Date of Award

12-2011

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science (MS)

Department

Aeronautics

First Advisor

John E. Deaton

Second Advisor

Tom Utley

Third Advisor

Gordon Patterson

Fourth Advisor

Korhan Oyman

Abstract

The problem of bird strikes began when human aviators made their first ventures in flight and joined birds in an already crowded environment. In the decades following these first flights, the bird strike problem has resulted in numerous fatalities and millions of dollars worth of damaged or destroyed aircraft in both civil and military aviation. The problem has been further exacerbated by the technological leaps in the aviation industry such as the increase in the number of aircraft and engines on an aircraft, the introduction of the jet engine, and also faster, quieter more efficient engine design making aircraft harder to detect.

In this thesis, the Avian Hazard Advisory System was evaluated as a possible bird strike risk assessment tool to mitigate the increasing bird strike problem. Data were collected from the FAA's Wildlife Strike Database and statistical and descriptive analyses performed to determine the efficacy of the AHAS system. If proven to be a useful tool in bird strike predictions, the AHAS system would be a valuable tool to pilots, dispatchers and airport personnel, increase safety by aiding in better decision making during the flight planning process.

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