating to environmental and energy matters, which includes noise and emissions. The site provides access to regulatory documents relating to noise levels for U.S. certificated and foreign aircraft, to estimated aircraft noise levels in a-weighted decibels; and to the Airport Noise Compatibility Planning Toolkit. The site includes links to information on environmental issues and to related policy and guidance documents covering contrails, emissions, air pollutants, and noise abatement. One section of the site is specifically devoted to supersonic aircraft noise including presentations from the 2003 Civil Supersonic Aircraft Technical Workshop. Other sections of the site provide information on key officials, partnership programmes, noise and emissions models, and the The Airport and Airway Trust Fund (AATF).

Federal Aviation Administration : Flight Standards Service

The FAA's Flight Standards Service promotes safe air transportation by setting the standards for certification and oversight of airmen, air operators, air agencies, and designees. It also promote safety of flight of civil aircraft and air commerce by accomplishing certification, inspection, surveillance, investigation, and enforcement; Setting regulations and standards; and managing the system for registration of civil aircraft and all airmen records. The site provides links to various flight standards programmes including: Air Transportation Oversight System (ATOS), Aviation Safety Action Program (ASAP), Aviation Safety and Health Program (ASHP), Cabin Safety, FAA Safety Program, International Aviation Assessments Program National Simulator Program, System Approach for Safety Oversight (SASO), and the Whistleblower Protection Program. The site also provides links to the component divisions: Air Transportation; Aircraft Maintenance; Flight Technologies and Procedures; General Aviation and Commercial; and Regulatory Support. A link is alsol provided to the Civil Aviation Registry which is responsible for developing, maintaining, and operating national programmes for the registration of United States civil aircraft and certification of airmen.

Federation Aeronautique Internationale (FAI)

Founded in 1905, the Federation Aeronautique Internationale (FAI), is the world's air sports federation. It has a number of functions including: the establishment of rules for the control and certification of world aeronautical and astronautical records; devising regulations for air sporting events; and the promotion of skill, proficiency and safety in aeronautics. The web site brings together a range of information sources including news, events, mailing lists and discussion forums. Within the framework of FAI, each air sport has an International Commission which is responsible for making the rules for competitions and which generally oversees the activies of their particular air sport. Each of the Commissions have their own sections of the web site, and these cover: ballooning (and airships); general aviation; gliding; hang gliding; aeromodeling; parachuting; aerobatics; astronautic records; human powered flight; microlight; paragliding; and rotorcraft. There are also a series of technical commissions including: aviation and space education; amateur built and experimental aircraft; air sports medicine (Comission Internationale Medico-Physiologique - CIMP); and the environment. There is a documents area which contains copies of key policy documents including the FAI's Anti-Doping Rules and Procedures, the Strategic Plan, and Code of Ethics. The site also provides access to the FAI's journal, Air Sports International.

Fixed and Rotary-Wing Aircraft Accidents Involving Private Operations

This provides access to an Australian Transport Safety Bureau Research and Analysis Report B20070099 dated June 2007. This study provides an overview of accidents involving private aircraft operations between 2001and 2005. With approximately 400,000 flying hours conducted annually, private flying accounts for around a quarter of general aviation activity. Within private operations, rotary-wing activitynow contributes about 10 per cent of all hours flown. The accident rate in private aviation activities generally declined over the five-year study period, but the fatal accident rate for fixed-wing aircraft remained generally stable. There was an apparent increase in the rotary-wing fatal accident rate.The pattern of accident types showed similarities for both fixed-wing and rotary-wing aircraft. Most accidents can be classified against a small number of accident types: collisions, loss of aircraft control, airframe, and powerplant issues. Additionally, collision accidents and those involving a loss of aircraft control account for most of the fatal accidents. Differences between fixed-wing and rotary-wing aircraft occurrences are more apparent when accidents are examined by phase of flight. More than half of all fixed-wing accidents occur in the landing phase of flight, but manoeuvring and cruise are among the most common phases of flight for accidents involving rotary-wing aircraft. These phases of flight are also associated with fatal accidents. [Taken from abstract]. The full text is available in PDF format so Adobe Acrobat software is required in order to read it.

Flight Information Service and the FISO Licence

This provides access to a UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) document, Civil Aviation Paper CAP 427, 5th edition, May 1999. A Flight Information Service (FIS) is an Air Traffic Service provided either separately, or in conjunction with other services, for the purpose of supplying information useful for the safe and efficient conduct of flights. The purpose of CAP 427 is to assist providers of Air Traffic Services from Area Control Centres (ACCs) and aerodrome authorities who are considering the establishment of an FIS unit, and to offer guidance to applicants for, and holders of, the Flight Information Service Officers (FISO) licence. The text of the document is available in PDF format (107kb), from the CAA's web site.

Flight Planning Data (CPL Exam)

This provides access to a UK Civil Aviation Authority Publication Civil Aviation Paper CAP 402, 1st edition, produced in January 1977 (reprinted May 2002). CAP 402 contains the flight planning data used in the Commercial Pilot's Licence Examination. The text is available in PDF format (38 kb) from the CAA's publications web site.

Flight Safety Australia

The full-text (in PDF format) either of the whole issue and back-issues or individual articles are available from this website. It is published bi-monthly by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) of the Australian Government and is also available as a hard-copy subscription free of charge to people in Australia who are involed or interested in aviation. It is also available in hard-copy for a small charge to those living outside of Australia.

Flightglobal.com

This is the website of Flight International, Airline Business, ACAS, Air Transport Intelligence (ATI) and The Flight Collection. It provides jobs, blogs, and primarily industry news. It is a large site and much of the content is to be found behind the browse links on the left of the page. These links are: aircraft, air transport, airlines, defence, safety, UAVs, helicopters, business and GA, maintenance, and spaceflight. The site contains the content of the current issues of Flight International and Airline Business as soon as it is published along with searchable archives going back to 1996 which are accessible to all. It also covers worldwide major air shows (Paris, Dubai, Asian Aerospace, and Farnborough) and produces daily newspapers during these events. There are three versions of the site - global, professional and expert.

Flyer Air Portal

Flyer Air Portal is a UK based commercial directory and news service which is aimed primarily at the general aviation community. The site provides access to a variety of information resources. There is a mailing list, electronic discussion forum, news of forthcoming events, a classified advertisements section, details of the Flyer magazine, links to other aviation related sites and general aviation news. There is also a features section, a Frequently Asked Questions, as well as UK and overseas aviation news stories.

Forensic Identification of Aviation Bird Strikes in Australia

This web site provides access to an Australian Bureau of Air Safety Investigation Research and Analysis Report Grant_20050117 written by Leslie Christidis ...[et al] dated June 2006. The aim of this study was to investigate the feasibility of forensic DNA-based techniques in identifying species involved in Australian aviation bird strikes. Experimental bird tissues were subjected to severely damaging conditions to determine if DNA could be extracted from these samples. In addition, DNA and feather microscopy databanks were created from the species classified as being the highest risk for strikes to provide reference data to compare against unknown samples. Finally, a DNA sampling kit was created and distributed widely to aerodromes across Australia for collection of material from unknown strikes for DNA analysis. Results of experimental bird tissue experiments showed the most detrimental conditions for DNA were to leave a sample at room temperature for 7+ days. DNA was successfully extracted from all strike samples collected with sampling kits then returned to the laboratory and positive identifications were able to be made to species level in the majority of cases. Interestingly, it was found that attempts at visual species identification were often incorrect and that the putative high risk species were only responsible for 27 per cent of the unidentified strikes. In general, we found DNA identification of strike species to be a reliable method for identifying the species involved in collisions and conclude that it would be a useful addition to the methods already employed to identify wildlife strikes at civilian aerodromes. [Taken from abstract]. The full text is available in PDF format so Adobe Acrobat software will be required in order to read it.

Future fuels for aviation

This is Research and Technology Organization (RTO) AGARD-AR-93 , dated January 1976. The fuel supply outlook within the NATO nations is considered. Hydrocarbon fuels, alternate fuels as well as specification changes for fuels and changes in aircraft design and operation are discussed. Recommendations for future programs are included. Bibliographic and abstract details are available in HTML format. A table of contents, and the full text (7.10MB) of the document can be accessed online in PDF format. The document is contained in the RTO's Full Text Publication Library.

General Aviation : An Industry Overview

This is Australian Bureau of Transport and Regional Economics (BTRE) report, BTRE Report 111, prepared by Russell Thomson with assistance from Mark Cregan and John Streeter, published April 2005. This report sets out to profile the general aviation industry, describe trends in industry activity, and as far as possible explain these trends. The report is primarily based on survey data from the BTRE’s annual General Aviation Survey and CASA, as well as industry consultation. The text of the report is available in PDF format (2970 Kb) from the BTRE's web site.

General Aviation Awareness Council

The UK General Aviation (GA) associations, supported by commercial and professional bodies, have established the General Aviation Awareness Council (GAAC) to try to ensure that GA activity in the UK does not decline, while elsewhere, particularly in Europe, its expansion - whether in business flying, pilot training, sport, recreation or other forms - is publicly and privately encouraged. The objectives of the Council are: to EXPLAIN the nature of the GA Industry; to PROMOTE its purpose and value; to PROTECT its facilities (e.g. aerodromes) and to ENSURE its future. This website provides links to relevant reports and provides information, including a series of Fact Sheets with advice on applying for planning permission and environmental matters, and a newsletter archive with the facility to sign-up to recieve the latest newsletters free of charge.

General Aviation in the European Community

This report is published through the European Commission (EC) Transport website dated 1st of January 2007. The aim of this paper is to identify certain issues for the sole purpose of discussion with the interested stakeholders. It does not prejudge on any decision that the European Commission may take in the future. Presents the current state of General Aviation in the European Community along with recent developments in this sector. Analyses the role that General Aviation plays in economic and social life of European Citizens as well as interactions between General Aviation and commercial public air transport sector.Analyses the impact of General Aviation on the capacity of the European air transportation system and environment as well as specific needs of this sector as far as access to airports and airspace is concerned. Finally, presents an overview of the Community aviation regulatory environment relevant to the General Aviation and indicates issues that may need to be addressed in more detail in the future. Particular attention is given in this respect to the specific issue of definitions and new business models that raise questions as to their legal nature.

General Aviation Lightning Strike Report and Protection Level Study

This provides access to a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) report DOT/FAA AR-04/13 by J.B. O�Loughlin and S.R. Skinner dated August 2004. This report analyzed 95 lightning strike reports from general aviation business jet aircraft that occurred over a 5-year period. The analyses was conducted to determine which variables most affect the severity of indirect lightning effects damage of in-service aircraft and their systems and to assess the effect of the level of lightning and High-Intensity Radiated Fields (HIRF) protection design and implementation. After validating the data, three variables were studied with respect to lightning damage: aircraft age, aircraft flight hours, and the level of lightning and HIRF protection. The level of protection for each aircraft model in the database was categorized as no protection, avionics protection, or full protection. The study found that fully protected aircraft had a significantly lower percentage of electrical failure and interference due to lightning strikes when compared to aircraft with no protection or only avionics protection. The number of electrical failures reported did not increase over the age of the aircraft. [Taken from abstract]. The full text of the report is available in PDF format from the online catalogue of the FAA William J. Hughes Technical Center Library.

General Aviation Pilot Behaviours in the Face of Adverse Weather

This web site provides access to an Australian Transport Safety Bureau Research and Analysis Report (B2005/0127) by Richard Batt and David O'Hare dated June 2005. Weather-related general aviation accidents remain one of the most significant causes for concern in aviation safety. Previous studies into the factors associated with weather-related general aviation occurrences have typically compared accident and non-accident cases. In contrast, this study does not concentrate on occurrence outcome. Instead, the emphasis is on the different behaviours that pilots exhibit in the face of adverse weather and, by inference, on the decision making processes that underlie those behaviours. The work of this study is based on a set of 491 aviation accident and incident reports drawn from the Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) occurrence database. The study compares three groups of pilots who differed in their response to adverse weather conditions encountered during their flight. [Taken from abstract]. The full text of the report is available in PDF format and is provided by the Australian Transport Safety Bureau web site.

General Aviation Security: Increased Federal Oversight Is Needed, but Continued Partnership with the Private Sector Is Critical to Long-Term Success

This technical report (GAO-05-144)was published by the United States General Accounting Office dated November 2004. Federal intelligence agencies have reported that in the past, terrorists have considered using general aviation aircraft (all aviation other than commercial and military) for terrorist acts, and that the September 11th terrorists learned to fly at general aviation flight schools. The questions GAO answered regarding the status of general aviation security included (1) What actions has the federal government taken to identify and assess threats to, and vulnerabilities of, general aviation; and communicate that information to stakeholders? (2) What steps has the federal government taken to strengthen general aviation security, and what, if any, challenges does the government face; and (3) What steps have non-federal stakeholders taken to enhance the security of general aviation? The full text is available in PDF format so Adobe Acrobat software is required in order to read it.

Global Aviation Navigator

Global Aviation Navigatior (GAN) is a commercial aviation directory service. Entries in the directory are arranged under the following headings: Airports; Avionics; Charter, Brokers/Dealers; FAA; FBO - Aviation Handlers; Finance; Flight Schools; Insurance; Maintenance; Manufacturing; New Links; Other Services; Parts; Pilot services; Bookstore; Reservations and Weather. The site also features a calendar of forthcoming events, discussion forums on Corporate and General Aviation, and a classified advertisements section.

Going the Distance : Boeing 777 200LR WorldLiner

This 'Flash' website provides information on the Boeing 777-200LR and the 777 family which claims to be able to fly farther, faster and with more efficiency than any other of its kind. There are links to information about the GE 90 Turbofan as well as the 777 'world tour' (Going the Distance), press releases and information about the 777 family.

Guidance Notes for Accreditation Standards for CRM Instructors and CRM Instructor Examiners

This provides access to a UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) Standards document No.29 dated October 2006. In the early years of aviation the main cause of accidents was attributed to technical defects. However as the reliability of aircraft improved it became apparent that the proportion of accidents attributed to non technical causes was increasing. Crew Resource Management (CRM) was developed as a result of accident analysis and information from Flight Data and Voice Recorders which indicated that many accidents were caused by the flight crew responding inappropriately to a particular situation. [Taken from abstract]. The full text is available in PDF format so Adobe Acrobat software will be required in order to read it.

Hazard Identification and Risk Assessment in Title 14 CFR Part 137 Operations

This provides access to a US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) technical report DOT/FAA/AR-08/15 written by Soncere Woodford, Steve Hall and Jeffrey Brasher dated August 2008. A task was recently awarded under contract DTFA03-00-D-00019 to support the Risk Management Decision Support for the General Aviation (GA) Research and Development Program. The purpose of this task is to provide research, project planning, and program support to accomplish task GA-03, which involves Hazard Identification and Risk Assessment. Two main elements are specified in the GA-03 task: hazard identification and risk assessment. This report focused on the identification of high-risk accident and incident events and used subject matter experts’ (SME) input to construct the chain of hazards that lead to such events. SMEs also identified certificate holder characteristics, risk indicators, and risk controls that influence the likelihood of these events. Likelihood values were assigned to each hazard chain allowing for the computation of risk. This report lays the foundation for a system safety measurement model, which will use information gathered from certificate holders to estimate the risk to safety that each certificate holder poses. The identification of risk controls, risk indicators, and certificate holder factors provide Federal Aviation Administration inspectors with specific guidelines relating to hazard identification when performing a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 137 inspection. [Taken from abstract]. The full text is available in PDF format so Adobe ACrobat software is required in order to read it.

Heading ETOPS

This full-text article (in PDF format) from Flight Safety Australia, January-February 2002, pp 40-43, written by Harry Kinnison talks about how ETOPS (Extended-Range Twin-Engines Operations) have become common practice from which airlines are making money by maintaining their aircraft to higher standards.

Human Error and General Aviation Accidents: A Comprehensive, Fine-Grained Analysis Using HFACS

This technical report (DOT/FAA/AM-5/24) was published by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Office of Aerospace Medicine in December 2005 and was written by D. Wiegmann, T. Faaborg, A. Boquet, C. Detwiler, K. Holcomb and S. Shappell. The Human Factors Analysis and Classification System (HFACS) is a theoretically based tool for investigating and analyzing human error associated with accidents and incidents. Previous research performed at both the University of Illinois and the Civil Aerospace Medical Institute has successfully shown that HFACS can be reliably used to analyze the underlying human causes of both commercial and general aviation (GA) accidents. [Taken from abstract]. This is a PDF file, so Adobe Acrobat software will be required in order to read it.

Human Factors Requirements for En Route Controller Weather Displays

This provides access to a US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) technical report DOT/FAA/TC-08/1 written by Ulf Ahlstrom and dated April 2008. Adverse weather conditions affect flight operations, overall, but are especially hazardous to general aviation (GA) aircraft. Theprimary weather hazards are icing, convective activity (i.e., thunderstorms), and reductions in ceiling/visibility. Because ofinformation shortcomings in current en route operations, this research proposes weather display concepts for convective activity,ceiling/visibility, and icing information that meet controller needs. Our weather displays do this by providing operationally usefulinformation that effectively enables the controller to transfer hazard information to the pilot. In addition to the weather displays, ourconcept involves an automated support system that tracks GA aircraft and hazardous weather areas. When the automated systemdetects a future conflict with an aircraft and a hazardous weather region (i.e., no-go area), the system alerts the controller about theaircraft and the hazard. Once alerted, the controller can either inform the pilot about the location and extent of the hazard (therebyenhancing cockpit decision making) or the controller can execute necessary weather avoidance actions. Taken together, the weatherdisplays and automation support tool could work towards a reduction in weather-related GA accidents and provide information thatenhances cockpit decision making. [Taken from abstract]. The full text is available in PDF format so Adobe Acrobat software is required in order to read it.

Impact of Training on General Aviation Pilots' Ability to Make Strategic Weather-Related Decisions

This provides access to a U.S. FAA Office of Aerospace Medicine Report No: DOT/FAA/AM-08/3 dated February 2008. Inadvertent flight into hazardous weather can have devastating results for general aviation pilots (NTSB, 2005; Goh and Wiegmann, 2001). In fact, weather is the leading cause of fatalities in general aviation. The purpose of this study was to determine if a graphical weather display combined with an instructional training paradigm could improve pilots’ ability to maintain a safe flying distance from convective thunderstorm activity. Previous research suggested that giving pilots the ability to see accurately the weather they are flying in and around may tempt some pilots to try to fly through small breaks in the convective activity. Indeed, Beringer and Ball (2004) found that pilots using graphical weather could be classified into two types of users (tactical vs. strategic). Tactical users were those pilots who used the information to try and navigate through or very close to the hazardous weather. Strategic users were those pilots who used the graphical information to plan and maintain a safe distance (20 nautical miles or greater) from the storm. An instructional slide presentation based on the Aeronautical Information Manual (AIM, 7-1-27) guidelines was developed with the intent of modifying the behavior of users classified as “tactical.” Fifty-seven general aviation pilots were evaluated on a low-visibility visual flight rules (VFR) scenario where they encountered an encroaching thunderstorm traversing their flight plan. The pilots were separated into two groups, tactical or strategic users, according to how they responded to a simulated scenario of a VFR flight using a graphical weather display. Half of the pilots in each group then received training to see if it would decrease the incidence of tactical usage. Additionally, a control group was evaluated that flew the multifunction display without the graphical weather information. The hypothesis that training would improve the tactical pilots’ ability to maintain a safe flying distance was supported. The analyses indicate that training lowered the tactical users from 100% tactical usage down to 44% tactical usage. It also significantly increased the average distance tactical users flew from the thunderstorm from 10.2 miles (SD = 4.0) to 31.3 miles (SD = 18.2); t (8.76) = -3.401, p< .008 (equal variances not assumed). The strategic and tactical untrained user groups were not significantly different from their respective control group (no training and no graphical weather) on how close they flew to the weather or cells. [Taken from abstract]. The full text is available in PDF format so Adobe Acrobat software is required in order to read it.

Impact of Training on General Aviation Pilots' Ability to make Strategic Weather-Related Decisions : Final Report

This provides access to a US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)Office of Aviation Medicine technical report DOT/FAA/AM-08/3 written by Jerry Ball and dated April 2008. Inadvertent flight into hazardous weather can have devastating results for general aviation pilots (NTSB, 2005; Goh and Wiegmann, 2001). In fact, weather is the leading cause of fatalities in general aviation. The purpose of this study was to determine if a graphical weather display combined with an instructional training paradigm could improve pilots’ ability to maintain a safe flying distance from convective thunderstorm activity. Previous research suggested that giving pilots the ability to see accurately the weather they are flying in and around may tempt some pilots to try to fly through small breaks in the convective activity. Indeed, Beringer and Ball (2004) found that pilots using graphical weather could be classified into two types of users (tactical vs. strategic). Tactical users were those pilots who used the information to try and navigate through or very close to the hazardous weather. Strategic users were those pilots who used the graphical information to plan and maintain a safe distance (20 nautical miles or greater) from the storm. An instructional slide presentation based on the Aeronautical Information Manual (AIM, 7-1-27) guidelines was developed with the intent of modifying the behavior of users classified as “tactical.” Fifty-seven general aviation pilots were evaluated on a low-visibility visual flight rules (VFR)scenario where they encountered an encroaching thunderstorm traversing their flight plan. The pilots were separated intotwo groups, tactical or strategic users, according to how they responded to a simulated scenario of a VFR flight using a graphical weather display. Half of the pilots in each group then received training to see if it would decrease the incidence of tactical usage. Additionally, a control group was evaluated that flew the multifunction display without the graphical weather information. The hypothesis that training would improve the tactical pilots’ ability to maintain a safe flying distance was supported. The analyses indicate that training lowered the tactical users from 100% tactical usage down to 44% tactical usage. It also significantly increased the average distance tactical users flew from the thunderstorm from 10.2 miles (SD = 4.0) to 31.3 miles (SD = 18.2); t (8.76) = -3.401, p< .008 (equal variances not assumed). The strategic and tactical untrained user groups were not significantly different from their respective control group (no training and no graphicalweather) on how close they flew to the weather or cells. [Taken from abstract]. The full text is avilable in PDF format so Adobe Acrobat software is required in order to read it.

Impact Tests of Aircraft Aluminiums and Composites for Uncontained Engine Fragment Modeling

This provides access to a US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) technical report DOT/FAA/AR-08/46 written by Kevin Donovan, George Johnson and Tarek Zohdi dated october 2008. Transport aircraft design requires that manufacturers minimize the risk of a catastrophic failure resulting from an uncontained engine failure. This happens when one of the turbine engine’s rotating components fails, usually due to fatigue, and passes through the engine containment structure. While the loss of one engine is not enough to cause the complete failure of the commercial aircraft, the subsequent loss of critical components, such as the hydraulic or fuel lines, could result in losing control of the aircraft. Redundancy is a primary design feature that allows for the loss of an engine or major system without causing a catastrophic event. Separation of redundant systems is also a vital part of the design process. In cases where a critical component is vulnerable, shielding may be used to protect the component. To reduce the weight and operating cost for shielding, lightweight materials, such as aluminum, titanium, high-strength fabric, composites, and other materials, are being considered to act as barriers against engine fragments on critical aircraft systems. In developing a barrier, it is necessary to characterize the ballistic performance of these materials, which is typically done through testing. This report describes the tests performed at the University of California at Berkeley to aid in this characterization. In the experiments, 1/16-inch-thick 2024-T3 aluminum, 5/64-inch-thick 7075-T73 aluminum, and 8- and 16-ply unidirectional carbon fiber composite panels were impacted with 1/2-inch-diameter spheres, flat-ended cylinders, and hemispherically ended cylinders shot from a pneumatic gun. Impact curves were generated, and failure methods were observed. The composite panels failed by fracture, delamination, and plugging, depending on conditions such as projectile velocity, projectile tip shape, and target thickness. Projectile shape also affected the amount of energy required for a projectile to pass through the aluminum plates. For all materials tested, an assumption of constant projectile energy loss, independent of initial projectile speed, seemed valid. [Taken from the abstract]. The full text is available in PDf format so Adobe Acrobat software is required in order to read it.

Improved Methodology for the Prediction of the Empennage Maneuver In-Flight Loads of a General Aviation Aircraft Using Neural Networks : Final Report

This provides access to a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) report, DOT/FAA/AR-01/80, by David Kim and Laure Pechaud, dated December 2001. This research presents and documents an improved methodology for the prediction of empennage maneuver loads of a general aviation aircraft. The full text of the report is available in PDF format, from the online catalogue of the FAA William J. Hughes Technical Center Library.

Inflight USA

This is a monthly subscription journal aimed at aviation professionals and enthusiasts. This online edition features only a relatively small sample of the news items and articles featured in the print publication. Nevertheless the site also has sections on forthcoming events, aircraft sales, new products, and a business directory.

International Council of Aircraft Owner and Pilot Associations

The International Council of Aircraft Owner and Pilot Associations (IAOPA) is a nonprofit federation of over 50 autonomous, nongovernmental, national general aviation organizations. The site contains a range of background information including the foundation and history of the IAOPA, its mission and objectives, and how it operates. There is a listing of worldwide affiliates. Other resources include international flight procedures, IAOPA policy manual and IAOPA statistical reports.

Investigation of Visual Flight Cues for Timing the Initiation of the Landing Flare

This web site provides access to an Australian Bureau of Air Safety Investigation (BASI)Research and Analysis Report (Grant 20050119) written by Steve Palmisano ...[et al] dated June 2006. While improper execution of the flare manoeuvre has been implicated in many landing incidents, very few human factors studies appear to have examined this problem. Our flight simulation study examined three different visual strategies that pilots could use to time the flare. On each trial, non-pilots, student pilots or private pilots were required to judge either: (i) their time-to-contact with the ground; or (ii) an idealised time to initiate the flare. Our data provided some support for the hypothesis that pilots initiate the flare when their perceived time-to-contact with the ground reaches a critical value. Pilot performance was generally superior to non-pilot performance. However, both pilots and non-pilots were found to demonstrate flare timing biases during impoverished visual conditions (i.e. reduced depth cues) - indicating that strategies based on perceptions of environmental distance and/or critical runway angle must also have played a role. Importantly, very accurate timing judgments were possible with richer visual displays (i.e. additional depth cues) that provided performance feedback. Thus, we conclude that entry-level flight simulators can be used for flare timing training if certain minimum visual display conditions have been met. [Taken from abstract]. The full text is available in PDF format so Adobe Acrobat software will be required in order to read it.

JAR-FCL Approval of Aeroplanes for Use on CPL and IR Skill Tests Conducted by CAA Staff and Authorised Flight Examiners

This provides access to a UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) Standards document 07(A) dated March 2006. This document sets out the requirements for the approval of an aeroplane for use on the CPL and IR Skill Tests and is available for all those engaged in providing aeroplanes for flight tests for the initial issue of the CPL and IR. [Taken from abstract]. The full text is available in PDF format so Adobe Acrobat software will be required in order to read it.

JAR-FCL Criteria for the Approval of a Flying Training Organisation Offering Training for the Flight Instructor FI(R) and IRI Ratings (Aeroplane and Helicopter), CRI Ratings (Aeroplane), TRI Ratings (Helicopter) and MCCI Rating (Aeroplane and Helicopter)

This provides access to a UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) Standards document No.37 dated November 2006. This Standards Document replaces CAP 682 Part 6 and other parts that were not previously issued. It is designed to provide helpful guidance for the approval of Flying Training Organisations offering modular training for instructor ratings. This document should be read in conjunction with JAR-FCL 1 for aeroplanes and JAR-FCL 2 for helicopters. The initial version of this Standards Document has been submitted to representative industry bodies for comment and may be amended in the light of feedback received. [Taken from abstract]. The full text is available in PDF format so Adobe Acrobat software will be required in order to read it.

JAR-FCL Criteria for the Approval of a Flying Training Organisation Offering Training for the JAA PPL and Night Qualification for Aeroplane and Helicopter, in a non-JAA State

This provides access to a UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) Standards document No.39 dated Febraury 2006. This document replaces CAP 682 Part 8: it is designed to provide guidance for the Approval of Flying Training Organisations offering training for the Private Pilot Licence whose principal place of business and registered office are outside the JAA Member State. The document should be read in conjunction with JAR-FCL 1 Flight Crew Licensing (Aeroplane) and JAR-FCL 2 Flight Crew Licensing (Helicopter). [Taken from abstract]. The full text is available in PDF format so Adobe Acrobat software will be required in order to read it.

JAR-FCL Criteria for the Approval of Flying Training Organisations offering Integrated Courses of training for the JAA ATPL and CPL/IR Aeroplane and Helicopter

This provides access to a UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) Standards document No.35 dated November 2006. This Standards Document replaces CAP 682 Part 2. It is designed to provide helpful guidance for the approval of Flying Training Organisations offering integrated flying training courses. The document should be read in conjunction with JAR-FCL 1 for aeroplanes and JAR-FCL 2 for helicopters. The initial version of this Standards Document has been submitted to representative industry bodies for comment and may be amended in the light of feedback received. [Taken from abstract]. The full text is available in PDF format so Adobe Acrobat software will be required in order to read it.

JAR-FCL Criteria for the Approval of Flying Training Organisations Offering Modular Courses of Training for the JAA CPL and IR (Aeroplane & Helicopter) and Training for the MEP Class Rating (Aeroplane)

This provides access to a UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) Standards document No.36 dated November 2006. This Standards Document replaces CAP 682 Parts 4, 5 and 7. It is designed to provide helpful guidance for the approval of Flying Training Organisations offering modular flying training courses for CPL, IR and MEP. The document should be read in conjunction with JAR-FCL for aeroplanes and JAR-FCL for helicopters. The initial version of this Standards Document has been submitted to representative industry bodies for comment and may be amended in the light of feedback received. [Taken from abstract]. The full text is available in PDF format so Adobe Acrobat software will be required in order to read it.

JAR-FCL Provision and Conduct of Ground Examinations for the Private Pilot Licence Aeroplanes & Helicopters (Including Registration of the Training Facility and Authorisation of Examiners)

This provides access to a UK Civil Aviation Standards document No.11 dated May 2008. The purpose of Standards Document 11 is to provide guidance on: registration of a PPL Training Facility; the provision of examination papers, including appointment of the custodian of examination papers and security of papers; gaining authorisation as a ground examiner or revalidation examiner; the conduct of examinations; post examination procedures and the revalidation of class ratings by experience. [Taken from abstract]. The full text is available in PDF format so Adobe Acrobat software will be required in order to read it.

Landings

Landings is an established aviation directory service. It provides access to a wide variety of aviation related resources. It includes mediated expert forums covering topic areas such as GPS, maintenance, aviation medicine and law. There are listings of newsgroups and e-mail groups. An extensive reference section includes links to various databases of FAA Regulations, Canadian Regulations, Service Difficulty Reports, Airworthiness Alerts, NTSB Briefs, N Numbers and many more. The reference section also includes coverage of aerospace companies, museums, reports and other publications. Landings also has sections devoted to aircraft/parts; air transport/airports; services; general aviation; government/military: and pilot supplies.

Learning to Land : A Qualitative Examination of Pre-Flight and In-Flight Decision-Making Processes in Expert and Novice Aviators

This web page provides access to a Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University Department of Human Development PhD thesis, by Edward L. Deitch, dated 28 November 2001. The thesis describes a study of the decision-making characteristics of expert and novice pilots. A number of expert and novice pilots were interviewed about their decision-making processes as they related to four aeronautical decision-making scenarios. Bibliographic and abstract details are available in HTML format. The full text of the document is accessible online in PDF format. This title is part of Virginia Tech�s Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Collection (VT ETD).

Light Aircraft Association

Formerly known as the Popular Flying Association (PFA) the mission of the Light Aircraft Association (LAA) is to be the leading sports and recreational aviation association. The site provides information on membership benefits, training opportunities and educational activities. There is a bulletin board for LAA members, although non-members may read messages posted to it, an online shop, information on regulatory matters and consultations by the CAA and other government departments, as well as selected content from the Light Aviation Magazine.

Light Aircraft Maintenance

This provides access to a UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) publication, Civil Aviation Paper, CAP 520, prepared by the Safety Regulation Group, 4th Edition Corrected, 24 February 2003. It provides general guidance on implementation of the light aircraft scheme (LAMS) for aircraft not exceeding 2730 kg MTWA, with a Certificate of Airworthiness in the Transport, Aerial Work or Private Category. The text of CAP 520 is available in PDF format (315 kb), from the CAA's web site.

Manual of Aerodrome Flight Information Services : Part A General

This provides access to a UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) document, Civil Aviation Paper CAP 410 Part A, 7th ed, 7 March 2002. The purpose of this document is to provide general guidance on the procedures to be followed when providing a Flight Information Service (FIS) to pilots. It is aimed at Flight Information Service Officers (FISOs) working at aerodromes and Area Control Centres (ACCs). CAP 410 is published in two parts. The text of CAP 410 Part A is available in PDF format (213 kb), from the CAA's web site.

Manual of Aerodrome Flight Information Services : Part B Aerodrome

This provides access to a UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) document, Civil Aviation Paper CAP 410 Part B, 7th ed, 2002. The purpose of this document is to provide guidance on the procedures to be followed when providing a Flight Information Service (FIS) to pilots. It is aimed at Flight Information Service Officers (FISOs) working at aerodromes and Area Control Centres (ACCs). The text of CAP 410 Part B is available in PDF format (586 kb), from the CAA's web site.

Multi-Method Approach to Understand Pilot Performance in a Sociotechnical Aviation System

This is a Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering PhD dissertation, by Jason J. Saleem, dated June 17, 2003. This research examined human-machine performance in a General Aviation (GA) environment under dynamic conditions using a combination of field study and laboratory experimentation. Using this combination of methods, the functional system of pilots performing a landing approach (both instrument and visual) with a Cessna 172 was described and analysed. Also of interest was how pilot performance was affected by the introduction of nighttime and deteriorating weather conditions to this GA environment. The study also provides an enhanced understanding of the the GA pilot/cockpit system and a systems-oriented cognitive model of this aviation environment as described by the ME/DC method for both VFR and IFR pilots. Further, procedural comparisons were performed between the flight simulator and the actual Cessna 172 used in the field study to provide an increased understanding of how to improve the validity associated with using simulators in research. Findings from both the laboratory and field studies in this research support new designs and technologies envisioned for future aviation systems that would assist the pilot during a landing approach such as weather information systems, head-up displays, synthetic vision, three-dimensional auditory displays, increased automation, and communications filters. Potential future applications of this research are also explored. Bibliographic and abstract details are available in HTML format. The full text of the document is accessible online in PDF format [1.62 Mb]. This title is part of Virginia Tech�s Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Collection (VT ETD).

NASA Human Factors Research and Technology

The Human Factors Research and Technology Division advances human-centred design and operations of complex aerospace systems through analysis, experimentation and modelling of human performance and human-automation interaction to make dramatic improvements in safety, efficiency and mission success. There are brief descriptions of the history and structure of the IH Division. There are links to information pages provided by the three branches: Human Information Processing Research (IHH); Human Automation Integration (IHI); Systems Safety Research (IHS) amongst others. Descriptions are provided of current projects. The recent reports section provides summaries of recent work conducted by each of the branches. These are in HTML format.

National Aerospace Resource Centre collection : RMIT University

The National Aerospace Resource Centre collection, a joint initiative of Melbourne, Austrialia's RMIT University's Aerospace and Aviation Engineering and the Royal Aeronautical Society, consists of approximately 100,000 volumes. It includes technical reports (NASA, NACA, AMRL, DSTO and other aerospace organizations), conference proceedings (including Royal Aeronautical Society conferences from 1985 - ), books, videos, aircraft manuals and journals. The primary users of the NARC collection are RMIT Aerospace Engineering staff and students, and members of the Royal Aeronautical Society.

National Consortium for Aviation Mobility (NCAM)

This is a non-profit partnership organisation which aims, in collaboration with NASA's Small Aircraft Transportation System (SATS) programme, to promote the development of a high mobility 21st Century personal transportation system utilizing small General Aviation aircraft. NCAM's mission is to coordinate and integrate the technical work and products of its members, foster technology transfer and standards needed for commercialisation. The site describes the SATS project and the contributions being made by the six NCAM Laboratories. Other available information resources include news, a list of organisational contacts and downloadable collections of documents, videos and animations.

National Transportation Safety Board Safety Study : Public Aircraft Safety

This is the PDF version of a National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) Safety Study, NTSB/SS-0101, PB2001-917004, adopted October 23, 2001. The report presents the results of a study to compare the safety of public aircraft and civil aircraft, and reviews safety statistics on aircraft operations since 1993. As a result of the study, the Safety Board issued eight safety recommendations to the Federal Aviation Administration and two safety recommendations to the General Services Administration.

North Atlantic International General Aviation Operations Manual

The 3rd edition of this manual dated 1 June, 1999 was developed by the North Atlantic Systems Planning Group (NAT-SPG) to assist international general aviation (IGA) pilots with flight planning and operations across the North Atlantic. It is not intended to be a detailed listing of procedures or air regulations of the various States that provide air traffic service in the North Atlantic (NAT) region, and does not in anyway replace the information contained in various national Aeronautical Information Publications (AIP's). Pilots must consult relevant AIRs and Notices to Airmen (NOTAMs) when planning the flight and prior to departure. Appendix 1 provides information on obtaining regulatory publications that may be of assistance to you. This manual is for flight operations above and below minimum navigation performance specifications (MNPS) airspace. If you are going to fly within MNPS airspace, refer to the MNPS Guidance Material. The text of th emanual is available in HTML format from the listing of air traffic publications on the FAA's web site.

Notes for the Guidance of Applicants taking the UK CAA PPL Skill Test (Aeroplanes)

This provides access to a UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) Standards document No.19(A) dated February 2006. These guidance notes are intended to provide applicants for the grant of a Private Pilots Licence (PPL) Aeroplanes with background information regarding the Personnel Licensing Department policy for the PPL Skill Test. The information will help applicants prepare for this flight test, but it must be remembered that aspects mentioned here are of a general nature only and do not give precise details of each exercise or manoeuvre. [Taken from abstract]. The full text is available in PDF format so Adobe Acrobat softwarew ill be required in order to read it.

On Track : A Confidential Airspace Infringement Project

The site provides access to UK Civil Aviation Authority Civil Aviation Paper 2003/5, prepared by The Airsapce Infringement Steering Group, dated 11 July 2003. This report presents the work and recommendations of the �On Track� project. The project ran from June 2001 to January 2003, with the aim �To identify the causal factors behind airspace infringements, and to make recommendations for safety improvements.� The significant findings of the project are summarised in section 7 of the report under the following headings: Airspace and ATC Issues, Lower Airspace Radar Service, Maps and Charts, Aeronautical Information Circulars, NOTAMS, GPS, GPS Training, R/T Training, Navigation Training, GA use of Transponders, Licensing Issues, Communication and CAA Investigation and Follow-up Procedure. The text of the document is available online in PDF format (469 kb) from the CAA's web site.

Organisations conducting CAA and JAR-FCL Approved Courses of Flight and Ground Training

This provides access to a UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) Standards document No.31 dated May 2007. The Civil Aviation Authority under the Air Navigation Order 2005 Article 33 (3) approves courses of flying and ground training to be conducted by certain organisations as listed here. In order to gain approval for the conduct of a course the organisation is required to meet the standards laid down by the Joint Aviation Authorities in JAR-FCL1.055 (Appendix 1 and 2) for Aeroplanes and JAR-FCL2.055 (Appendix 1a, 1b, 1c and 2) for Helicopters. Further guidance for the approval of Flight Crew training can be found in CAP682 - "Guidance for Approval of Training Organisations" in the relevant section indicated below. PLD Standards is responsible for administration of flight and ground training approvals. [Taken from abstract]. The full text is available in PDF format so Adobe Acrobat software wil be required in order to read it.

Overview of Spatial Disorientation as a Factor in Aviation Accidents and Incidents

This website provides access to a Australian Transport Bureau Research and Analysis Report No.B20070063 written by David G Newman and dated December 2007. Spatial disorientation (SD) is among the most common factors contributing to aviation accidents and incidents, but its true prevalence is difficult to establish. This is because many accidents where SD is cited as a likely factor are fatal, and therefore its role cannot be known with any certainty, but also because in the many instances of SD where an accident doesn’t result, it goes unreported. This study provides a comprehensive explanation of the various types of SD in the aviation environment, and suggest strategies for managing the risk associated with SD events. This report provides an informative overview of the three basic types of SD, and the circumstances under which disorientation might be more likely. These are of value to all pilots, and especially those who conduct flights in instrument conditions or at night under visual flight rules. Single-pilot operations, particularly where an autopilot is not available, face additional risks and the need to identify and manage SD events. This report also encourages pilots who have experienced SD episodes to share their experiences with their aviation colleagues, either informally, or through magazines, journals and web-based forums. This will serve to encourage a greater awareness of the incidence of SD, and help reduce the stigma that some pilots might associate with these events. As other studies suggest, SD is likely to be encountered by all pilots during the course of a lifetime’s flying – whether professional or non-professional, experienced or inexperienced. A more open approach to acknowledging and discussing SD and its various causes will make a valuable contribution to a better understanding of this common human factor. [Taken from abstract]. The full text is available in PDF format so Adobe Acrobat software is required in order to read it.

Parachute Rigger Handbook

Published by the U.S. Department of Transportation, Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Airman Testing Standards Branch in 2005, this operational handbook introduces the basic skills necessary for acquiring a parachute rigger certificate. is primarily intended to assist individuals who are preparing for the parachute rigger airman knowledge test and the oral and practical test. The material presented in this handbook is appropriate for senior and master parachute riggers. The handbook contains information on regulations and human factors, design and construction, materials, operations, inspection and packing, hand tools, sewing machines, the parachute loft, repairs, alterations, and manufacture. The text of the document is available in PDF (44.9 Mb) format

Parachuting

This provides access to a UK Civil Aviation Authority Publication Civil Aviation Paper CAP 660, 3rd edition, March 2003. The purpose of CAP 660 is to set out minimum standards which the Civil Aviation Authority will require to be satisfied prior to the grant or renewal of parachuting Permissions and any related exemptions; and to indicate the CAA 's requirements for the conduct of parachuting operations. The text is available in PDF format (365 kb) from the CAA's publications web site.

Pilot Willingness to Take Off Into Marginal Weather, Part II: Antecedent Overfitting with Forward Stepwise Logistic Regression

This technical report (DOT/FAA/AM-05/15) was produced by the Federal Aviation Administration's (FAA) Office of Aerospace Medicine in August 2005 and was written by W. R. Knecht. Adverse weather is the leading cause of fatalities in general aviation (GA). In prior research, influences of ground visibility, cloud ceiling height, financial incentive, and personality were tested on 60 GA pilots� willingness to take off into simulated adverse weather. Results suggested that pilots did not see �weather� as a monolithic cognitive construct but, rather, as an interaction between its separate factors. However, methodological issues arose during the use of logistic regression in modeling the effect of 60+ candidate predictors on the outcome variable of takeoff into adverse weather. [Taken from abstract]. This is a PDF file, so Adobe Acrobat software will be required in order to read it.

Power Loss Related Accidents Involving Twin-Engine Aircraft

This web site provides access to an Australian Transport Safety Bureau Research and Analysis Report (B2005/0085) dated June 2005. The twin-engine power loss accidents were analysed to identify the types of accidents that occurred. Ten of the 11 fatal accidents subsequent to a power loss in twin-engine aircraft were the result of an in-flight loss of control. In contrast, the majority of non-fatal accidents subsequent to a power loss were primarily the result of degraded aircraft performance and resulted in aircraft being forced landed. When a twin-engine aircraft sustains a loss of power, the resulting power output can produce a power condition that is either asymmetric or non-asymmetric. The twin-engine power loss accidents were grouped based on whether the aircraft was being powered asymmetrically or non-asymmetrically when the accident occurred. [Taken from abstract]. The full text is available in PDF format and is provided by the Australian Transport Safety Bureau web site.

Private Pilots Licensing Registered Training Facilities including Seaplane Training Facilities

This provides access to a UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) standards document No.30 dated April 2007. JAR-FCL requires all providers of flight and ground training for the Private Pilots Licence (PPL) (Aeroplanes and Helicopters) within a JAA State to formally register with their local National Aviation Authority (NAA) for the provision of such training. This document is a list of all current UK registered training facilities that have done so for issuing of UK JAR-FCL licensing purposes. JAR-FCL requires that any training courses conducted for the purpose of gaining a JAR-FCL PPL that takes place outside of the JAA Member States be fully approved. A list of organisations holding such approval are included in Standards Document 31. [Taken from abstract]. The full text is available in PDF format, so Adobe Acrobat software is required in order to read it.

Regulatory Review of General Aviation in the UK

This web site provides access to a UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) Final Report dated July 2006. On 15 June 2005 the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) Chairman invited, inter alia, the UK General Aviation (GA) community and the Department for Transport (DfT) to join the CAA in carrying out a Strategic and Regulatory Review of GA in the United Kingdom (UK). In making the proposal the Chairman considered: (1) The concerns expressed by the GA community, following the CAA/Industry Joint Review Team study on Future Costs and Charges.(2) The need to re-engage with the GA community and to revitalise and enhance the relationship.(3) The need to demonstrate to the GA community that the CAA is fully committed to the principles of better regulation.(4) This was an essential element in the CAA’s programme of continuous improvement. The objectives of the review were to agree and record: a) A description and definition of GA in the UK. b) The history of regulation within the UK, the existing UK policy on GA regulation and best practice guidelines. c) Sectoral trends and major and future developments which are likely to affect UK GA. d) The accident rate for UK GA over the past 10 years compared with the rates in selected other European States and the USA. Appropriate safety targets for GA were to be considered. e) Other regulatory models used within Europe and elsewhere. f) The effects of the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) (through Regulation (EC) 1592/2002) upon future UK regulation of GA. g) Methods and effectiveness of consultation and dialogue between GA interests and CAA/Government/regional bodies. h) Proposed options for future UK regulation of GA including details of: 􀀁 Possible legal changes. 􀀁 Costs of administration. 􀀁 Costs to industry. 􀀁 Advantages and disadvantages of each proposal. 􀀁 Cost effectiveness and risk analysis. The scope of the review excluded the following items: a) Fractional ownership. b) Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs). c) Foreign-registered aircraft resident in the UK. [Taken from summary]. The full text is available in PDF format so Adobe Acrobat software will be required in order to read it.

Report on Progress with the National Aerospace Technology Strategy

This is the full text (in PDF) of this DTI report, published in March 2007. The National Aerospace Technology Strategy came from the recommendations of the Aerospace Innovation and Growth Team (AeIGT) for a focused programme of applied research and demonstration, and for an authoritative forum to coordinate the activities that make up the programme. The aerospace sector has made good progress in taking forward the strategy. It represents a combined effort by industry, regional and national government, and the research base. This report summarises that progress, the key programmes that are underway and the next steps to be taken.

Review of Damage Tolerance for Composite Sandwich Airframe Structures : Final Report

This provides access to a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) report, DOT/FAA/AR-99/49, by J. Tomblin and others, dated August 1999. The report presents a review of previous damage tolerance investigations. It includes a compilation of damage tolerance certification procedures; a survey of past and current airframe industry sandwich constructions; and recommendations for future research. The full text of the report is available in PDF format from the online catalogue of the FAA William J. Hughes Technical Center Library.

Risks Associated with Aerial Campaign Management: Lesson from a Case Study of Aerial Locust Control

This web site provides access to an Australian Transport Safety Bureau Research and Analysis Report (B2004/0337) dated January 2005. In 2004, there were two wirestrike accidents in New South Wales involving helicopters undertaking locust control operations. The first accident occurred in October 2004 near Forbes and resulted in minor injuries to one occupant and extensive damage to the helicopter. The second accident occurred in November 2004 near Dunedoo and resulted in the death of two occupants. A third occupant was seriously injured and there was extensive damage to the helicopter. A third accident, near Mudgee in November 2004, involved a helicopter that was being used for locust control, although the helicopter was not involved in locust control activities at the time of the accident. [Taken from abstract]. The full text of the report is available in PDF format and is provided by the Australian Transport Safety Bureau web site.

Safety Standards At Unlicensed Aerodromes (Including Helicopter Landing Sites)

This provides access to UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) paper, CAP 428, 5th ed, October 2004. The document provides guidance on the recommended layout, physical characteristics and visual aids appropriate to safe operating standards at unlicensed aerodromes. Its contents are not mandatory, nor do they purport to be exhaustive; however, they do provide what can be considered as sound practice. Advice on the standards required of licensed aerodromes is contained in CAP 168 - Licensing of Aerodromes. The text of the document is available in PDF format (174 kb), from the CAA's web site.

Seaplane Pilots Association

The Seaplane Pilots Association is a non-profit organisation made up of members involved in all aspects of seaplane manufacturing and operations. The site contains information about the association, flying training and seaplane news stories generally. The Library section, for example, the Seaplane Make & Model Directory, the Seaplane Operators Directory, the Seaplane Flight School Directory, the Seaplane Compatibility Issues study (summary), the Seaplane-related book list, and Chapter 15 of the FAA's Flight Training Handbook. There is also a set of links to other seaplane and aviation web sites.

Seaplane Skiplane and Float / Ski Equipped Helicopter Operations Handbook

Published by the U.S. Department of Transportation, Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Airman Testing Standards Branch in 2004, this operational handbook introduces the basic skills necessary for piloting seaplanes, skiplanes, and helicopters equipped with floats or skis. is primarily intended to assist pilots who already hold private or commercial certificates and who are learning to fly seaplanes, skiplanes, or helicopters equipped for water or ski operations. It is also beneficial to rated seaplane pilots who wish to improve their proficiency, pilots preparing for flights using ski equipped aircraft, and flight instructors engaged in the instruction of both student and transitioning pilots. It introduces the future seaplane or skiplane pilot to the realm of water operations and cold weather operations, and provides information on the performance of procedures required for the addition of a sea class rating in airplanes. Information on general piloting skills, aeronautical knowledge, or flying techniques not directly related to water or cold weather operations are beyond the scope of this book, but are available in other Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) publications. In this electronic format the several chapters are grouped together in PDF format files; the cover, preface, table of contents, glossary and index are also included.

Statistical Loads Data for Cessna 172 Aircraft using the Aircraft Cumulative Fatigue System (ACFS) : Final Report

This provides access to a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) report, DOT/FAA/AR-01/44, by John A. Cicero, Frank L. Feiter and Jamshid Mohammadi, dated August 2001. The report describes the development and testing of a low-cost Airframe Cumulative Fatigue System (ACFS). It includes the analysis and statistical summaries of the data collected from 1000 test flights on a Cessna 172. The full text of the report is available in PDF format.

Superjets

This article in 'Flight Safety Australia' September-October 2003 (available in full-text PDF - 2 pages) is written by John Mulcair and examines the issues raised by ultra-long range (ULR) superjets such as the Boeing 777.

Technically Advanced Aircraft : Safety Training

This is an Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA) Air Safety Foundation Special Report, dated 2005. It contains a preliminary review of Technically Advanced Aircraft (TAA) accidents and attempts to address three questions: What is a TAA?; What adaptations will be required for the general aviation (GA) training structure as TAA enter the fleet in significant numbers?; and Do the earliest returns on GA accidents involving TAA show any trend that can be used to direct strategies for reducing GA accident rates in the future? The text is available in PDF format (851 Kb) from the AOPA's web site. Appendix A contains edited National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) accident reports (PDF format 432 Kb), and Appendicies B-E contain articles from AOPA Pilot, ASRS reports, data link suppliers, avionics displays (PDF format 776 Kb).

The Aerial Application Certificate

This provides access to a UK Civil Aviation Authority Publication Civil Aviation Paper CAP 414, 4th edition, 23 April 2002. This publication explains the administrative procedures for the issue and renewal of Aerial Application Certificates, and to indicate requirements to be met by operators in respect of equipment, organisation, staffing, training and other matters affecting the operation of aerial application aircraft. The text is available in PDF format (209 kb) from the CAA's publications web site.

The future market for aircraft : Even more growth ahead.

The Center for Asia Pacific Aviation looks at market forecasts for a broad range of aircraft with particular reference to the Asia Pacific region. In this issue released in August 2006 there are items looking at long-haul and freighter forecasts and a review of both Boeing's bullish and Rolls Royce's recent 20 year forecasts.

The Influence of Visibility, Cloud Ceiling, Financial Incentive, and Personality Factors on General Aviation Pilots� Willingness to Take Off Into Marginal Weather, Part I: The Data and Preliminary Conclusions

This technical report (DOT/FAA/AM-05/7) was produced by the Federal Aviation Administration's (FAA) Office of Aerospace Medicine in April 2005 and was written by William Knecht, Howard Harris and Scott Shappell. Adverse weather is the leading cause of fatalities in general aviation (GA). In this research, influences of ground visibility, cloud ceiling height, financial incentive, and personality were tested on 60 GA pilots� willingness to take off into simulated adverse weather. Results suggested that pilots do not see �weather� as a monolithic cognitive construct but, rather, as an interaction between its separate factors. This was supported by the finding that the multiplicative statistical effect of visibility and ceiling could better predict takeoff than could the linear effect of either variable considered separately. Also found was a statistical trend toward financial incentive being able to predict takeoffs. However, none of the 10 personality tests (incorporating over 500 separate response items) could predict takeoff. [Taken from abstract]. This is a PDF file, so Adobe Acrobat software will be required in order to read it.

The Value of Information as an Integral Part of Aerospace and Defence R and D Programmes

This is Research and Technology Organization (RTO) AGARD-CP-385, dated January 1986. The management and use of scientific and technical information in the R and D process is examined from the perspective of policy makers, program managers, and researchers. Aspects considered at the meeting included the need to incorporate information as an integral part of the R and D process, the value of information in reducing the cost and preventing the duplication of research, improvements in the sharing of information resources among the NATO countries, and requirements for the future. For individual titles see N86-28794 through N86-28803. Bibliographic and abstract details are available in HTML format. A table of contents, and the full text (86.47MB) of the document can be accessed online in PDF format. The document is contained in the RTO's Full Text Publication Library.

THERMOD Composite Airframe Temperature Prediction Tool Evaluation, Validation, and Enhancement With Initial Steady-State Temperature Data

This provides access to a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) report DOT/FAA/AR-04/30 by L. Scott Miller, James Waltner, Tejas Mazmudar, Monal Merchant, and John Tomblin dated September 2004. General aviation aircraft airframe temperatures can reach extreme levels while parked on the ground, depending on ambient conditions (e.g., temperature and solar radiation) and airframe construction (e.g., material types, geometry, and paint color). The implications of this situation are extremely important to understand since composite aircraft structural limits are dependent on the airframe temperatures. The THERMOD computer code predicts both steady-state and transient airframe temperatures based on a comprehensive range of factors, including those mentioned above. Unfortunately, however, the THERMOD program has not been fully validated. Previous experimental investigations, conducted at Wichita State University, suggest that THERMOD code predictions for convective cooling effects are reasonable, typically conservative. However, a few key questions surfaced, specifically (1) What is the impact of input variable uncertainties? (2) What is the accuracy of THERMOD in predicting steady-state or initial temperatures? and (3) Are there ways to improve THERMOD�s utility or ease of use? These issues became the goals for the current work. A sensitivity study, using the THERMOD code itself, showed that the impact of input variable uncertainties is typically small, depending most on the obvious geometry and material properties. Atmospheric testing, using solar radiation to heat test panels, suggests that THERMOD steady-state predictions are reasonable. The temperature data generated will be useful for design and certification. However, the code can underpredict temperatures in some cases, perhaps due to the fact that THERMOD assumes a constant 10-mph wind in it�s analysis. A Windows� style interface, called the THERMOD Analysis Assistant (TAA), was developed and is undergoing initial user evaluations. TAA is composed of two parts, an input file generation interface and an output file viewer. Each element offers a more familiar user environment incorporating graphics and controls to ease THERMOD code use. A brief TAA introduction and overview is included in this report. [Taken from abstract]. The full text of the report is available in PDF format from the online catalogue of the FAA William J. Hughes Technical Center Library.

Threat and Error Management : Attitudes towards training and applicability of TEM to general aviation and low capacity air transport operations

This gives access to an Australian Transport Safety Bureau Research and Analysis Report AR2006156 written by K. Cheung, M. Inglis and S. T. Godley dated June 2009. The threat and error management (TEM) model provides a non-technical tool to help pilots identify and manage threats (hazards) and errors during flight. In preparation for regulatory changes that come into effect in July 2009, the Guild of Air Pilots and Air Navigators (GAPAN) developed a TEM 'train-the-trainer' course for general aviation and low capacity air transport operations. Between August and October 2007, GAPAN conducted TEM training in 10 locations throughout Australia. Two surveys were administered to TEM course participants by the Australian Transport Safety Bureau: one immediately after the training session and the other about 8 months after the training. The surveys were designed to elicit information on attitudes towards TEM, organisational safety strategies, and challenges and benefits of implementing TEM. The follow-up survey was constructed to explore whether TEM has been implemented, along with any challenges and benefits found where TEM had been implemented. Overall, the responses regarding attitudes and intentions of implementing TEM were positive. Eight months after the training, most organisations had implemented TEM and incorporated it into their own training programs. Implementation of TEM into the respondents' organisation was generally considered easy and staff were receptive, with the greatest challenges being time and resources. [Taken from abstract]. The full text is available o=in PDF format so Adobe Acrobat software is required in order to read it.

Trade Disputes in the Commercial Aircraft Industry : A Background Note

This is a brief analysis, written by the Head of Research of the Royal Aeronautical Society in 2005, of the trade issues between the US and Europe. It looks at the long-running debate between the US and the EU over government support for large commercial aircraft for Airbus and Boeing airliners. This paper describes the background to the current dispute, analyses the 1992 US–EU Agreement on Large Aircraft Subsidies, outlines the WTO Agreement on subsidies, summarises the US–EU complaints to the WTO and considers the potential outcomes and the implications for the civil aerospace industry on both sides of the Atlantic. The paper views the dispute as a reflection of fundamental differences, based primarily on divergent economic doctrines and values, between the US and the EU states.

Transport Canada : Air Transport

Transport Canada is responsible for the development of transport policy in Canada, and for the regulation of air, marine, rail and road transport. The information on the air transport site is aimed at a number of target groups including passengers, pilots, flight instructors and maintenance technicians. The information presented describes Transport Canada's role in relation to commercial airlines, security, and, the transport of dangerous goods. There are a selection of quick links to news releases, backgrounders (programmes and initiatives), acts and regulations, policy, Civil Aviation Publications, Research and Development, and statistics and forecasts. The site provides provides access to a wide range of resources including: Canadian Aviation Regulations (CARs), Aviation Safety Publications and Videos, Airworthiness Notices, Airworthiness Directives, Guidance and Advisory Materials, Service Difficulty Advisories, and Service Difficulty Alerts. The commercial airlines section includes information on aircraft certification, airline restructuring, cabin safety standards, and Aviation Occupational Health and Safety. The site also provides links to the Civil Aviation Headquarters Directorate, Transport Canada's online publications storefront for civil aviation publications, Transport Canada's Research and Development organisation, the Transportation Development Centre (TDC), and the T-FACTS Information System for statistics and forecasts.

UK Aerospace Industry Survey 1998

Each year the SBAC (Society of British Aerospace Companies) prepares a document from its annual survey of the UK aerospace industry (UKAI). Data is collected not only from SBAC members, but also other aerospace companies (e.g. consortia, joint ventures, non-members, etc.) both in the UK and the rest of the world. The report generally appears 6 months after the end of the survey year. The survey has been run in this format since 1996 and earlier based on a simplified survey of employment and turnover. The full text in PDF (0.8MB) is available here and includes information on revenue, orders, importance of the UKAI to the UK economy, R&D, employment, regional figures, SMEs, international trade and global trends.

UK Aerospace Industry Survey 2003

Each year the SBAC (Society of British Aerospace Companies) prepares a document from its annual survey of the UK aerospace industry (UKAI). Data is collected not only from SBAC members, but also other aerospace companies (e.g. consortia, joint ventures, non-members, etc.) both in the UK and the rest of the world. The report generally appears 6 months after the end of the survey year. The survey has been run in this format since 1996 and earlier based on a simplified survey of employment and turnover. The full text in PDF (0.5 MB) is available here and includes information on revenue, orders, importance of the UKAI to the UK economy, R&D, employment, regional figures, SMEs, international trade and global trends.

UK Aerospace Industry Survey 2007

Each year the SBAC (Society of British Aerospace Companies) prepares a document from its annual survey of the UK aerospace industry (UKAI). Data is collected not only from SBAC members, but also other aerospace companies (e.g. consortia, joint ventures, non-members, etc.) both in the UK and the rest of the world. The report generally appears 6 months after the end of the survey year. The survey has been run in this format since 1996 and earlier based on a simplified survey of employment and turnover. The full text in PDF (3.5MB) is available here and includes information on revenue, orders, importance of the UKAI to the UK economy, R&D, employment, regional figures, SMEs, international trade and global trends.

UK Aerospace Industry Survey : Facts and Figures 2006

The information provided in this publication is primarily the result of the UK aerospace industry (UKAI) survey data of 2005 undertaken by the SBAC (Society of British Aerospace Companies)in 2006. The survey has been run in this format since 1996 and earlier based on a simplified survey of employment and turnover. The full text in PDF (3.5MB) is available here and includes information on revenue, orders, importance of the UKAI to the UK economy, R&D, employment, regional figures, SMEs, international trade and global trends.

UK Regulatory Requirements to Foreign Registered Aircraft

This is a United Kingdom Department for Transport (DfT) consultation document, published 4 August 2005. A significant proportion of private aircraft based in the UK by UK residents and companies are registered in other states. The majority of these aircraft appear to be operated mainly or exclusively for flights within the UK. This consultation seeks to establish whether steps should be taken to ensure, so far as possible, that private aircraft based in the UK are subject to UK and any relevant European regulatory requirements and supervision by the UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA). Annex A contains the background information, and a presentation of the issue and proposals. Annex B contains the Code of Practice and Annex C the consultation list. The text of the document is available in HTML. The closing date for responses was 28 October 2005.

UK Statutory Instruments and Explanatory Memorandum

This page provides links to all published Statutory Instruments from 1987 onwards. Although numbered in the same Statutory Instrument series, non-print/unpublished Statutory Instruments which are generally of local application are not published on this website.

Usability and Effectiveness of Advanced General Aviation Cockpit Displays for Visual Flight Procedures

This technical report (DOT/FAA/AM-04/20) was produced by the Federal Aviation Administration's (FAA) Office of Aerospace Medicine in December 2004 and was written by Kevin W. Williams and Jerry D. Ball. Twenty-four pilots participated in a study examining the usability and effectiveness of a set of advanced general aviation cockpit displays under visual flight procedures. Use of the displays for navigation and the ability to identify landmarks were measured using both objective and subjective formats. In addition, the effect of the displays on the ability to locate traffic out-the-window was measured both objectively and subjectively. Differences were found in the ability to navigate, to locate landmarks, and in the identification of traffic, when using the advanced displays. However, use of the displays decreased the amount of time that pilots spent looking outside of the aircraft. Implications of the findings are discussed. [Taken from abstract]. This is a PDF file, so Adobe Acrobat software is required in order to read it.

Use of Weather Information by General Aviation Pilots, Part I, Quantitative : Reported Use and Value of Providers and Products

This provides access to U.S. FAA Office of Aerospace Medicine Report No: DOT/FAA/AM-08/6 dated March 2008. Data obtained from 221 general aviation (GA) pilots were examined to determine their usage patterns for weather information. Weather products, providers, and en-route information sources were ranked according to relative use and rated by perceived information value, frequency of use, and time invested per usage. The measures were highly correlated. Conclusion #1: A small fraction of pilots show sparse use patterns and these may be at risk for flying with inadequate preparation. Conclusion #2: There seems to be a strong tendency for many pilots to prefer relatively simple forms of information (e.g., METARS). This may present a problem, given the often-complex nature of weather. [Taken from abstract]. The full text is available in PDF format so Adobe Acrobat software is required in order to read it.

Use of Weather Information by General Aviation Pilots, Part II, Qualitative : Exploring Factors Involved in Weather-Related Decision Making

This provides access to a U.S. FAA Office of Aerospace Medicine Report No: DOT/FAA/AM-08/7 dated March 2008. Interview data obtained from 221 general aviation (GA) pilots are qualitatively scored for factors which influence weather-related decision making. Factors finding relatively strong support are the specific type of weather to be faced (storms, ice, visibility, and cloud ceiling are of greatest concern to GA pilots), type of flight (IFR vs. VFR), pilot physiological state (primarily disorientation), and the inherent uncertainty of weather and the resultant cognitive difficulty of understanding this uncertainty. Factors finding more modest support are:social and/or economic pressures, and impulsive behavior. Additionally, relatively strong support is found in previously unpublished data for the influence of mission goals. Research directions, remediations, and the value of qualitative analysis are discussed. [Taken from abstract]. The full text is available in PDF format so Adobe Acrobat software is required in order to read it.

Visual Aids Handbook

This provides access to UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) paper, CAP 637, compiled by Neil Cargill, current version May 2007. The aim of this reference document is to explain in general terms the purpose and significance of those visual aids currently employed at licenced aerodromes in the UK. The text of the document is available in PDF format (1.8mb), from the CAA's web site.

Wire-strike Accidents in General Aviation: Data Analysis 1994 to 2004

This web site provides access to an Australian Bureau of Safety Investigation Research and Analysis Report 20050055 dated June 2006. Wire strikes are a significant safety concern for general aviation (GA) operations. Wire strikes may result in fatalities and/or the destruction of an aircraft. This research analyses the characteristics of GA wire-strike occurrences using aviation accident and incident data collected by the Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB). The analysis found that 117 wire-strike accidents and 98 wire-strike incidents were reported between 1994 and 2004. The rate of wire-strike accidents reported per 100,000 hours flown ranged from around 0.9 in 1997 and 1998 to 0.1 in 2003. The figures suggested a downward trend beginning in 1998, with a return to previous accident rates in 2004. Reported wire-strike incidents were primarily in only two of the statistical groups used by the ATSB for investigative purposes aerial agriculture operations and other aerial work. The majority of wire-strike accidents were associated with aerial agriculture operations (75 accidents or 64 per cent). The findings reinforce the clear danger to pilots flying at low level because of wires, particularly when conducting aerial agriculture operations and other aerial work. [Taken from abstract]. The full text is available in PDF format so Adobe Acrobat software will be required in order to read it.

World Air Games 2001

This is the official web site of the World Air Games 2001 (WAG 2001), which were held in Southern Spain, between June 23rd and July 1, 2001. Information is presented on each of the 10 sports represented at the games (ballooning, general aviation, gliding, hang gliding, paragliding, glider aerobatics, microlights, parachuting, helicopters and powered aerobatics). A final medal table is also included. There are also sections of the site for results, news, events calender, and online shopping.

World Aviation and Space Records

This pages are part of the web site of the Fédération Aéronautique Internationale (FAI), which certifies and register aeronautical records. The lists of world records are presented in the following categories: Class A - Free Balloons; Class B - Airships; Class C - Aeroplanes; Class D - Gliders and Motor Gliders; Class E - Rotocraft; Class F - Aeromodeling; Class G - Parachuting; Class H - Vertical Take-off and Landing Aeroplanes; Class I - Human Powered Aircraft; Class K - Spacecraft; Class M - Tilt-Wing/Tilt Engine Aircraft; Class N - Short-Takeoff and Landing (STOL) Aeroplanes; Class O - Hang Gliding and Paragliding; Class P - Aerospacecraft; Class R - Microlight; Class S - Space Models; and Class U - Unmanned Aerial Vehicles. The site also provides a check list for setting an aviation world record and a standard preliminary claim form for downloading.

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