research topics?

[Tug Driver]

I have a research paper to write and I am having a hard time comming up with ideas. I would like to cover something in aviation. At least one part of the paper has to deal with some type of controversity. Also, I have to cite academic journals. Are there any scholarly aviation journals. The Prof. said that "flying magazine doesn't count."

Any ideas?

 

[Dan CFI/CFII]

"Are there any scholarly aviation journals?"

Not really. All of the aviation rags say is either: "I flew the new Pipessnacraftirrusair and it flew great," or "get in on the hiring boom NOW, pay me money!"

Seriously, you're asking the wrong crowd. If it's for school, go visit your library and see what you can find. I am sure that there are business journals expounding on the relative costs of RJs, on general airline worker salaries, low cost carriers, and just about anything else you can think of.

You aren't going to find a scholarly journal detailing the merits of airline pilots wearing hats or not.

Dan

 

[FN FAL]

I have a research paper to write and I am having a hard time comming up with ideas. I would like to cover something in aviation. At least one part of the paper has to deal with some type of controversity. Also, I have to cite academic journals. Are there any scholarly aviation journals. The Prof. said that "flying magazine doesn't count."

Any ideas?

You could do a paper on the age 60 rule and how some would like it changed and how some would not like it changed. Possible things to cite would be a poll you conducted here. That's citable, I would think?

Then any legislation type stuff could be citable, plus I think anything that was published in a news article, a college paper, a thesis paper or on-line journal should be citable...you just have know how to cite things.

Are you using APA format? I have a template that works with windows word if you need one, it helps you format APA papers. If I can figure out how to email you the thing, you can try it out.

Another controversy has been problems over at the Air Marshals. You could combine a paper on Airmarshals and the FFDO. That might be a tough one, but I would think there are enough news articles to find on the internet that you could gleen enough information to write a paper.

How many papers have you written so far in school and how many words does this one have to be?

 

[freightdogfred]

Why not write a paper on Deregulation??? You could'nt find a more controversial subject, with plenty of pros and cons. The aim of Deregulation was to eliminate Govt interference with the industry, and allow market forces to dictate policies.
Now the Feds are more involved than ever, by levying "security" fees, taxes and surcharges to airline ticket prices to support their newest bloated monster, the TSA. They are bailing out underfunded pension plans, and providing Federal loan guarantees that are just short of pure Socialism. These are the same airlines who cried foul when PanAm cried out for help.

You could write a book, not just a paper....

 

[uwochris]

Deregulation is a good topic, and you will be able to find lots of info. Another good topic would be fatigue, and whether or not the standards for crew rest periods are sufficient.

Other topics:
- Age 60 retirement.
- Technology in the cockpit: good/bad?
- Should pilots be equipped with guns?

Good luck.

 

[Tug Driver]

thanks guys, those are all good ideas. I think I like deregulation and crew rest the best, especially w/ the current events.

You guys Rock!!!

 

[MovingTarget]

Fatigue

Crew rest and fatigue have been beaten to death, but there lies the controversy. You'll find plenty of NASA and NTSB studies and reports showing the direct relationship of fatigue to accidents. In light of this data, crew rest and fatigue regulatory improvements are nowhere in sight. There is a parallel controversy in the trucking industry. You'll have plenty to write about. Go to the air frieght and 135 charter community and you'll have access to plenty of first hand interviews to supplement your NASA and NTSB research. Good luck on your paper.

 

[JediNein]

You might want to try:
Journal of Aviation Psychology
Journal of Human Factors
American Journal of .....

Yes there are scholarly "magazines" out there. www.unomaha.edu/~unoai should point you to some more, but, you'll have to research 'em. If all else fails, try looking at the library's periodical holdings.

Fly SAFE!
Jedi Nein

 

[Airpiraterob]

would JAne's "aviation week & space technology" qualify? its a trade journal of business goings on in the aviation world. thers no flight reviews and what not 'fluff' going on...just hard information.

i still can't believe a study comparing proper sleep cycles to freight flying hasn't come out yet. that would be a good one.

 

[bobbysamd]

Research paper

I recall that Business & Commercial Aviation wasn't too bad of a mag. Also, there was a professional aviation magazine that came out of England that was good. Indeed, Flying and Pain & Pilot (intentional) are sorry excuses for aviation journalism.

Along with the other suggestions, you could research and write a paper on the state of the airlines post-911. You could discuss the days immediately after 911, continue with the massive furloughs that soon followed, and end with how United and U are in bankruptcy and how Delta may soon follow. You could include how the legacy carriers have vended-out much of their work to the regionals and the consequences thereof. You need to include establishment of the TSA, which was certainly controversial, and maybe material from the 911 report.

You could write a paper on the airlines in the 1980s. How Uncle Frank and his buds left their "mark" on the industry. There is abundant research material available on this topic.

Good luck with your paper.

 

[FN FAL]

Deregulation is a good topic, and you will be able to find lots of info. Another good topic would be fatigue, and whether or not the standards for crew rest periods are sufficient.

Other topics:
- Age 60 retirement.
- Technology in the cockpit: good/bad?
- Should pilots be equipped with guns?

Good luck.

Technology in the cockpit? I don't see the controversy, unless you're talking about autonomous flight.

I fly single pilot 135 turbine operations and I'll tell you what, every little bit of technological help I can get in my cockpit is welcome. They can bring on "real time" digital data up-linked weather, FADEC, Transponder Tracking Systems, TLS approaches and GPS precision approaches, TKS deicing systems or something better than boots, TCAS, FLIR coupled with HUD, and digitized communication with ATC...I'll take one each, and whatever else they got that will help me be dispatched with safety and on schedule.

 

[JAFI]

My suggestion:

Don't write a paper about a subject that has been beaten to death. Find a subject that really interests you and that the professor has not read much about. Invoke his self interest.



Looking for Controversy, How about:



1. “are the security measures at the nation’s airports working?”



2. “With all the improvements in aircraft design, safety measures, education, research, etc. why are there still so many accidents that could be easily preventable?”



3. “Will writing this paper make me a better (fill in the blank)?”



4. “With aircraft being designed with out the need for pilots, why am I in school to learn a job that will be taken over by a machine?”



Just some thoughts.



JAFI

 

[Tug Driver]

Thanks again. You all have posted great ideas. I seriously doubt that my Prof has ever read anything on these topics. Its for an English Comp class at a non aviation university.

Thanks again.

 

[flyboytop1]

research paper

well i did my masters paper on unionizing the Armed Forces!! which even today is controversial. I added aviation units in particular for I was in one at the time and to my surprise there was plenty of research material in the local libraries and my aviation university approved it and ultimately passed the final product. My suggestion is find some topic you have first hand experience with and/or a passion in and go for it-you'll find the neccessary material to support your work and create some yourself!! Good luck...