Data-driven flight path monitoring technique using recurrent neural network for the safety management of commercial aircraft

Aviation spins, particularly at low altitudes, significantly contribute to fatalities due to limited recovery time. Standard recovery procedures typically only become eligible after a spin is fully developed, by which time multiple turns may have already resulted in substantial altitude loss. The pr...

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Main Authors: Naeun Kim, Mohamed H. Hamza, Bong-Hwan Koh
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: PeerJ Inc. 2025-03-01
Series:PeerJ Computer Science
Subjects:
Online Access:https://peerj.com/articles/cs-2753.pdf
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author Naeun Kim
Mohamed H. Hamza
Bong-Hwan Koh
author_facet Naeun Kim
Mohamed H. Hamza
Bong-Hwan Koh
author_sort Naeun Kim
collection DOAJ
description Aviation spins, particularly at low altitudes, significantly contribute to fatalities due to limited recovery time. Standard recovery procedures typically only become eligible after a spin is fully developed, by which time multiple turns may have already resulted in substantial altitude loss. The primary challenge in upset prevention is heavy reliance on the pilot’s situational awareness, which is only effective before the spin has been fully developed. To address this issue, this study proposes an early detection capability to significantly enhance immediate response actions, potentially mitigating altitude loss and enabling pilots to recognize the initial signs of upset conditions. This research introduces a real-time predictive tool based on a novel recurrent neural network (RNN) model that utilizes data from the NASA Generic Transport Model (GTM)-a research platform designed for experimental flight case studies-to predict nonlinear flight responses during the critical initial seconds of a spin. Rigorous validation against ground truth data demonstrates the RNN model’s superior predictive capabilities in detecting incipient spin phase, offering an essential tool for proactive spin management and reducing the risk of ground collisions. This early detection capability empowers pilots to identify the initial signs of upset conditions and make informed operational decisions, ultimately improving aviation safety. This advancement underscores the potential of advanced machine learning technologies to transform safety protocols by enabling earlier and more effective intervention strategies, thereby preempting catastrophic events.
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spelling doaj-art-edc8f1705b4842d291663af035690b132025-08-20T02:50:44ZengPeerJ Inc.PeerJ Computer Science2376-59922025-03-0111e275310.7717/peerj-cs.2753Data-driven flight path monitoring technique using recurrent neural network for the safety management of commercial aircraftNaeun Kim0Mohamed H. Hamza1Bong-Hwan Koh2Department of Mechanical Engineering, Dongguk University, Seoul, South KoreaSchool for Engineering of Matter, Transport, and Energy, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ, United StatesDepartment of Mechanical, Robotics and Energy Engineering, Dongguk University, Seoul, South KoreaAviation spins, particularly at low altitudes, significantly contribute to fatalities due to limited recovery time. Standard recovery procedures typically only become eligible after a spin is fully developed, by which time multiple turns may have already resulted in substantial altitude loss. The primary challenge in upset prevention is heavy reliance on the pilot’s situational awareness, which is only effective before the spin has been fully developed. To address this issue, this study proposes an early detection capability to significantly enhance immediate response actions, potentially mitigating altitude loss and enabling pilots to recognize the initial signs of upset conditions. This research introduces a real-time predictive tool based on a novel recurrent neural network (RNN) model that utilizes data from the NASA Generic Transport Model (GTM)-a research platform designed for experimental flight case studies-to predict nonlinear flight responses during the critical initial seconds of a spin. Rigorous validation against ground truth data demonstrates the RNN model’s superior predictive capabilities in detecting incipient spin phase, offering an essential tool for proactive spin management and reducing the risk of ground collisions. This early detection capability empowers pilots to identify the initial signs of upset conditions and make informed operational decisions, ultimately improving aviation safety. This advancement underscores the potential of advanced machine learning technologies to transform safety protocols by enabling earlier and more effective intervention strategies, thereby preempting catastrophic events.https://peerj.com/articles/cs-2753.pdfIncipient spin detectionFlight safetyMachine learning-based flight monitoringAir traffic management
spellingShingle Naeun Kim
Mohamed H. Hamza
Bong-Hwan Koh
Data-driven flight path monitoring technique using recurrent neural network for the safety management of commercial aircraft
PeerJ Computer Science
Incipient spin detection
Flight safety
Machine learning-based flight monitoring
Air traffic management
title Data-driven flight path monitoring technique using recurrent neural network for the safety management of commercial aircraft
title_full Data-driven flight path monitoring technique using recurrent neural network for the safety management of commercial aircraft
title_fullStr Data-driven flight path monitoring technique using recurrent neural network for the safety management of commercial aircraft
title_full_unstemmed Data-driven flight path monitoring technique using recurrent neural network for the safety management of commercial aircraft
title_short Data-driven flight path monitoring technique using recurrent neural network for the safety management of commercial aircraft
title_sort data driven flight path monitoring technique using recurrent neural network for the safety management of commercial aircraft
topic Incipient spin detection
Flight safety
Machine learning-based flight monitoring
Air traffic management
url https://peerj.com/articles/cs-2753.pdf
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AT bonghwankoh datadrivenflightpathmonitoringtechniqueusingrecurrentneuralnetworkforthesafetymanagementofcommercialaircraft