Aviation Safety - Term Paper Example

 Aviation safety 1. Introduction The continuous development of technology in all human activities has led to the transformation of commerce and scientific research worldwide. Most commonly, the high intervention of technology in a particular industry is considered as an indication of the industry’s high performance. In practice, the above view has been strongly questioned. This phenomenon is made clear in the aviation industry. Despite the fact that technology used in this industry is continuously reviewed and improved, still accidents are kept at high levels. It seems that the increase of aviation safety is related not just to the range of technologies involved in the relevant plans but also to the ability and skills of people participating in the specific activities. Indeed, the human factor has been proved of major importance for the success of measures referring to aviation industry. The key elements of aviation safety are reviewed in this paper; effort is made so that the factors influencing the aviation safety are identified and evaluated. At the same time, measures are suggested for increasing aviation safety. In any case, emphasis is given on the long-term performance of the relevant plans than in the achievement of significant improvements within a short period of time. Promoting a long lasting aviation safety framework should be the priority of legislators working in this field. Often, the limited number of accidents in this industry is considered as an indicator of a successful aviation safety framework, a fact which is not true as proved through the research developed in the literature published in the particular sector. 2. Aviation safety – overview and elements The issue of safety in the aviation industry is considered as of high importance, taking into consideration the number of people using this means of transport on a daily basis. Airplane is characterized as one of the most safety means for traveling; however, accidents in this industry are still at high levels, using as a criterion not just the range of these accidents but also the level of losses in terms of humans. In accordance with Prinzel,Hughes, Kramer & Jarvis (2004) ensuring aviation safety is a challenging task. It is explained that the achievement of such target can be quite difficult even if the technology available is of high quality. It is also noted that the improvement of effectiveness of aviation safety plans is emergent since ‘the number of people using airplane is expected to be doubled by 2017’ (Prinzel,Hughes, Kramer & Jarvis 2004, p.169). It is also explained that the problem with accidents in the aviation industry is that they usually result to the death of many people, so that even one single accident in the aviation industry should be regarded as an initiator for supporting the development of long lasting aviation safety plans (Prinzel,Hughes, Kramer & Jarvis 2004). On the other hand, it seems that accidents in the aviation industry are not assessed properly; reference can be made, for example to the factors that can affect the survival of people in an aircraft accident (United States General Accounting Office 2003). Indeed, the existing measures for ensuring the survival of people in such events seem to be quite limited – under certain terms, no provision exist for the passengers of an aircraft in case they would have to face the survival in an aircraft accident. Under these terms, it is noted that the information related to accidents in the aviation industry is not appropriately interpreted, at least, in many cases (Dillingham 2011) leading to the existence of gaps, meaning the elements of accidents that are not taken into consideration by legislators or by aircraft designers. At the same time, aviation safety plans, as all similar projects, are strongly based on the human factor, i.e. individuals who are involved, more or less, in the realization of these plans (Harris & Muir 2005). In many cases, the criteria used for choosing staff in the aviation industry are not appropriate, leading to problems in the performance of aviation safety plans (Howell & Van Hemel 2007). In accordance with the above, the elements of aviation safety can vary, including the technology used for designing/ constructing an aircraft, the rules used for monitoring aviation safety plans and the skills of individuals involved in the relevant initiatives. 3. Factors affecting aviation safety Different views have been developed in the literature regarding the reasons for the non-standardization of performance of plans related to aviation safety. In accordance with Salas & Maurino (2010) the technology used in the aviation industry can strongly influence the performance of aviation safety measures. However, it is explained that technology is not the sole factor affecting aviation safety. More specifically, through a series of data related to past aviation accidents it has been revealed that the following factors are expecting to influence aviation safety: a) the type and the quality of technology used in the cabin; reference is made to the material used but also to the methodologies and principles on which the design of the cabin, and the rest parts of the vessel, has been based, b) the use of devices of advanced technology; for example, reference is made to the ‘Traffic alert and Collision Avoidance System’ (Salas & Maurino 2010, p.8); the use of the above device has helped to the limitation of accidents in the airspace which is ‘highly congested’ (Salas & Maurino 2010, p.8), c) the implementation of schemes for increasing employees’ support; for instance, the use of effective training systems would help to the increase of employee performance and the limitation of failures of the aviation safety plans. As already explained above the human factor is of critical importance for aviation safety; however, the level at which this factor can influence the aviation safety plans is not standardized. Another factor that can influence aviation safety seems to be the theoretical work developed in this field. Salas & Maurino (2010) refer to the ‘concepts such as the threat and error management’ (Salas & Maurino 2010, p.8). It is explained that these concepts are likely to be used during the implementation, or the monitoring, of aviation safety plans. From this point of view, the theory influences the decisions of people working in the industry, also the decisions of legislators setting the legal framework of aviation safety. Thus, theory should be considered as a critical factor for the success of aviation safety plans. As explained above, aircraft is a safe means of transport. However, because of the high number of passengers of each trip, aircrafts have been often considered as an ideal way for promoting terrorism (Ravitz 2009). Aircraft has another point, which may be considered as advantageous for terrorists worldwide; it can be used as a means for hitting targets in the earth; this was the case in the events of September of 11th that stigmatized the aviation industry. The above event proved that the increase of safety in air travel is not related only to the passengers but also to other people, meaning the people living in surrounding areas. However, the measures suggested for the increase of aviation safety have been often negatively criticized as not being aligned with existing social values and ethics. 4. Measures for increasing aviation safety The increase of risks related to aviation safety has been an issue of major importance for researchers and legislators working in the particular field. As explained above, the measures taken for promoting aviation safety are carefully planned and monitored. However, the failures related to aviation safety have not been reduced; indeed, the rate of failure of the systems and plans involved in this sector can be characterized as high. Measures have been proposed for ensuring aviation safety in countries worldwide. In accordance with a report published in 2000 the review of existing studies and cases related to aviation safety has been considered as an effective way for improving the performance of systems used in aviation, especially in regard aviation safety (United States General Accounting Office 2000). In the above study reference is made to the Safer Skies initiative, a program aiming to resolve ‘long lasting aviation safety problems that have received less extensive study’ (United States General Accounting Office 2000, p.11). It is made clear that the increase of effectiveness of measures related to aviation safety is depended on ‘the successful implementation of the relevant interventions’ (United States General Accounting Office 2000, p.11). Emphasis is given on the development of a tracking system that would be able to check all phases of implementation of relevant measures, for instance the plans referring to the increase of cabin safety for passengers (United States General Accounting Office 2000). Also, it is explained that the criteria for the assessment of aviation safety measures should be alternated, taking into consideration the continuous change of technology used in the particular sector. On the other hand, in accordance with Dillingham (2010) the existing framework for assessing data related to aviation safety should be changed. It is noted that, traditionally, data related to past accidents in the aviation industry are used as the basis for developing assumptions on the potential improvements of aviation safety plans, as these plans are promoted in countries worldwide (Dillingham 2010). However, the interpretation of these data should be appropriately prepared; accidents in the aviation industry should be interpreted using also data related to other aviation safety events, such as the findings related to the performance of aviation safety measures or findings reflecting the response of the public to various aviation safety measures (Dillingham 2010). In other words, the identification of the reasons of accidents in the aviation industry should not be just part of the effort for increasing aviation safety. The improvement of the aviation safety measures in the long term should be the key target of legislators worldwide; the fact that accidents in the aviation industry of a country are kept at low levels cannot lead to the assumption that the systems promoting aviation industry in this country are of high quality. The development of aviation safety measures that can ensure the high performance of aviation safety systems should be preferred; the long-term performance of these systems should be the basis for assessing the level of aviation safety in the relevant region. 5. Conclusion The development of effective aviation safety plans is depended on a series of factors; as explained above, the elements of aviation safety are not standardized. They can incorporate a wide range of rules and frameworks, referring to both the technical and the theoretical part of aviation safety. In this context, the factors affecting the aviation safety can vary. Most commonly the technology used for the design and development of aircrafts is considered as a critical factor for ensuring aviation safety. The literature published in this field, as presented above, has led to a different assumption: technology is of vital importance for the promotion of aviation safety. However, there are other factors, such as the skills of individuals working in the industry, which are also likely to affect the performance of aviation safety plans. In any case, reference should be also made to the climate changes that have significantly affected the aviation safety, as such issue is made clear through the number of accidents related to climate change (Thomas 2010). As of the security developed in airports worldwide, this does not seem to have played a key role in aviation safety (Ravitz 2009). Indeed, in most cases where an aircraft accident was related to terrorism activity, the existing measures of safety have not helped to avoid the event. However, trends of increase of these measures can be identified worldwide (Wall 2011). At this point, the following issue appears: using as an argument the increase of aviation safety legislators worldwide have tried to increase the security measures in airports; however, such initiatives should be carefully reviewed as of the existing balance between the target set and the principles violated. The establishment of long lasting aviation safety measures should not lead to the elimination of social ethics and principles, especially since the increase of aviation safety would be achieved even without attempting the alternation of existing social frameworks worldwide. References Dillingham, G. (2011) Aviation Safety: Certification and Approval Processes are Generally Viewed as Working Well, But Information Needed to Improve Efficiency. Darby, PA: DIANE Publishing. Dillingham, G. (2010). Aviation Safety: Improved Data Quality and Analysis Capabilities are Needed as FAA Plans a Risk-Based Approach to Safety Oversight. Darby, PA: DIANE Publishing, 2010 Harris, D. & Muir, H. (2005). Contemporary issues in human factors and aviation safety. Surrey: Ashgate Publishing. Howell, W. & Van Hemel, S. (2007). Staffing standards for aviation safety inspectors. Washington, D.C: National Academies Press National Research Council (U.S.). Committee on the Effects of Aircraft-Pilot Coupling on Flight Safety (1997). Aviation safety and pilot control: understanding and preventing unfavorable pilot-vehicle interactions. Washington, DC: National Academies Press Prinzel, L.,Hughes, M., Kramer, L. & Jarvis, A. (2004) Human performance, situation awareness and automation: current research and trends : HPSAA II, Volume 1. London: Routledge. Ravitz, J.(2009). Airport security bares all, or does it? CNN Travel. Retrieved from http://articles.cnn.com/2009-05-18/travel/airport.security.body.scans_1_airport-security-additional-screening-whole-body-imaging?_s=PM:TRAVEL Salas, E. & Maurino, D. (2010). Human factors in aviation. London: Academic Press Thomas, G. (2010). Climate change may impact aviation safety, ICAO warns. Air Transport World. Retrieved from http://atwonline.com/eco-aviation/article/climate-change-may-impact-aviation-safety-icao-warns-0517 United States General Accounting Office (2003). Aviation safety advancements being pursued to improve airliner cabin occupant safety and health. Darby, PA: DIANE Publishing United States General Accounting Office (2000) Aviation safety: Safer Skies Initiative has taken initial steps to reduce accident rates by 2007 : report to the Subcommittee on Aviation, Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, House of Representatives. Darby, PA: DIANE Publishing Wall, R. (2011). In Europe, Aviation Safety Concerns Grow. Aviation Week. 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