aeronauticalsciences

[aeronauticalsciences]

4.3 Blog Discussion - Aviation Security

The responsibility that airport security officials have is tremendous. This includes TSA officials and airport police. Not to mention other simple hired guard officers that maintain airport perimeter. According to the website published by the Transportation Security Administration, they explain multiple layers which cohesively work together to mitigate adversary danger. One of the layers would be employee screening.

TSA includes random employee screening as a part of their well rounded strategy to protecting the airport and air travel from threats. As an employee who works at LAX I can say that the TSA does indeed conduct regular random test on all employees at our terminal. This tactic is effective in identifying all employees who are in Secured Identification Display Areas. or SIDA. These checks aid in deterring any potential suspect who might be trying to pose as airport personnel. It is essential that employees at airport always keep their badges present on their person and challenge potential threats not wearing badges. By incorporating this culture of challenging people who are not wearing badges, it aids in improving the safety of everybody at the airport.

Reference

Inside look: TSA layers of security. Inside Look: TSA Layers of Security | Transportation Security Administration. (2017, August 1). Retrieved February 5, 2022, from https://www.tsa.gov/blog/2017/08/01/inside-look-tsa-layers-security

[aeronauticalsciences]

3.2 Blog Discussion: Aircraft Systems in Flight

An aircraft’s fuel system plays a pivotal role in sustained operations in flight and while taxiing. There are two kinds of fuel systems an aircraft may have which are gravity fed or pump fed. In both instances, the main objective of a fuel system to provide an adequate amount of fuel to engine to atomize with air molecules for combustion. One example of a gravity fed fuel system would be the common C-172 in which the high wing fuel tanks allow fuel to seamlessly flow to the engine.

There are several components within a simple fuel system like the Cessna 172 fuel system. Looking at the picture above one can easily identify the yellow fuel lines in the photo. One potential danger involving the fuel system would be fuel starvation to the engine. In this issue the engine ceases to fire due to the lack of fuel air mixture. This problem can cause cylinder head temperature to become increasingly hot due to the lean mixture before the engine ceases to fire.

One potential cause if this issue could be a clogged fuel strainer. A fuel strainer is useful in cleaning fuel of contaminants before it enters the fuel metering device whether that be a carburetor or fuel injection housing.

It is crucial that maintenance technicians follow manufacturer recommendations and established procedures for fuel strainer and whole fuel system inspections to prevent issues like fuel starvation from occurring to aviators mid flight.

Reference

Fuel starvation. SKYbrary Aviation Safety. (2021, October 21). Retrieved January 29, 2022, from https://skybrary.aero/articles/fuel-starvation

#aviation #aviation turbine fuel #generalaviation #aircraft #aircraftmechanic #school

[aeronauticalsciences]

2.3 Blog Discussion: The Operating Environment and Aircraft Performance

The effect of icing on an aircraft’s performance can become extremely detrimental. The Pilot’s Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge mentions icing briefly on page 12-24 stating “The Abundance of Large, supercooled water droplets make clear icing very rapid between 0 degrees celsius and -15 degrees celsius and encounters can be frequent in a cluster of cells. Thunderstorm icing can be extremely hazardous...Thunderstorms are not the only area where pilots could experience icing conditions. Pilots should be alert for icing anytime the temperature approaches 0 degrees celsius and visible moisture is present” This type of environmental factor proves to be dangerous on aircraft performance because it increases the weight of the aircraft in places like the wings especially which in turn lowers the amount of lift the airfoil is able to provide. 

One can see in the photo above the amount of ice that can accumulate on the leading edge of a wing. As a future aircraft mechanic it’s important as well to have a solid understanding of aircraft de-icing components and how they can be serviced and maintained. As a professional knowing the dangers of icing I will make it a common practice to make sure these systems are up to par. 

This discussion of icing also made me reflect on a time when an old coworker was sharing an experience that he had with me. He was a recently instrument rated pilot who was flying with visual flight rules for that day I believe. He was flying in the right seat next to another old co-worker. They were flying back from Santa Barbara to Orange County when they began to fly through a cloud system. My coworker who was in the right seat warned the left seat pilot that he was noticing some icing build up on the wings, but the PIC insisted of making it out of the clouds as they were almost through. This kind of reckless behavior is something to be considerate of even when it’s by people who have a higher authority than you. 

They were flying in the Diamond Star DA-40 

References

Administration, F. A. (2017). Pilot's Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge (federal aviation administration). Skyhorse Publishing.

[aeronauticalsciences]

1.4 Blog Discussion: What Does Ethics in the Aviation Profession Mean to You

Ethics is a difficult topic to discuss because it is so fluid in terms of what can be deemed as ethical and unethical. A teacher once told me “do you know how to make a small fortune in aviation?... start out with a large one” With that being said aviation is an industry that is not considered cheap. It requires immense amounts of money to pursue certain goals in aviation. In an article published by General Aviation News, Janice Wood writes “In calculating “direct” operating costs for any airplane, you must consider all those costs which accrue as the result of actually flying the plane. These include fuel, oil, reserve for engine overhaul, reserve for prop overhaul, any repetitive A.D.’s that are based on hourly usage (like a 500 hour magneto inspection), reserve for avionics repair, and reserve for maintenance” This statement articulates some of the expensive costs associated with purchasing an aircraft. These high operating costs go beyond just genera aviation, but are seen across the board from business aviation to commercial airlines.

In such an expensive field it can be tempting for business owners and managers alike to want to cut corners regarding operating costs like employee wages and purchasing cheap materials. It is essential to avoid these temptations to assure that employees remain a valuable asset, and that aircraft and their components are created with safety in mind. People who end up in leadership positions are raised with different moral compasses, but this is why it is important for business to have established procedures when faces with difficult ethical decisions. It will not always be so clear cut, but having a foundation of solid ethical principles for any company will ensure that people in leadership roles are making sound decisions.

References

Wood, J., About Janice WoodJanice Wood is editor of General Aviation News., says, R., says, G. A. N. S., & Says, A. C. (2001, January 1). Operating cost confusion - know your numbers because it is a most important factor when you buy a plane. General Aviation News. Retrieved January 15, 2022, from https://generalaviationnews.com/2001/01/01/operating-cost-confusion-know-your-numbers-because-it-is-a-most-important-factor-when-you-buy-a-plane/