Aircraft Systems Design: Lessons Learned from SFAR 88

2003 ◽  
Author(s):  
John A. Malley
Author(s):  
Michael Plotnikov ◽  
John Collura

Rapid proliferation of small, unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) promises to revolutionize traditional methods used to carry out civil engineering surveys and analyses and conduct physical infrastructure inspections. One of the most promising areas of implementation of innovative UAS technology includes the integration of UAS into current state Department of Transportation (DOT) bridge inspections. While regular bridge inspections are paramount for road user safety, many traditional inspection methods and procedures are cumbersome, expensive, and time consuming; present significant hazards to both the traveling public and the inspection personnel; and are disruptive to normal operations of the transportation facilities. The results of recent studies indicate that UAS can serve as a useful tool in many highway bridge inspection procedures, while significantly reducing costs and time and improving safety. The major factors that affect the success of integrating UAS into the bridge inspection process relate to selection of the proper types of UAS platforms and avionics, data collection sensors and processing software, as well as conduct of task-specific pilot training. The paper provides an examination of current standard bridge inspection procedures and protocols currently carried out by state DOTs; an evaluation of state DOT experiences with the integration of UAS technology into bridge inspections; and an assessment of the issues and challenges associated with this technology. It is expected that this paper will be of interest to a wide range of stakeholders representing state and federal governments, academia, and industry.


Author(s):  
R G W Cherry

Numerical probabilities have been used as an aid to aircraft systems design and safety analysis for some thirty years. This paper considers the background to the philosophy, its current application and the benefits that might be gained from further developments. The approach is also put into the context of other opportunities that might exist for seeking further enhancements to aircraft safety.


Author(s):  
Kenneth R. Butts ◽  
Ravi Rangan ◽  
Mark Jennings ◽  
Gail Cheng

Model-based product development methodologies are becoming more widely used by developers of automotive embedded control systems. This paper presents a model repository intended to provide configuration management, reuse, and sharing infrastructure in support of this trend. An initial set of repository requirements is presented and then augmented with lessons-learned from a pilot realization of the system. This pilot realization is discussed with respect to implementation and application. A repository data model is also described.


2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (19) ◽  
pp. 3112
Author(s):  
Michael Hatfield ◽  
Catherine Cahill ◽  
Peter Webley ◽  
Jessica Garron ◽  
Rebecca Beltran

Over the past decade Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS, aka “drones”) have become pervasive, touching virtually all aspects of our world. While UAS offer great opportunity to better our lives and strengthen economies, at the same time these can significantly disrupt manned flight operations and put our very lives in peril. Balancing the demanding and competing requirements of safely integrating UAS into the United States (US) National Airspace System (NAS) has been a top priority of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) for several years. This paper outlines efforts taken by the FAA and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) to create the UAS Traffic Management (UTM) system as a means to address this capability gap. It highlights the perspectives and experiences gained by the University of Alaska Fairbanks (UAF) Alaska Center for Unmanned Aircraft Systems Integration (ACUASI) as one of the FAA’s six UAS test sites participating in the NASA-led UTM program. The paper summarizes UAF’s participation in the UTM Technical Capability Level (TCL1-3) campaigns, including flight results, technical capabilities achieved, lessons learned, and continuing challenges regarding the implementation of UTM in the NAS. It also details future efforts needed to enable practical Beyond-Visual-Line-of-Sight (BVLOS) flights for UAS operations in rural Alaska.


2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marie Berg ◽  
Karolina Linden ◽  
Annsofie Adolfsson ◽  
Carina Sparud Lundin ◽  
Agneta Ranerup

BACKGROUND Numerous Web-based interventions have been implemented to promote health and health-related behaviors in persons with chronic conditions. Using randomized controlled trials to evaluate such interventions creates a range of challenges, which in turn can influence the study outcome. Applying a critical perspective when evaluating Web-based health interventions is important. OBJECTIVE The objective of this study was to critically analyze and discuss the challenges of conducting a Web-based health intervention as a randomized controlled trial. METHOD The MODIAB-Web study was critically examined using an exploratory case study methodology and the framework for analysis offered through the Persuasive Systems Design model. Focus was on technology, study design, and Web-based support usage, with special focus on the forum for peer support. Descriptive statistics and qualitative content analysis were used. RESULTS The persuasive content and technological elements in the design of the randomized controlled trial included all four categories of the Persuasive Systems Design model, but not all design principles were implemented. The study duration was extended to a period of four and a half years. Of 81 active participants in the intervention group, a maximum of 36 women were simultaneously active. User adherence varied greatly with a median of 91 individual log-ins. The forum for peer support was used by 63 participants. Although only about one-third of the participants interacted in the forum, there was a fairly rich exchange of experiences and advice between them. Thus, adherence in terms of social interactions was negatively affected by limited active participation due to prolonged recruitment process and randomization effects. Lessons learned from this critical analysis are that technology and study design matter and might mutually influence each other. In Web-based interventions, the use of design theories enables utilization of the full potential of technology and promotes adherence. The randomization element in a randomized controlled trial design can become a barrier to achieving a critical mass of user interactions in Web-based interventions, especially when social support is included. For extended study periods, the technology used may need to be adapted in line with newly available technical options to avoid the risk of becoming outdated in the user realm, which in turn might jeopardize study validity in terms of randomized controlled trial designs. CONCLUSIONS On the basis of lessons learned in this randomized controlled trial, we give recommendations to consider when designing and evaluating Web-based health interventions.


Author(s):  
J S Schofield ◽  
D J Wright

In recent decades the UK has made significant advances in its approach to, and its results from, the management of naval platform vulnerability. This paper explores the history, guiding principles and assessment techniques of successful vulnerability management. World War II lessons learned are reviewed and shown to be still relevant today. These include structural and systems design features for the management of blast and fragmentation. Requirements must be set which are realistic and contractual. Through the design of several classes of ship using current vulnerability management principles it is now clear what can be achieved. Therefore realistic requirements can be effectively set. Quantitative vulnerability assessment is a key part of the design process, from the earliest concept to build and beyond. It is never too early to consider vulnerability, as the biggest gains can be made for the least cost during the early concept phases. However, early promise can be compromised by careless addition of supporting systems and services, so continuous monitoring is required. In order for vulnerability assessments to keep pace with and guide the direction of the developing design, efficient assessment tools are needed. If the model takes too long to build, the tool offers purely an audit function, rather than being a design aid. Such a tool is also an important input to Operational Analysis of the in-service fleet. As such, very large parameter spaces of results are needed, for the full threat spectrum against the whole fleet in a range of scenarios. SCL has developed the Purple Fire tool to facilitate the sorts of assessment required for modern platform designs, weapon programmes and operational analysis in support of the fleet. It provides the analyst with the ability to construct platform representations very quickly, meaning less model build time and more analysis time. It automates the consideration of large parameter spaces allowing in-depth assessments to be conducted quicker than ever.


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