Hazard identification remains a foundational activity in aircraft design because it shapes early safety objectives, architectural decisions, and certification strategies throughout the development lifecycle. However, the growing complexity of modern aircraft systems has challenged the sufficiency of traditional failure-centered approaches when used in isolation. This systematic literature review synthesizes the current state of knowledge on hazard identification and analysis for aircraft design, with particular emphasis on AFHA, PASA, FHA, and STPA, while also examining how these methodologies are being integrated with Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE). Following a PRISMA-based review protocol, the study screened records retrieved from Web of Science, Scopus, and IEEE Xplore, yielding a final corpus of 106 peer-reviewed studies for qualitative and thematic analysis. The results show that traditional ARP4761-based methods remain the dominant foundation of certification-oriented hazard identification, but that STPA has gained relevance as a complementary approach for capturing interaction hazards, software-related risks, and human-automation issues that are not naturally expressed as single-component failure conditions. The review also shows a growing movement toward hybrid methodological frameworks and MBSE-enabled safety workflows, particularly to improve traceability, front-load safety analyses, and maintain consistency between design models and safety artefacts. At the same time, the evidence reveals persistent gaps in certification alignment, empirical validation, scalability, interoperability, and the translation of systems-theoretic outputs into certification-native artefacts. Overall, the literature indicates that the future of aircraft hazard identification lies not in replacing established approaches, but in integrating traditional, systems-theoretic, and model-based methods into more coherent, traceable, and scalable safety-assessment processes.
The implementation of the ground deceleration function in civil aircraft represents a critically complex process that deeply relies on the seamless collaboration of multiple onboard systems, including but not limited to braking, thrust reversal, spoiler, and steering systems. The operational logic governing these systems is highly intricate, characterized by tightly coupled interactions, stringent safety requirements, and a vast array of diverse physical and logical interfaces. This inherent complexity makes it exceptionally difficult to gain a thorough, system-level understanding of the implementation mechanisms and collaborative principles solely through traditional means of examining extensive, yet often fragmented, design documentation. The limitations of document-based analysis frequently lead to unforeseen integration conflicts, which are typically discovered late in the development cycle, resulting in substantial rework costs and project delays. To address this pervasive industry challenge, this paper selects the aircraft ground deceleration function as a representative case study and proposes an innovative, simulation-based validation methodology. This approach systematically utilizes model state machines to create a dynamic digital representation of the system-of-systems, enabling rigorous validation of aircraft deceleration requirements under various operational scenarios. By adopting this model-based systems engineering (MBSE) paradigm for mechanism representation, our approach effectively captures the nuanced coordination, timing dependencies, and dynamic interactions within the multi-system operational logic. It thereby facilitates the intuitive identification, analysis, and resolution of potential design flaws, including logical conflicts, deadlocks, race conditions, and uncovered or ambiguous requirements. Consequently, the method not only provides a robust framework for validating the aircraft’s function-related design requirements with greater confidence but also offers crucial, data-driven support for the iterative optimization and evolution of the overall functional architecture. The fundamental value proposition of this research lies in its transformative capability to convert implicit design knowledge and assumptions—originally scattered across voluminous documents, specifications, and expert minds—into an integrated set of executable, observable, and analyzable formal models. This digital thread enables systems engineers and designers to identify deep-seated integration and coordination issues proactively during the early conceptual and detailed design stages, rather than relying on discovery during the late, costly integration and testing phases. By shifting validation left in the development V-cycle, this approach significantly reduces the risk of major design changes and associated cost overruns later in the project lifecycle. Ultimately, it effectively enhances the overall maturity, safety, certifiability, and operational reliability of complex aircraft function development, paving the way for more efficient and predictable engineering processes.
Mingqian Wang, Q. Yu, Miao Yu et al.· SAE technical paper series· 0 citations
Abstract. A systematic review of the most promising technologies and aircraft concepts for reaching climate-neutral aviation is presented, based on a technology scouting for classification and benchmarking of their environmental performance. In a first step, a heuristic approach is used to analyse existing technology roadmaps on reducing environmental impact. The main levers commonly identified are technology advancements, operational measures, sustainable aviation fuel and demand management. The aircraft technologies from the aviation roadmaps are classified in a technology taxonomy in the categories aerodynamics, structural, systems and propulsion technologies and the entry-into-service is visualised in technology roadmaps. In a second step, an overview and categorisation of recent developments in advanced and disruptive (regional, short/medium and long-range) aircraft concepts is compiled. Environmental performance improvements can reach up to 40-50% (kerosene fuel burn and CO2) and 70% (NOX) compared to older reference aircraft, with reductions dependent on reference aircraft age. Hydrogen combustion offers zero CO2 while hydrogen fuel cells offer zero CO2 and NOX emissions. Different architectures are used for various ranges: Blended wing body and tube and wing (long-range), tube and wing (regional), and box-wing, double-bubble, strut-braced wing and tube and wing (short/medium range). While it is not possible to attribute a single reduction potential to a single technology feature, the most promising fuels are kerosene (conventionally, or in combination with batteries or fuel cells), sustainable aviation fuel and hydrogen. From the propulsion concepts, innovative turbofans (e.g. ultra-high bypass ratio turbofans) and innovative engines (e.g. hybrid-electric fans) had large improvements. In the field of aerodynamics, most applied technologies are high aspect ratio wings, riblets and laminar flow control, furthermore most concepts applied composite materials. For some aircraft concepts the climate impact was measured using climate metrics like ATR100 or GWP100, revealing trade-offs between fuel burn and climate impact or NOX emissions.
Lukas Söffing· Materials Research Proceedin...· 0 citations
This paper presents a comprehensive literature review and landscape analysis of virtual testing for autonomous ship navigation and collision detection/collision avoidance (CDCA), with the objective of consolidating fragmented research and industrial practice into a structured overview that can inform future standards and certification frameworks for Maritime Autonomous Surface Ships (MASS). The review encompasses academic studies, regulatory and class-society publications, national and regional testbed activities, industrial developments and prototype testing initiatives, as well as early operational insights obtained from MASS simulators and sea trials. Methodologically, the study employs structured searches across scientific databases, regulatory documents, industrial white papers, trial reports, and vendor materials to map the current state of the art in testing of autonomous CDCA systems. The analysis covers the types of scenarios (baseline, region-specific, edge and near-miss), test procedures, performance metrics, pass/fail criteria, coverage requirements, existing IMO manoeuvre tests applicability and the practical approaches and validation strategies adopted by developers. The review highlights strong growth in scenario-based testing, digital twins, high-fidelity simulators, and human-in-the-loop arrangements, with increasing focus on safety and reliability indicators tailored to autonomous functions. At the same time, the review identifies critical gaps, including the limited standardization of safety metrics and acceptance criteria, inconsistent handling of critical/near miss or other edge scenarios derived from real traffic data, and challenges in the translation of virtual testing evidence into regulatory or class approval pathways. Drawing from these observations, the paper outlines a high-level concept of an autonomous CDCA virtual testing framework. The paper highlights overarching elements of the framework including consistent scenario development, clear evaluation metrics, harmonized safety and reliability indicators, and mechanisms for linking virtual testing outcomes to broader assurance pathways such as actual MASS trials, regulatory and class approvals, and crew training. The findings establish an important knowledge foundation and identify key areas from a maritime assurance perspective, motivating future efforts towards practical, standardized approaches to virtual testing of autonomous maritime systems.
Geng Qin, Dong-Han Woo, Dohyun Chun et al.· Journal of Physics, Conferen...· 0 citations
This study assessed the implementation of safety standards in the Aircraft Maintenance Laboratory of Indiana Aerospace University during the Academic Year 2024–2025. Specifically, it examined laboratory conditions, risk management practices, and maintenance safety procedures, identified the common problems encountered by third-year Bachelor of Science in Aircraft Maintenance Technology (AMT) students during laboratory activities, and proposed an action plan to enhance laboratory safety. A mixed-method research approach employing a convergent design was utilized, integrating quantitative survey data with qualitative interview responses to obtain a comprehensive understanding of laboratory safety practices. The study involved 100 purposively selected third-year AMT students who had extensive exposure to laboratory activities. Quantitative data were analyzed using frequency, percentage, and weighted mean, while qualitative responses were examined through thematic analysis. Findings revealed that respondents generally agreed that safety standards were implemented in terms of aircraft maintenance laboratories (WM = 3.93), risk management (WM = 4.02), and maintenance safety (WM = 4.10), indicating satisfactory compliance with established safety practices. However, several challenges remained evident, including insufficient laboratory exposure, outdated references and instructional manuals, inadequate safety drills and demonstrations, limited assessment of hazard identification competencies, and inconsistent demonstration of safety procedures by instructors. These issues may hinder students' preparedness for real-world aircraft maintenance operations despite the overall positive assessment of laboratory safety. The study concludes that strengthening laboratory exposure, updating instructional resources, institutionalizing regular safety training and emergency drills, integrating safety competency assessments, and enhancing faculty development programs are essential to cultivating a stronger safety culture and improving the competence, confidence, and industry readiness of future aircraft maintenance professionals.
Allen Gilbert Betoy, Joshvel Aleonar, Mark John Amodia et al.· Journal of Advanced Studies...· 0 citations
Specific aircraft services, such as transport, exist in a wide range of safety targets. This paper analyses a safety assessment method applicable to both manned and unmanned aircraft, offering the following contributions. First, different aircraft types, services, and current specifications have been reviewed and consolidated into exhaustive lists. This is followed by determining the most stringent service alongside the existing gaps, particularly the lack of a universal safety assessment method. To address these identified gaps, this paper assesses safety and the impact of its allocated performance, validated by the most stringent service. The primary significance of this paper lies in its contribution to academic literature, presenting innovative methods for deriving safety targets and apportioning risk, which are crucial for determining the required navigation performance parameters of accuracy, integrity, continuity and availability. This research provides foundational support for studies into integrity and continuity risk issues. The second significance lies in the advancement of practice, as service providers and policymakers can utilise the findings to establish relevant specifications including safety targets. To support industry and standardisation sectors in aircraft transport, an alert limit has been established at 3 m, accompanied by a safety target of 1.0 × 10
-5
per hour. Although these values provide a general benchmark, their applicability typically depends on both the type of service and the specific phase of operation.
Mingyang Huang, Ming-Kan Zhang, Lintong Li et al.· Proceedings of the Instituti...· 0 citations
Aircraft landing gear systems are essential to safe and efficient flight operations, as they operate under demanding conditions during takeoff, landing, and ground maneuvers. Because they are exposed to high loads and repeated stress, their reliability has a direct impact on safety, maintenance planning, and overall operational performance. This study explores the use of three decision-support approaches, namely the Analytic Network Process (ANP), the Decision-Making Trial and Evaluation Laboratory (DEMATEL), and an adapted Fuzzy Cognitive Map (FCM), to examine a critical landing gear subsystem. The analysis identifies the most influential engineering management factors affecting subsystem reliability and compares how the three methods capture factor importance and interdependencies. The results show that maintenance planning efficiency, failure mode criticality, cost of downtime, and workforce coordination consistently emerge as key reliability-related dimensions. The adapted FCM provides a broader uncertainty-aware representation of indirect causal propagation, while ANP supports prioritization through network-based weighting and DEMATEL highlights cause–effect structures among the factors. Overall, the findings demonstrate that combining these complementary methods can strengthen reliability-oriented decision-making by clarifying which factors should receive priority in maintenance, operational planning, and management strategies.
Hrutwik D. Tambe, Swarna Nadipudi, B. Brentan et al.· Processes· 0 citations
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