Researchers seek to increase the safety of general aviation airports
August 17, 2011, 09:36 am
Researchers at the University of Arkansas are working on a statistical model of the daily operations of general aviation airports across the United States. According to United Press International, the model may be able to help show unusual activities and provide warning on potential security threats.
The model under development includes numerous facets of daily activity at general aviation airports, including takeoff and landing frequency, total number of based planes and air traffic-control tower information. By using this and other data, the model can detect unusual activity.
"We want to understand the variation associated with usual general aviation activity and operations, so unusual activity can be detected, analyzed and resolved," said Justin Chimka, a professor of industrial engineering. "Based on historical data, there are basic assumptions or expectations about what should be going on at these airports."
The catalyst for concern over general aviation security was the February 2010 attack where a suicide bomber flew a single-engine aircraft into an IRS building in Austin, Texas. Thirteen people were injured and one was killed in the attack.
General aviation safety is always a concern for aviators who have to worry about life insurance for pilots. According to the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association, there were 1,384 general aviation accidents in the United States in 2010. Two hundred and sixty-seven of these were fatal, resulting in 453 deaths.
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