The primary objective of this research paper is to gather information on how individuals engaged in flight operations and maintenance activities perceive the expanding role of automation as it relates to the integration of Uncrewed Aerial Systems Traffic Management (UTM) into the National Airspace System (NAS). Rulemaking efforts to address operations beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS), including operations over people, performance requirements for aircraft, and operator qualifications, among others, have been ongoing. Decisions regarding a system architecture that reflects requirements of a fully automated service model that interfaces with current Air Traffic Services systems are yet to be finalized. Gaining the perspective of individuals currently working in the field of aviation is an important step in gauging any resistance to change and support for the rapid evolution occurring in the global Air Traffic Management (ATM) system.

The primary purpose of this research was to evaluate the differences in retention intention between men and women in collegiate aviation programs. Data was collected through the use of surveys and follow-up interviews. It was found that women are no more likely than men to consider dropping out of their academic institution or abandoning the pursuit of a career in aviation. Regardless of retention intention, women in collegiate aviation programs report a much lower sense of belonging than men, which can be attributed to low self-efficacy, a lack of representation of women, and feeling disconnected from both peers and faculty. All of the women interviewed did not identify gender as a salient identity when describing these similar experiences and instead pointed to other social identities and factors to explain their feelings. Survey and interview results, however, indicate that women in collegiate aviation programs often responded to questions similarly regardless of experience level, race and ethnicity, or sexual orientation.

The aviation industry is considered to be the safest when it comes to transportation of people and property. The standards by which companies provide air transportation are held are very high. Nevertheless, a shortage in the number of pilots exists and companies must look for ways to meet demands. One of the ways to resolve this issue is to introduce unmanned systems on a broader scale – to transport people and property. The public’s perception regarding this issue has not been well documented. This survey identified what the public’s attitude is towards the use of these systems. One hundred fifty-seven people participated in this survey. Statistical analyses were conducted to determine if participant demographics, previous aviation background, and comfort levels were significantly related to various transportation technologies. Those who were comfortable or uncomfortable with self-driving cars kept their same comfort level for other technologies such as drone delivery services. The survey also revealed that the vast majority of respondents did not feel comfortable being a passenger on fully autonomous aircraft. With an overwhelming percentage of society not comfortable with the idea of there being no pilot for the aircraft, it is important for companies working to implement this technology to pay close attention to the public perception of autonomous aircraft.

Noise abatement is a current and ever-changing issue that leaves some groups satisfied and others dissatisfied. Given that noise is a natural byproduct of aviation, it is the duty of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to mitigate noise pollution and the effects that it has on the surrounding community. With the FAA currently progressing to modernize the National Airspace System, communities around the United States have expressed their concerns regarding changes of flight paths, notably the City of Phoenix. Public unrest has increased intensively since the implementation of Performance Based Navigation (PBN) departure procedures in September of 2014. The unrest has allegedly stemmed from a lack of consultation from the Federal Aviation Administration to the City of Phoenix and surrounding communities. Documented complaints have not only been filed by the City, but also by National Prehistoric Preservation areas within the valley. The City of Phoenix and the State of Arizona filed a lawsuit against the FAA to dispute the flight path changes. The court ruled in favor of Arizona and required the FAA to revert to the flight paths that were in place before the changes. This paper is an immersion into the current state of what has occurred within the Phoenix Terminal Airspace (PTA), the effects that the changes have had on the natural and social environment, the FAA, and the NextGen initiative which the FAA is said to be implementing. This paper will also inform the reader of how a departure procedure is created, how the public can stay better informed of what the FAA is planning, and possible long-term solutions that will satisfy both the environmental and modernization requirements placed on the PTA.