Aviation Timeline Assignment
Select any two significant events from the aviation history timeline (please focus on Covid-19 and 9/11) and conduct an interview with an aviation specialist (or a practising aviator) and provide narratives as follows: a) Write a concise description of each of the two significant events from the aviation history timeline you have chosen. (20) b) Explain why these significant occurrences in the aviation history had a major impact on the course of the aviation history. (10) c) Describe any other important occurrence that shaped the aviation industry since 2002 till present. (10)
The transportation of people and products throughout the globe is greatly aided by the aviation sector, which is a critical cog in the wheel of the global transportation system. The history of the aviation industry is the product of the key events that have transpired throughout the course of its existence and contributed to its development. The terrorist attacks on September 11th, 2001, and the COVID-19 pandemic are two examples of these momentous occurrences. This article has an interview with a working pilot in which they describe the aforementioned events as well as the influence that they had on the aviation business.
Participant in the interview: Captain Misheck Maphosa, an experienced pilot who has worked in the aviation sector for more than 20 years.
Q1: Can you describe the 9/11 terrorist attacks and their impact on the aviation industry?
Captain Misheck: On September 11, 2001, terrorists connected to the Al-Qaeda organisation took control of four commercial aircraft and used them for their own ends. One of the aircraft struck the Pentagon, while the other two landed in fields in Pennsylvania and New York. Two of the planes impacted the Twin Towers of the World Trade Center in New York City. More than 2,900 persons, including passengers, crew members, and ground staff, lost their lives as a direct consequence of the assaults. The immediate effect that this had on the aviation industry was to bring to a halt for many days the operation of all commercial aircraft in the United States. This had the effect of significantly disrupting air travel all over the globe. The attacks also led to heightened security measures being established at airports across the world. One of these measures was the founding of the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) in the United States. This administration adopted additional security processes such as screening passengers and inspecting their bags.
The attacks of September 11 also resulted in a considerable rise in the cost of insurance for airlines, with some premiums going up by as much as 300 percent as a direct result (Israr, 2019). The assaults brought to light the susceptibility of the aviation sector to the dangers posed by terrorists, which led to a rise in investments in security measures and the use of new technology to improve safety and security.
Q2: How did the 9/11 terrorist attacks shape the aviation industry since then?
Captain Misheck: The terrorist events that occurred on September 11th, 2001 were a watershed moment in the history of the aviation industry. As a direct result, airport security protocols and aircraft design underwent considerable revisions. Passengers were compelled to remove their shoes, belts, and electronic gadgets as part of the increased screening procedures that were implemented at airports throughout the world as part of the heightened security measures. The assaults also resulted in the installation of reinforced cockpit doors, which made it far more difficult for hijackers to take control of an airplane.
The catastrophe had substantial repercussions for the economy of the aviation sector, causing a number of airlines to file for bankruptcy and making it difficult for them to recover in the following. According to Molenaar et al. (2020), the attacks of September 11, 2001 led to a decrease in the demand for air travel, and it took the airline sector a number of years to completely recover from this reduction in demand. The attacks also led to the establishment of new rules, like as the US Aviation and Transportation Security Act, which forced the adoption of additional security measures by airlines and airports. These new regulations were a direct result of the increased need for security after the attacks.
Q3: Can you describe the COVID-19 pandemic and its impact on the aviation industry?
Captain Misheck: A pandemic caused by the COVID-19 virus first appeared in Wuhan, China, in late 2019, and has since spread around the world. The virus swiftly spread over the globe, causing millions of cases and hundreds of thousands of fatalities as a direct consequence. The pandemic had a significant influence on the aviation sector due to the fact that countries had to implement travel restrictions and close borders in order to prevent the virus from becoming more widespread. Because of this, there was a considerable drop in the demand for air travel, and as a consequence, several airlines had to temporarily ground their fleets and operate with restricted schedules. According to estimates provided by the International Air Transport Association (IATA), the pandemic was responsible for a loss of more than $370 billion in passenger revenue in only the year 2020 (Dube et al., 2021).
Q4: How did the COVID-19 pandemic shape the aviation industry since then?
Captain Misheck: The COVID-19 epidemic has had a major effect on the aviation industry, which has resulted in considerable changes in both the operations of air travel and the behavior of passengers. In order to stop the spread of the virus, airlines have been forced to impose additional health and safety standards, such as requiring passengers to wear masks, conducting temperature checks, and maintaining social distance between passengers. The epidemic has also hastened the use of new technology, like as biometric identification and contactless check-in and boarding at airports.
The pandemic brought to light the susceptibility of the aviation sector to global health crises. As a result, there has been a greater focus placed on the need of resilience and risk management within the industry. The industry has been forced to swiftly adjust to the new circumstances, and as a result, many airlines have been forced to reduce the size of their fleets and take other cost-cutting measures in order to withstand the economic effect that the epidemic has had. The crisis has also prompted more cooperation among industry stakeholders, with governments, airlines, and other industry actors working together to set common norms and principles for safe air travel. This increased collaboration has been prompted by the crisis.
Q5: Can you describe any other important occurrence that shaped the aviation industry since 2002 till present?
Captain Misheck: Since 2002, one significant event that has had a significant impact on the aviation sector is the growth of low-cost airlines, sometimes known as LCCs. cheap-cost carriers, often known as LCCs, are airlines that target customers who are price-conscious by providing cheap rates and little amenities. The proliferation of low-cost carriers (LCCs) has had a considerable influence on the conventional airline sector. This has resulted in an increase in competition and the adoption of new business models by traditional airlines.
The aviation sector is placing a greater emphasis on the need of being environmentally responsible and sustainable, which is another significant development. The aviation sector is a substantial contributor to emissions of greenhouse gases, and there has been a steady increase in concern over the toll that air travel has on the natural world. The adoption of more fuel-efficient aircraft and the use of sustainable aviation fuels are only two examples of the measures that airlines have begun to take in order to lessen the impact that they have on the environment.
In conclusion, the terrorist acts on September 11th, 2001, and the COVID-19 epidemic were key events in the aviation sector. These events helped shape the history of the business and contributed to its progress. The incidents have resulted in substantial modifications being made to airport security protocols, aircraft design, and the operations of air travel. The aviation sector has been forced to swiftly adjust to the changing circumstances; as a result, several airlines have been forced to reduce the size of their fleets and take other cost-cutting measures in order to withstand the economic effect of the events. Since 2002, many significant events have occurred that have had a significant impact on the industry. These events include the growth of low-cost carriers as well as an increased emphasis on environmental responsibility and sustainability. The aviation business is continuously undergoing change, and it will be fascinating to see how the sector responds to the forthcoming possibilities and difficulties.
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Question 2 Describe the development of the aviation industry, taking into consideration the following aspects: a) Technological advances in aviation industry; (20) b) Role of innovation in aviation; and (20) c) Impact of flight on both aircrew and passengers. (20)
Since the Wright brothers completed the world’s first controlled powered flight in 1903, the aviation industry has witnessed enormous advancement. The industry has been formed by a variety of causes, some of which include the progression of technology, the introduction of new ideas, and the effect that flying has on aircrew members and passengers. The purpose of this article is to present an outline of the progression of the aviation sector while taking these factors into account.
The Aviation Industry’s Response to Recent Technological Developments
Over the course of its history, the aviation sector has seen a multitude of notable technical developments. In the annals of aviation history, the invention of the jet engine stands out as a crucial turning point. Frank Whittle is credited with inventing the first operational jet engine in 1937, and the first flight propelled by a jet engine took place in 1941. The invention of the jet engine brought about a sea change in the aviation industry by making it possible for airplanes to travel at higher speeds while using less fuel. According to Heiets and Yibing (2021), the invention of the jet engine led to the creation of commercial aircraft that were much bigger, significantly faster, and significantly more fuel efficient.
The use of composite materials in airplane building represented yet another big step forward in technical development within the aviation sector. The use of composite materials, such as carbon fiber reinforced plastic, has enabled the construction of airplanes that are both lighter and stronger than their predecessors. According to Gole, Dobrea, and Gombos (2021), the use of composite materials has resulted in enhanced fuel economy, decreased costs associated with maintenance, and higher levels of safety.
The aviation industry saw yet another major step forward in terms of technical progress with the creation of fly-by-wire systems. Fly-by-wire systems got rid of mechanical control systems and replaced them with electronic ones, which led to an increase in both accuracy and control over the aircraft. The use of fly-by-wire systems has also contributed to an increase in overall safety by enhancing pilots’ situational awareness and enabling them to make advantage of automatic safety measures (Heiets and Yibing, 2021).
The Importance of Creativity in the Aviation Industry
The growth of the aviation sector may be directly attributed to the contributions that innovation has made. The aerospace sector saw a huge step forward in terms of innovation with the debut of the Boeing 747 in the year 1970. The Boeing 747 was the first airplane to use a wide-body design. Its launch was a watershed moment in the history of aviation since it made it possible to fly longer distances and carry more passengers. According to Molenaar et al.’s 2020 research, passengers on board the 747 had a better pleasant experience because to the aircraft’s provision of facilities such as in-flight entertainment and roomy seats.
The establishment of low-cost airlines (also known as LCCs) is seen as another key advance made in the aviation business. cheap-cost carriers, often known as LCCs, are airlines that target customers who are price-conscious by providing cheap rates and little amenities. The proliferation of low-cost carriers (LCCs) has had a considerable influence on the conventional airline sector. This has resulted in an increase in competition and the adoption of new business models by traditional airlines. Molenaar et al. (2020) state that the success of low-cost carriers (LCCs) may be ascribed to their capacity to cut costs by minimizing the provision of in-flight amenities and making the most efficient use of their aircraft.
The widespread adoption of the internet and the subsequent growth of e-commerce have both been game-changing developments in the aviation sector. Because of the internet, air travel is now more open and convenient than ever before; travellers can now book tickets, check in, and get information on their flights all from the comfort of their own homes. E-commerce has also made it possible for airlines to generate new income streams, such as auxiliary services and loyalty programs (Molenaar et al., 2020). These new revenue streams have helped airlines increase their profits.
The Effects of Flying on Both the Crew and the Passengers
There has been a considerable effect that flying has had on both flight crews and passengers. The phenomenon that is now known as “jet lag” is one of the consequences of flying that has had one of the most important effects on the crew. The term “jet lag” refers to the disturbance of the circadian rhythm that occurs in the body as a result of rapidly changing time zones. According to Heiets and Yibing (2021), jet lag is a serious worry not just for airline crew members but also for customers since it may result in weariness, sleeplessness, and other health problems.
The consequences of air travel, both good and bad, have had a tremendous influence on travelers, and this has led to both positive and negative outcomes for passengers. Passengers have the advantage of being able to travel across greater distances in a shorter amount of time while using less resources thanks to air travel. People are now able to visit locations that were previously unreachable to them or required an excessive amount of time to get. Air travel has made this possibility attainable. However, air travel may also have unfavorable effects on passengers, such as the increased chance of developing deep vein thrombosis (DVT), which is a kind of blood clot that originates in a deep vein, most often in the legs. Another potential adverse effect of air travel is noise pollution. Sitting for extended periods of time, such as those that occur on long-haul flights, may increase the risk of developing DVT. According to Dube, Nhamo, and Chikodzi (2021), the risk of developing deep vein thrombosis (DVT) may be reduced by taking frequent pauses and engaging in leg exercises when traveling.
Exposure to radiation is another another detriment that passengers experience as a result of air travel. This is especially true for regular fliers and members of the flight crew, who are subjected to greater quantities of cosmic radiation. According to Heiets and Yibing (2021), being exposed to cosmic radiation may raise the likelihood of developing cancer as well as other health complications. The aviation industry has devised methods to prevent exposure to cosmic radiation. These precautions include reducing the amount of time aircrew spends at high altitudes and employing aircraft that have increased radiation shielding.
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Conclusion
In conclusion, the aviation sector has been subject to tremendous transformations over the course of the years. These transformations have been driven by technology breakthroughs, innovations, and the effect that flying has on aircrew members and passengers. Important steps forward in terms of technical progress were taken in the industry with the invention of the jet engine, the introduction of composite materials, and the creation of fly-by-wire control systems. Significant breakthroughs that have changed the sector include the debut of the Boeing 747, the rise of low-cost carriers (LCCs), the arrival of the internet, and the introduction of electronic commerce. Negative effects of air travel include exposure to radiation, delayed onset of sleep deprivation (jet lag), and deep vein thrombosis (DVT), and these are just some of the problems that might arise from flying. The aviation business is continuously undergoing change, and it will be fascinating to see how the sector responds to the forthcoming possibilities and difficulties.
References
Gole, I., Dobrea, R.C. and Gombos, C.C., 2021. Aviation industry-challenges and uncertainties after the Covid-19 pandemic. In SHS Web of Conferences (Vol. 92, p. 01010). EDP Sciences.
Molenaar, D.M., Bosch, F., Guggenheim, J., Jhunjhunwala, P., Loh, H.H. and Wade, B., 2020. The post-COVID-19 flight plan for airlines. Dostupno na: https://www. bcg. com/publications/2020/post-covid-airline-industry-strategy (16.08. 2020.).
Dube, K., Nhamo, G. and Chikodzi, D., 2021. COVID-19 pandemic and prospects for recovery of the global aviation industry. Journal of Air Transport Management, 92, p.102022.
Heiets, I. and Yibing, X.İ.E., 2021. The Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on the Aviation Industry. Journal of Aviation, 5(2), pp.111-126.
Israr, M., 2019. Impact of terrorism on Pakistan’s aviation industry: A case study of Bacha Khan International Airport Peshawar (2001-2015) (Doctoral dissertation, university of Peshawar, Peshawar).