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2nd Aviation Education and Research Symposium: “Contemporary Issues in Aviation Education and Research”
(Massey University, 2010-07) Pérezgonzález, Jose D.
Massey University School of Aviation is pleased to announce the second Aviation Education and Research Symposium to be held at Palmerston North on 28-29 July 2010, in conjunction with the Aviation Industry Association of New Zealand and Royal Aeronautical Society, New Zealand. This event is intended as a forum for disseminating research and discussing current issues in aviation, with an emphasis on bridging theory and practice. It will present an opportunity for "a meeting of the minds" for academics and practitioners in the aviation industry. The theme for this symposium "Contemporary Issues in Aviation Education and Research" is broad to encourage a greater spectrum of submissions encompassing aviation psychology, education, technology, training, and the economic aspects of the industry. We are delighted at the interest generated and the range of papers received from Australia and New Zealand. The conference papers have been classified into five sessions, with ‘Aviation Psychology’ and ‘Aviation Education’ on the first day, followed by ‘Commercial Aspects of Aviation’, ‘Aviation Technology’ and ‘Training for new technology - the man-machine interface’ on the second day. We welcome delegates to attend, participate and share information on the latest developments in the industry.
3rd Aviation Education and Research Symposium: “Contemporary Issues in Aviation Education and Research”
(Massey University, 2011) Pérezgonzález, Jose
Massey University School of Aviation is pleased to announce the third Aviation Education and Research Symposium to be held at Wellington on 05-06 July 2010, in conjunction with the Aviation Industry Association of New Zealand and Royal Aeronautical Society, New Zealand. Encouraged by the success of the previous two seminars, we have continued with sessions that enable both academics and practitioners from the aviation industry to share views and developments. The event will be a venue for disseminating research, and an opportunity for theory and practice to converge. We have retained the same theme "Contemporary Issues in Aviation Education and Research", as this appears to attract a greater spectrum of submissions across aviation psychology, education, technology, training, and the economic aspects of the industry. The conference papers have been peer-reviewed and classified into three sessions, with ‘Aviation Training’ on the first day, followed by ‘Aviation Psychology’, ‘Aviation Education’ and ‘Commercial Aspects of Aviation’ on the following day. We welcome delegates to attend, participate and share information on the latest developments in the industry.
Airline passengers’ rights to information and the strange case of the right to be informed about destinations
(2010) Pérezgonzález, Jose D.; Gilbey, Andrew
This research explored whether airline passengers wanted more rights to know about the safety and economic conditions of their flights, as well as the right to be reimbursed if they decided not to flight because of perceived risks. Overall, passengers agreed somehow on having more safety rights, but not so regarding financial rights. Surprisingly, they also wanted to have the right to be informed about their destinations (hotels, attractions, etc), something that is foreign to the purpose and duties of air transport.
The application of the New Zealand Civil Aviation Rule Part 115 for the regulation of adventure aviation activities : dissertation submitted in partial fulfillment for the degree of Master of Aviation Management, Department of Aviation, Massey University
(Massey University, 2011) Marriott, David
Research was undertaken to examine the implementation requirements of a proposed rule, NZCAR Part 115,which has been developed with the intention to regulate “adventure aviation” activities in New Zealand. The regulation applies to a wide range of tourism focused airborne operations including the use of ex-military and aerobatic aircraft for joyriding, passenger flights in balloons, gliders, tandem parachuting and hang-gliding operations. The rule was considered necessary as there has been a lack of any recognized safety standards applicable to these activities when they are conducted beyond a purely recreational purpose. An increasing number of operators commercialise their activities by focusing on taking passengers for rides as opposed to conducting training or “trial flights” (which are assumed to be for the purpose of introducing people to the sport). Many of these operations use non-certified aircraft which have not been intended for the carriage passengers on a commercial scale. Where paying passengers are carried, safety is assumed to require a greater level of management. The regulator – the New Zealand Civil Aviation Authority - considers that a formal system that applies standards similar to those of small airline would be more appropriate. A new rule was required due to the novel and diverse nature of activities, and the various types of aircraft used. Specialist legislation for adventure aviation would also open up the sector for further commercial opportunities and would provide the ability to regulate such activities within the civil aviation system. The thesis includes a review of literature which examines the basis of the legislatory requirements and defines the rationale for the rule-making standard, as well as introducing notions for defining and assessing risk within aviation. The review also looks at published industry reaction to the development of the Rule. A part of the research, the survey of operators, elicits their opinion as to the workability of the new legislation. The survey also tests the current level of each operator’s compliance according to a 72 point checklist of operational items and ascertains what modifications to the systems and practices are required in order to comply. The research outcomes identified two groups of operators - one of which has standards and systems that are close to compliance with the new legislation and the other for which compliance would be difficult due to deficient systems and practices. Analysis of the differences highlighted a cultural separation of the groups in terms of their connection with mainstream general aviation and their understanding of the risk management concepts and practices required for commercial operations. The discussion of the results of the research highlights problems with the application of the proposed regulation, particularly to the non-compliant group. Issues include the recreational origins of the sector, a lack of acceptance of the Rule by operators, and on-going problems with the consultation and collaboration in the rule-development process. Workable compliance strategies and processes are discussed, including developing an ecological approach to managing safety as part of best practice. Recommendations look at possible strategies for implementation including the requirement for more pro-active education and enculturation processes, and the formation of a national representative body
Aviation Education and Research Conference proceedings "Contemporary Issues in Aviation Education and Research"
(Massey University, 2009-07) Yaansah, Robert
‘Contemporary issues in aviation education and research’ is the theme for the inaugural Aviation Education and Research Conference to be held in Blenheim on the 29-30 July as part of the New Zealand Aviation Conference week. The conference is being organised by the Massey University School of Aviation in conjunction with the Aviation Industry Association of New Zealand. “This event is intended as a forum for disseminating research and discussing current issues in aviation, with an emphasis on bridging theory and practice,” says Mr Ashok Poduval, General Manager of the Massey University School of Aviation, “It will also present an opportunity for ‘a meeting of the minds’ for academics and practitioners in the aviation industry.” The two day conference has generated a lot of interest within New Zealand as well as in Australia and the wider international academic community, with many attendees and presenters crossing the Tasman to be part of this event. “We are very pleased with the response,” adds Dr Robert Yaansah, Postgraduate Programmes and Research Coordinator of Massey School of Aviation. “A wide range of papers have been received from academics, representing a good cross section of universities within the Australasia region. Additionally, a number of our PhD Aviation students are presenting papers related to their research. This conference should establish that the region has an academic community with a strong focus on aviation education and research, as good as elsewhere in the world.”
A convenient regression formula for predicting Skytrax’s Official World Airport Star ratings
(2011) Pérezgonzález, Jose D.; Gilbey, Andrew
Skytrax audits and ranks airports internationally in its yearly ‘Official World Airport Star Ranking’. Unfortunately, its activity is severely restricted, at most covering just 3% of those airports listed by Skytrax as open to review by passengers in its website in 2010. This research article explored the possibility of using a readily available variable as predictor, as an alternative way of ranking the remaining 97% of airports in a simpler and more straightforward manner. The regression formula retained correlated highly with the criterion variable, accounting for 45% of its variance, thus supporting the viability of using customer reviews as a possible way of predicting ranking scores for airport not officially audited by Skytrax.
Customer satisfaction with air service delivery within Kiribati : a thesis submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Aviation at Massey University, Turitea campus, Palmerston North
(Massey University, 2012) Teikake, Aako
Delivering high quality service to passengers is important so that airlines can survive and strengthen their competitiveness. Service quality conditions influence an airline’s competitive advantage, and with it come market share, and ultimately profitability (Morash & Ozment, 1994). Since, service quality is an important factor in customer satisfaction; this study is basically conducted in Kiribati so that the level of satisfaction can be described allowing an airline and airport management to fully recognize the deficiencies of their service quality. This thesis assessed customer satisfaction with air service delivery within Kiribati, including interisland comparisons. The main research objective of the study was to describe the level of customer satisfaction with the service delivery of both the domestic airline and local airports. The research method consisted of a survey regarding satisfaction with both airline and airport services. A structured questionnaire was developed using the SKYTRAX questionnaire as benchmark. The questionnaire was personally administered to the target population of domestic air travellers within Kiribati. A stratified sampling procedure was used for this research. Each stratum represents different levels of air service availability within the Gilbert group because of geographical distance from the capital. An island within each stratum was selected as being most representative of such stratum. A total of 200 questionnaire were distributed, 50 questionnaire per stratum, of which were returned. Therefore, the final research sample consisted of 177 participants. Results show that, irrespective of islands, customer satisfaction is poor. This indicates that air service quality does not match the expectations of customers. With respect to islands, the study also found that passengers are not satisfied with air service delivery on their respective islands, including both the domestic airline and the local airport. This study also concludes that satisfaction level is significantly different between islands, age groups and gender. Although there are service dimensions which were reported as satisfactory by customers, satisfaction levels were, overall, poor. In conclusion, this study suggests that policy-makers as well as airline and airport management need to take workable measures to improve upon air service quality. It is important for air service providers to recognize the importance of customer satisfaction; as such satisfaction may be the pillar for business continuation in Kiribati. Air Kiribati as well as airport managers must identify and improve upon factors that could limit or prevent customer defection to alternative transport modes. These factors may include employee performance and professionalism, willingness to solve problems, friendliness, and level of knowledge, communication skills and selling skills, among others.
Developing proficiency in air transport pilots : the case for the introduction on non-technical skills in basic pilot training programmes : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of PhD Aviation at Massey University, Palmerston North
(Massey University, 2008) De Montalk, Ritchie James
This study examines the differences between the skills and competencies of New Zealand flight school graduates and the types of skills and competencies believed to define a proficient air transport pilot. In New Zealand the training of professional pilots is directed towards meeting the requirements laid down by the New Zealand Civil Aviation Authority for the licensing of professional pilots. However, some evidence suggests that competence for licensing purposes does not necessarily meet the requirements of the airlines and the types of skills that they require as a prerequisite to airline training. Although not clearly defined, this shortfall has been recognised for several decades and traditional thinking is that extra flying experience gained as a general aviation pilot will develop the skills necessary for entry into airline pilot training. The importance that pilots of differing experience levels attach to technical and non-technical skills and their perception of the training effectiveness of those skills and how deficiencies in those skills contributed to aircraft accidents was explored by a four stage study including: i) a review and analysis of flight test results obtained from graduate pilots on a university air transport pilot programme; ii) the analysis of responses to questionnaires supplied to three pilot groups within the New Zealand aviation industry; iii) the analysis of air transport aircraft accidents and their primary and contributing causes; and iv) interviews with qualified airline pilots working for New Zealand airlines. The results indicated that throughout the spectrum of experience and qualifications, from student pilot to airline pilot, the technical skill of aircraft handling was highly valued and the training in this skill was considered by all pilots to be satisfactory. In contrast, while non-technical skill deficiencies were found to be primary or contributing factors in many aircraft accidents, less importance was attached to non-technical skills by all pilot groups. The training effectiveness of these skills was rated as only moderately effective or of minimal effectiveness. The findings are discussed and recommendations are made for the improvement of basic flight training. In addition, a model is proposed for the fast tracking of flight school graduates into the airline training schools. Several areas for future research are also proposed.
The effect of propaganda about climate change on people’s desire to fly
(2010) Gilbey, Andrew; Pérezgonzález, Jose; Tani, Kawtar
The theory of Psychological Reactance suggests that in response to regulations or impositions that impinge upon real or perceived freedoms and autonomy, people may find the restricted behaviour or product appeared more desirable. This reaction is especially common when individuals feel obliged to adopt a particular opinion or engage in a specific behaviour (Brehm & Brehm, 1981). Many sources suggest that aviation has a significant effect on global warming (e.g., Greenpeace). This pilot study explored whether, via the phenomenon of Psychological Reactance, people’s desire for air travel increases following exposure to propaganda about climate change and global warming.
Examining the relationship between shift pattern, risk perception, fatigue, subjective well-being and stress among Mongolian air traffic controllers : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Aviation at Massey University, Manawatu, New Zealand
(Massey University, 2012) Togtokhbayar, Lkhagvasuren
The relationship between shift pattern, fatigue, unrealistic optimism, stress and subjective well-being, may affect the safety of air traffic controllers and their likelihood of continuing in the occupation. The aim of this thesis was therefore to investigate the effect of shift pattern (fixed or rotating) on fatigue, unrealistic optimism, stress and subjective well-being among Mongolian air traffic controllers. A battery of four separate questionnaires (and nine demographic items) was completed by 124 Mongolian air traffic controllers (response rate 71%), of whom there were 31 females and 93 males. Length of employment ranged from two months to 28 years. The main findings were that air traffic controllers who work rotating shifts reported higher subjective fatigue, lower subjective well-being and higher stress compared to their colleagues working in fixed shifts. In addition, there was strong evidence of unrealistic optimism towards both general life and air traffic control specific events. Subsequent investigation revealed that unrealistic optimism towards an air traffic control specific events, was approximately two times less than that towards general life events. There was no evidence that shift pattern, fatigue, unrealistic optimism, stress and subjective well-being were related to the length of employment of participants or the likelihood of continuing in their chosen profession. As unrealistic optimism may affect judgment and decision-making (and it can lead to unnecessary risk-taking in aviation), this lower level of unrealistic optimism towards air traffic specific negative events is considered to be a positive finding. However, it was noted that the overall mean of the perceived stress score of Mongolian air traffic controllers was higher than that of New Zealand air traffic controllers, although lower than New Zealand college students and a smoking-cessation sample. Mongolian air traffic controllers are prey to both unrealistic optimism and the effect of shift pattern on their fatigue, stress and well-being. This thesis highlights the need to be aware that this might lead to compromised decision-making and subsequently, unnecessary risk taking.
Forecasting airport passenger traffic: the case of Hong Kong International Airport
(2011) Tsui, Wai Hong Kan; Balli, Hatice Ozer; Gower, Hamish
Hong Kong International Airport is one of the main gateways to Mainland China and the major aviation hub in Asia. An accurate airport traffic demand forecast allows for short and long-term planning and decision making regarding airport facilities and flight networks. This paper employs the Box-Jenkins Autoregressive Integrated Moving Average (ARIMA) methodology to build and estimate the univariate seasonal ARIMA model and the ARIMX model with explanatory variables for forecasting airport passenger traffic for Hong Kong, and projecting its future growth trend from 2011to 2015. Both fitted models are found to have the lower Mean Absolute Percentage Error (MAPE) figures, and then the models are used to obtain ex-post forecasts with accurate forecasting results. More importantly, both ARIMA models predict a growth in future airport passenger traffic at Hong Kong.
Grappling with complexity : finding the core problems behind aircraft accidents : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Aviation at Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand
(Massey University, 2006) Zotov, Dmitri Victorovitch
The purpose of accident investigation is the discovery of causal factors, so that they may be remedied, in order to avert the recurrence of accidents (ICAO, 1994). However, experience has shown that the present intuitive methods of analysis do not always achieve this aim. Investigation failure may come about because of failure to discover causal factors, or to devise effective remedies, or to persuade those in a position to act of the need to do so. Each of these types of failure can be made less likely by the use of formal analytical methods which can show whether information gathering has been incomplete, and point to the sources of additional information that may be needed. A formal analysis can be examined by formal logical tests. Also, the use of formal change mechanisms can not only devise changes likely to be effective, but can present these changes in such a way that the case for them is compelling. Formal methods currently available are concerned with what happened, and why it happened. To produce generic remedies which might avert future accidents of similar type, some formal change mechanism is needed. The Theory of Constraints has become widely adopted in business as a way of replacing undesirable effects with desired outcomes. The Theory of Constraints has not previously been used for safety investigation, and a principal object of this thesis is to see whether it can usefully be employed in this area. It is demonstrated that the use of formal methodology can bring to light factors which were overlooked during an official accident investigation, and can ‘tell the story’ in a more coherent manner than is possible with present methods. The recommendations derived from the formal analysis are shown to be generic in nature, rather than particular to the airline involved and the accident studied, and so could have a wider effect in improving safety.
Increased risk of multi-crew operations: examining the effect of group polarisation on perceived invulnerability in general aviation pilots
(2010) Lee, Seung Yong; Gilbey, Andrew
According to the theory of group polarisation, perceived invulnerability could be greater in multi-crew operations than for single pilots. The purpose of this study was to measure the level of perceived invulnerability among general aviation pilots in New Zealand and to examine whether the level of perceived invulnerability was influenced by the presence of other pilots. Whilst it is of some concern that the majority of the pilots exhibited perceived invulnerability, no evidence was found to suggest that the level of perceived invulnerability is affected by a group polarisation effect, although further replication of this study is recommended.
Investigating Hong Kong's role as the main air transport hub in the Asia-Pacific region : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Doctorate of Philosophy in Aviation at Massey University, Manawatu Campus, New Zealand
(Massey University, 2012) Tsui, Wai Hong Kan
Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA) has experienced growth in air traffic volumes since its opening in 1998, and has established itself as one of the main international hub airports in the Asia-Pacific region and China’s primary gateway. However, it is concerned about losing this position due to increased competition from alternative international gateway hub airports in Mainland China and around the Asia-Pacific region. In particular, HKIA’s growth in passenger numbers started to show a declining trend and was smaller relative to other regional airports. The objective of this research was to investigate HKIA’s relative operational efficiency and network position and forecast its ability to maintain its role as the main air transport hub in the Asia-Pacific region and the primary passenger gateway to Mainland China. The research in this thesis undertook three separate but related empirical studies to answer several questions that contribute to addressing the overall research objective. The first study used Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) to assess the operational efficiency of HKIA compared to other major Asia-Pacific airports. HKIA was found to reside on the efficiency frontier as one of the most efficient airports in the Asia-Pacific region. In the second study, the NetScan Connectivity Units (CNU) model measured and compared the direct, indirect, and hub connectivity of the major Asia-Pacific airports. HKIA was found to have a competitive position offering larger direct and hub connectivity to other international regions relative to other airports. Furthermore, the market share analysis showed that HKIA maintained its role as China’s primary passenger gateway handling a significant share of China’s inbound international visitors from several regions around the world. In the third study, the Box-Jenkins Seasonal Autoregressive Integrated Moving Average (SARIMA) and ARIMAX models were modelled to forecast Hong Kong airport’s future passenger throughput, and its future passenger throughput were projected to grow. The findings of the research suggested that HKIA has maintained its position as the main air transport hub in the Asia-Pacific region and China’s primary passenger gateway with the support of efficient operations and competitive international flight connectivity networks. Given that HKIA maintains this relative position, its airport passenger throughput is forecasted to grow in the future.
The net profitability of airline alliances using referential dollars
(2011) Pérezgonzález, Jose D.; Lin, Bo
This study revises a previous research in which we analysed the net profitability of airline alliances but did not control for the impact of inflation on such profitability. Using the same methodology, 15 international airlines as subjects and their net financial results for a period of 11 years as primary research variables, we now compared the performance of airlines before and after joining their respective alliances using referential dollars (i.e., constant dollars with 2010 as base year) instead of nominal dollars. The results showed a similar deterioration in short-term net profits after joining an alliance as the previous study did, and a similar behaviour of statistics tests. Thus, the conclusion then achieved still stand after this revision.
Net profitability of airline alliances, an empirical study
(2010) Pérezgonzález, Jose D.; Lin, Bo
This study examines the net return for airlines before and after joining an alliance. The research database was compiled from ICAOData, and comprised 15 international airlines as subjects and their net financial results for a period of 11 years as primary research variables. Two variables, the averages of five and three years net performance before joining an alliance, were tested against another variable, the average net performance five years after joining the alliance. Results show a deterioration of net profits after joining an alliance, although this trend was only significant when comparing performance over the short-term. However, the performance of American airlines accounted for most of this trend, which may have being partly affected by the consequences of September 11 2001.
New technologies in general aviation
(2010) Pérezgonzález, Jose D.; Gilbey, Andrew; Diaz Vilela, Luis
This research explored the technological needs of GA pilots at international levels. Overall, single pilot operators tend to value costs as the most important feature of any technology, followed by technology that helps with pre-flight tasks as well as during flight. Remote monitoring, post-flight analysis and 3-D displays are technological features of lesser importance.
PC-based aviation training devices (PCATDs): research, development and certification
(Massey University, 2011) Reweti, Savern; Gilbey, Andrew; Jeffreys, L; Hall, S
This paper examines the development of two PCATD’s (one helicopter, one fixed-wing) and their eventual certification by CAA. Certification has demonstrated the potential these devices have for aviation training in New Zealand. Traditionally FTD‘s and PCATD’s have been sourced from foreign companies, and they represent a considerable financial investment for large flying training organisations. The procurement of these simulator types is generally beyond the financial resources of most small to medium sized flying schools. Aviation training in NZ is facing significant financial constraints as well as an increasing demand to simulate complex glass cockpit systems that are now installed in most new General Aviation (GA) aircraft. The development, utilisation and certification of this type of PCATD technology could solve these difficult challenges.
A pilot test of the effect of mild-hypoxia on unrealistically optimistic risk judgements
(2010) Gilbey, Andrew; Mundel, Toby; Legg, Stephen; Hill, Stephen; Schlader, Zac; Ramon, Aaron
Although hypoxia is believed to occur above altitudes of 10,000 ft, some have suggested that effects may occur at lower altitudes. This pilot study explored risk judgments under conditions of mild hypoxia (simulated altitude of 8,000 ft). Some evidence of an increased optimism was found at this level, suggesting the need for a larger scale study with more experimental power.
Pilots’ cognition of airport movement area guidance signs
(2010) Lewis, Raymond
Movement Area Guidance Signs (MAGS) are designed to assist pilots when they manoeuvre or taxi an aircraft on the airport prior to take-off and after landing. MAGS are standardized by ICAO and are installed on most major airports. Nevertheless, accident and incident surveys indicate the continuing prevalence of runway incursions and incorrect taxi procedures. The current study extends the findings of work carried out by the University of Newcastle into pilot perception and comprehension of airport movement signs. 18 pilot candidates with a mean age of 20 years and a mean flying experience of 25 hours were tested on their interpretation of MAGS during three simulated taxi manoeuvres. The experimental paradigm was more realistic than the University of Newcastle study in that the simulated taxi manoeuvre was performed with reference to a specific aerodrome chart. Subjects were instructed to taxi from a nominated position at Canberra airport to another nominated position at Canberra airport and were tested on their understanding of MAGS encountered en route. Participants displayed an excellent knowledge of the meaning of the MAGS. The mean score was 56.5 out of a possible 60 points or 94.25%. These results contradict the Newcastle study and indicate that MAGS are effective as a navigation aid for ground-based aircraft operations. Further work is indicated where pilots are tested on their cognition of MAGS when they simultaneously taxi an aircraft whilst performing other tasks associated with ground manoeuvres (for example, reading a pre take-off checklist).

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