The paper discusses information and communication technology use for studying reasons of aviation accidents because of the aviation operator errors as result of internal and external influence. The model and technique are proposed and include integrated ICT united previously developed (initial professional selection and day-to-day pre-shift check), open access cloud-based (NASA and ICAO) and real-time operative (air traffic controllers and pilots control) ICTs, which data are stored in one database. Proposed ICT has been checked to study effect of the solar wind parameters (speed and density) on appearance of aviation incidents and accidents during one year observation. Results of that study were compared with corresponding results of another period of solar activity, as well as with data obtained in laboratory conditions to study cognitive tests performance under effect of the solar wind.
The number of air traffic accidents and incidents (ATA) remains significant despite
the efforts of the aircraft engineers and air carriers. Most of the causes leading to
the erroneous actions in the flight are complex [
Earth´s surface have demonstrated that the negative impact of the solar wind
parameters can occur at both high and even very low SW speed and density values [
Analyzing the reliability of the pilot in the aircraft control loop [
Neurobehavioral performance in the structure of the «human factor»
largely determines the success of professional flight operations and reliability of
professionally important qualities in extreme situations [
Purpose. To develop the model and technique to study solar wind impact on aviation safety. 2
The model developed to solve the task is based on the methodology for studying
emergent industries operators’ performance [
The model of data collection and use for study a solar wind impact on aviation safety (air traffic controllers and pilots reliability) demonstrates the systemic nature of influencing factors (Fig.1).
Observation period: June 1, 2018 to September 2, 2019 (solar cycle 24, minimal solar activity period).
The exposure to solar radiation during space and air flights can have a profound effect on humans´ sensory nervous system. Moreover, other occupational groups of the aircraft industry (air traffic controllers) are also at risk of exposure to solar radiation. Thus, the solar wind has an ability to affect humans on the following three levels (Fig.2): On Earth´s surface (air traffic controllers) In the upper layers of atmosphere (pilots) In the space (astronauts). However, the exact mechanism of such impact is not clearly understood yet. At the same time, it is known however that the Earth´s magnetic shield deflects the primary particles of the solar wind (protons and electrons). This collision generates secondary particles in the atmosphere forming their cascades and an extensive atmospheric shower. As a result, an aviation operator’s performance can be influenced by them depending on a human psychophysiological resilience and train level, including soft skills.
The main results are as follows: Total number of the documented air traffic accidents: 63. SW speed rage by day: 294…612 km/s (57% of all ATAs: V ≤ 400 km/s). SW density range: 0,3…17,1 proton/cm3 (60 % of all ATAs: ρ ≤ 3,1 proton/cm3). But the frequency distribution (using STATISTICS 6.0) of the ATA across the intervals of the revealed bounds of the SW density and speed is not uniform and has some “picks” in both parameters (Fig.3).
Histogram (Two+ Pilot AirTraf ic Accidents_with Histogram_Dec 7 2019 2v*51c)
Solar WindSped = 51*50*normal(x; 399,6078; 57,2667)
Histogram (Two+ Pilot Air Traf ic Accidents_with Histogram_Dec 7 2019 2v*51c)
Solar WindDensity = 51*2,5333*normal(x; 3,3725; 3,0144)
Solar W4in5d0Sped 500 550 600 650 0 0,3 2,8 5,4 S7ol,a9rWind Density 10,4 Fig. 3. SW density and speed across period of ATA studying 13,0 15,5 Distribution in accordance to intervals of the SW parameters in % of the whole numbers of events demonstrated very similar nature in relation to the SW speed (Fig. 4), but different distribution in relation to the SW density (Fig.5)
These results correspond the results of the study a human-operator’s cognitive
changes under influence of the solar wind in laboratory conditions [
It has been confirmed the dependence of the probability of accidents on certain ranges of SW parameter values. However, in contrast to the known data about this dependence in the performance of cognitive activity in experimental conditions on Earth, it was revealed maximum impact on the speed of SW 500600 km/s and density SW 7-11 proton/sm3.
The study concluded that the astrophysical factors should be accounted in the analysis of air traffic accidents to ensure flight safety.
The study confirmed that the solar corpuscular radiation can pose risks to human mental health, i.e. central nervous system. The frequency distribution of the air traffic accidents by SW speed and density is uneven with the peaks between intervals ranging as follows: 350…400 km/s for SW speed and 0…3 proton/cm3 for SW density.
The study has shown that further research is needed (i) to develop the aircraft accident classification by solar wind impact on certain types, phases, and geographical latitude of the flights, (ii) to assess the effects of SW proton energy on the activity of free neutrons and secondary protons in the atmosphere, and (iii) to examine the SW impact on the humans´ individual and group behavior in outer space.
Those results have confirmed that “Ergonomics as a scientific and practical
discipline is aimed at ensuring high efficiency of human activity, its safety and comfort.
One of the ways to achieve such a triple task is to create an effective
psychophysiological support for the ability to work in the process of both work and learning.
Macroergonomic approach involves the systematic solution of issues of analysis of a
certain type of activity, designing its optimal conditions, selecting and adapting a
person to this activity, solving technical and organizational issues of providing
effective and safe education and labor” [
The air traffic dispatchers and air carriers can use the SW data to assess the risk of air traffic accidents. The main difference in laboratory study and in real settings (aviation) can be explained by the professional training/re-training level, as well as by team and inter-person work in real aviation activity in contrast with the laboratory participated subjects, who performed cognitive tests and concentrated on the prompt cognitive activity not having professional training, though both type of mental activity studied used ICT.
Further study of the modern astrophysical data (including various periods of solar cycle) and their application for the air traffic controlling (especially in the high latitudes) will lead to better understanding of the correlation between SW and air traffic accidents and later, developing an exact action plan based on the biophysical observations of equipment and pilot behavior.
Further modernization and improvement of the dispatch equipment in the aircrafts will enable for additional information for computer prognosis.
Apart from that, it can be considered to reduce the duration of occupational exposure to the SW and provide medical and psychological recovery measures for the affected occupational groups to compensate for any potentially negative impact.