Aviation Safety and Climate Change

Description of work:

The aim of this project is to quantify the effect of climate change on aviation safety. This will involve undertaking a long term study of aviation safety occurrences that have weather related contributions. A correlation between global warming (climate change in general) metrics/indicators and changes in aviation safety occurrences will be measured to understand if there is an association between climate change and increased risks in flight operations. How this potential correlation varies for different types of weather-related aviation safety occurrences will also be investigated. That is, if there are differences for icing, lightning, turbulence, windshear, and other weather risks in terms of changes over time, and the correlation to global warming indicators. A key aspect will be to understand if the risks during critical phases of flight (take-off and landing) have increased, and therefore future aerodromes (both airports and heliports) need to include forecasts of long term climate changes to help improve aviation safety. This study will be inclusive of commercial air transport and general aviation, with both fixed wing and rotor wing aircraft. An initial investigation of weather-related aviation safety occurrences will need to be undertaken, and data can be drawn from a number of sources, including the International Civil Aviation Organisation, the Australian Transport Safety Bureau, and others.

Contact:

G.Wild@adfa.edu.au

Supervisor