Turbulence isn’t just a bumpy inconvenience—it’s the leading cause of in-flight injuries and a major contributor to airline operating costs. In fact, turbulence-related incidents cost airlines millions each year, not to mention the stress it causes for passengers, crews, and even aircraft systems.
But what if pilots could see turbulence coming in real time? What if flight planners had more accurate data to avoid rough patches altogether? That’s where IATA’s Turbulence Aware comes in—a revolutionary platform helping airlines turn data into smoother, safer, and more efficient flights.
The aviation industry plays a crucial role in global connectivity, commerce, and economic development. However, it is also a significant contributor to greenhouse gas emissions. As of 2024, aviation accounts for approximately 2–3% of global CO₂ emissions, and with air travel demand expected to double by 2045, the urgency to find sustainable alternatives to fossil-based jet fuel is more critical than ever.
Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) has emerged as a leading solution to mitigate the environmental impact of air travel. SAF is a bio-based fuel that serves as a direct substitute for conventional jet fuel, offering substantial reductions in lifecycle carbon emissions without requiring modifications to existing aircraft or infrastructure.
Aviation safety continues to mature beyond traditional incident-based models. The growing complexity of operations, introduction of advanced automation, and integration of new airspace users demand a more dynamic and resilient safety approach. TEM, LOSA, and NOSS provide structured methods to identify risks during normal operations and promote a proactive, predictive, and learning-oriented safety system. This post provides a contemporary analysis and integration strategy for Threat and Error Management (TEM), Line Operations Safety Audit (LOSA), and Normal Operations Safety Survey (NOSS). These tools have evolved to become fundamental components in Safety Management Systems (SMS), particularly in transitioning from compliance-based approaches to performance-driven and data-enabled safety cultures.
2. The Modern Safety Management Context
Contemporary SMS frameworks prioritize adaptability, learning, and systems thinking. Safety is now understood as the ability to succeed under varying conditions rather than simply the absence of failure. Organizations must:
Ø Recognize variability as inherent to complex systems.
Ø Integrate resilience engineering principles.
Ø Emphasize learning from everyday performance, not just incidents.
Loss of Control In Flight (LOC-I) is a critical aviation safety concern and one of the leading causes of fatal aircraft accidents worldwide. It refers to an unintended departure of an aircraft from a controlled flight, often resulting in a crash if not recovered promptly.
Causes of LOC-I
LOC-I can result from a combination of factors, typically categorized into the following:
Aerodynamic Factors
- Stall and Spin: Exceeding the critical angle of attack can lead to an aerodynamic stall, and if uncorrected, a spin.
- Wake Turbulence: Encountering turbulence from another aircraft can disrupt airflow and control.
- Icing: Ice accumulation on wings or control surfaces degrades lift and control effectiveness.
Mechanical and System Failures
- Flight Control Malfunctions: Failures in control surfaces or fly-by-wire systems can lead to erratic behavior.
- Instrument Failures: Misleading data from instruments (e.g., attitude indicators) can cause spatial disorientation.
Environmental Conditions
- Weather: Thunderstorms, wind shear, and turbulence can overwhelm pilot control.
- Visibility: Poor visibility can lead to spatial disorientation, especially in non-instrument-rated pilots.
Human Factors
- Pilot Error: Misjudgment, overcorrection, or improper recovery techniques.
- Fatigue or Distraction: Reduced situational awareness and slower reaction times.
- Inadequate Training: Lack of experience in upset recovery or unusual attitude flying.
Remedies and Preventive Measures
Training and Simulation
- Upset Prevention and Recovery Training (UPRT): Mandatory for commercial pilots, this training helps recognize and recover from unusual attitudes.
- Scenario-Based Simulations: Realistic training environments to practice decision-making under stress.
Technological Enhancements
- Angle of Attack Indicators: Provide real-time feedback to prevent stalls.
- Autopilot and Stability Augmentation Systems: Help maintain control in challenging conditions.
- Envelope Protection Systems: Prevent pilots from exceeding aircraft limits.
Operational Procedures
- Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs): Clear guidelines for handling adverse conditions.
- Weather Avoidance Strategies: Use of radar and forecasting tools to avoid hazardous weather.
Regulatory and Safety Oversight
- Mandatory Reporting and Analysis: Encourages learning from incidents.
- Safety Management Systems (SMS): Proactive identification and mitigation of risks.
Conclusion
LOC-I is a complex and multifaceted threat to aviation safety. Addressing it requires a holistic approach involving advanced training, robust technology, strict adherence to procedures, and a strong safety culture. Continuous learning and adaptation are key to reducing LOC-I incidents and enhancing overall flight safety.
Comparison of Stalling and Critical Angles of Attack
Pie Chart of LOC-I Accident Causes
The pie chart below shows the distribution of various causes of LOC-I accidents.
Laser attacks on aircrafthave become a persistent and dangerous threat to aviation safety. These incidents typically involve individuals on the ground pointing high-powered laser beams at aircraft, often during takeoff or landing. While seemingly harmless to the untrained eye, these attacks can have serious consequences for pilots, passengers, and air traffic safety.
In the world of aviation, safety is everything. One of the most persistent challenges airports face is the risk of runway overruns—when an aircraft can't stop before the end of the runway during take-off or landing. These incidents rank among the top causes of aircraft-related accidents worldwide.
For years, airports have relied on Runway Safety Areas (RSAs) to reduce this risk. But what happens when there's no space to build one? That’s where EMAS steps in.
✈️What is EMAS?
EMAS, short for Engineered Material Arresting System, is a safety system placed at the end of a runway. It uses specially engineered, crushable materials—like lightweight concrete or recycled glass foam—that collapse under the weight of an aircraft. This controlled collapse slows the aircraft down safely and quickly, preventing disaster.
Think of it as the aviation world’s equivalent of a runaway truck ramp—but for planes.
🧱 How Does It Work?
When an aircraft enters the EMAS bed, the material starts to crush, absorbing the aircraft’s energy. The further it moves, the deeper and more resistant the bed becomes, slowing the aircraft until it comes to a stop.
These systems are:
Custom-designed for each airport.
Effective for overruns up to 70 knots—the speed where most incidents occur.
Strong enough to support rescue vehicles but soft enough to safely stop aircraft.
Controlled Deceleration: The EMAS material is designed to crush predictably under an aircraft’s weight, helping to decelerate it safely.
The EMAS surface is clearly marked with yellow chevrons to indicate it’s off-limits for normal operations.
Key Features
· Crash-Absorbing Material: The
bed is made of crushable cement designed to deform under stress, which absorbs the energy of an aircraft.
· Versatility: EMAS can be installed at airports of all sizes and is particularly suited to runways where space is limited.
· Low Maintenance: After an overrun, the damaged sections of the system can be replaced quickly, minimizing downtime.
· High Efficiency: Over 90% of overruns occur at speeds below 70 knots — right where EMAS is most effective.
🌍 Global Reach: Where EMAS Stands in 2025
EMAS isn't just a U.S. invention—it’s a global lifesaver. Here's where it stands today:
✅ United States: Installed at 121 runway ends across 71 airports. Backed by the FAA.
🌏 International Expansion: Deployed in countries like Germany, China, Spain, Japan, Saudi Arabia, and—most recently—New Zealand, with Queenstown International Airport becoming the first in Australasia to install EMAS in March 2025.
🛠 Providers: Runway Safe AB currently leads the field with two FAA-certified systems:
EMASMAX® (crushable concrete)
Green EMAS® (recycled glass foam modules)
🚨 Real-Life Saves
EMAS isn’t just a cool concept—it’s proven.
One of the most famous examples? In 2005, a Boeing 747 overran the runway at JFK Airport. Weighing more than 600,000 pounds, the jet was stopped safely by EMAS. The result: was no injuries, minimal damage (just 9 tires), and the aircraft was back in service within 7 days.
Since then, more than 15 real-world incidents have shown EMAS to be a reliable safety net—literally.
📜 Backed by Authorities
EMAS is fully endorsed by the FAA and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). It’s officially recognized under FAA Policy Order 5200.9, which treats it as equivalent to a 1,000-foot RSA. Technical specs and installation guidelines are outlined in Advisory Circular AC 150/5220-22B.
Post accidents at tabletop runways at Mangalore and Calicut, the Airports Authority of India ( AAI) and the DGCA reviewed installing EMAS at critically short Runways. However, this proposal was rejected by DGCA, citing operational constraints like the cost of installation ( around Rs 100 Crores) and maintenance and post-accident rehabilitation issues. Currently, no Indian airport is equipped with EMAS despite adequate RESA being unavailable at some airports.
💡 Why It Matters Now More Than Ever
With air traffic returning to pre-pandemic levels and airport expansion limited by urban growth, EMAS is more relevant than ever.
Here’s why airports love it:
🔒 Enhanced safety without major land acquisition
💸 Cost-effective compared to runway extensions
🔧 Easy repair after use
🛫 Fast recovery—planes typically back in service in under a week
📈 Looking Ahead: The EMAS Market
According to recent forecasts, the EMAS market is expected to hit $437 billion by 2034, growing steadily at 6.5% per year. As more airports seek smarter and safer solutions, EMAS is poised to play a larger role in the future of aviation.
✈️ Final Thoughts
The Engineered Material Arresting System might not grab headlines like the latest aircraft design or airport terminal, but it's quietly saving lives and protecting multi-million-dollar aircraft. As we continue to push the limits of aviation, it’s innovations like EMAS that ensure we’re doing so safely.
If your airport doesn’t have the space for a full RSA, it might be time to crush the problem—literally.
