Troy Nelson's ERAU Blog

  The use of equipment to detect and avoid other aircraft is a very important part of modern aviation. The most common form of this equipment is the radar, which detects objects by sending out radio waves and detecting the reflected signals. Radar can detect objects from a great distance away, but it cannot see through clouds or fog. Another form of detection equipment is called an “ultrasonic” system. Ultrasonic systems use high-frequency sound waves to detect objects that are in front of them (such as another aircraft). These systems cannot see through clouds or fog, so they must be used in conjunction with radar systems. The Airport Surface Detection Equipment (ASDE) program was created to improve airport surface detection capabilities for general aviation airports around the world. This program has two main components: ground-based equipment and airborne equipment. The ground-based system consists of three major subsystems: ASDE-1, ASDE-2, and ASDE-3/4/5/6A/B (the last five b...

  The Federal Aviation Act of 1958 was signed into law by President Dwight D. Eisenhower on July 26, 1958. The act created the Civil Aeronautics Board (CAB) to oversee the regulation of civil aviation in the United States and to create a national system of air traffic control (ATC). The act also established the Federal Aviation Agency (FAA) to consolidate and coordinate existing government agencies involved in aviation. The act was passed as a response to several incidents that occurred during the late 1950s, including an incident involving Eastern Airlines Flight 626 which crashed into a New York City neighborhood on October 31, 1957, killing all 23 people aboard. In addition, several other incidents prompted Congress to pass this legislation including; an incident involving Trans World Airlines Flight 708 which crashed into Long Island Sound on March 1, 1956; an incident involving Western Airlines Flight 9501 which crashed near San Diego on November 28, 1957; and another inciden...

 Airport water pollution is an increasingly concerning issue in the aviation industry. Airports are responsible for a large amount of water pollution due to the high volume of aircraft and ground support equipment operating in and around them. This includes oil, fuel, de-icing fluid, and other contaminants that can pollute local rivers, lakes, and streams. The effects of airport water pollution can be devastating to local ecosystems and human health. In order to reduce the environmental impact of airports, it is important to understand the sources of airport water pollution as well as effective strategies for reducing or eliminating these pollutants.  Airports are a major source of water pollution, with the potential to cause significant damage to local ecosystems and human health. Reducing airport water pollution is an important step towards protecting our environment and ensuring the safety of our drinking water. In order to reduce airport water pollution, airports must impl...

Human error is a common cause of aviation accidents. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) in the US documented 6,949 accidents between January 1966 and December 1975; 3,773 were categorized as ‘operator error’ and 2,596 as ‘mechanical failures. In 2015 alone there were 867 aircraft incidents with 1,422 fatalities and 496 injuries. Air Traffic Control errors are considered the primary cause of controlled flight accidents while human factors account for the majority of un-controlled ones. Aircraft characteristics have made it easier than ever to fly but has also made it harder to detect safety problems early enough to fix them safely before an accident occurs. Weather can be considered a challenge for pilots since visibility may not allow for clear decision making or if conditions do not support the aircrafts capabilities, then manual control overrides take over to ensure safe operation until more favorable weather arises again. To understand why human error is such a signific...

TSA layers of security are the different measures that the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) puts in place to protect travelers. The TSA has a layered approach to security, which means they have multiple layers of protection in order to keep you safe while traveling. TSA Layers of Security TSA has three layers of security: the first layer is called Screening, and this is what most people think of when they hear “security.” The second layer is called Pre-Check, which allows you to bypass some of the lines at airports by getting a trusted traveler program (TTP). The third layer is known as TSA Pre check, which allows you to get through airport security faster with a trusted traveler program (TTP). Another layer of U.S aviation security is the no- fly list and passenger pre screening program (NSPP). The no-fly list is a database maintained by the Federal Aviation Administration that contains the names of people who are not allowed to fly in or out of any airport, even if they...

Aircraft landing gear system is a complicated mechanical and electrical assembly that includes the wheels, brakes, wheel bearings and other related parts. The landing gear systems are designed to safely support the aircraft when it is on the ground. What are Aircraft wheel/tires? Wheels are also known as tires or rims. Wheels provide traction for aircraft during take-off and landing by providing continuous rotation of rotating airfoils (wheels) under thrusting force of engine(s). Wheel design varies in size, shape, material composition and tread pattern according to different conditions such as weight capacity requirement at various speeds. How do Aircraft wheels/tires work? Wheels are designed to absorb the energy from the engines. The wheels are also designed to reduce wear and tear from friction caused by moving parts of aircraft during its operation. The main function of a wheel is that it allows the plane to take off and land safely, without any damage or accident. Wheels have var...