Aerospace Research

   CONTENTS  

Foreword

Research Structures

Energy, Environment, and Biodiversity

Humanities and Ethics

Culture and Education

Society and Development

Information and Communication Technology

Biology and Health

Research Structures and Researchers

About

Home PUCRS TECNOPUC EDIPUCRS
Uk  Versão em Português  Uk  PDF Version  

Prevention of accidents as the main focus

The School of Aeronautical Sciences of PUCRS is a pioneer in Brazil with regard to its undergraduate courses and research activities, which otherwise are typically conducted at the Schools of Engineering or Administration. The Nucleus of Aerospace Research, chaired by Professor Éder Henriqson, was created in 2004 and includes five professors from this academic unit and 10 undergraduate students. The projects follow three lines of research: human factors and the prevention of accidents in complex technological systems; air transport management; and language, aviation, and the prevention of accidents in complex technological systems.

The main partnership established by the Nucleus involves UFRGS and the University of Lund (Sweden), which collaborates in events and lectures. Currently, the Nucleus is initiating a research collaboration agreement with Griffith University (Australia) and the joint performance of short courses in Brazil and Canada with the British Columbia Institute of Technology (Canada).

One of the main ongoing projects seeks to understand the reason behind some human errors in aviation, why some errors make sense to pilots, and how the system design causes susceptibility to some errors. This project is conducted in partnership with the University of Lund and Griffith University.

Beginning in May 2012, the Nucleus became a member of a national group that studies the taxonomy of occurrence in aviation. Although the airlines must share information on flaws and uncommon occurrences, currently each country has a classification of its own, which may result in the absence of important information. The project participants are creating a standardized taxonomy. Seven sub-projects are related to goals such as the analysis of the criteria used to build taxonomies and the study of the compatibility between the Brazilian and international taxonomies. This research will result in the creation of a richer database that will allow the improved analysis and management of risks.