Source: Eric Shappee, 785-826-2603, wjfpmd@k-state.edu
Prepared by: Beth Bohn, 785-532-6415, bbohn@k-state.edu
Monday, October 8, 2007
AVIATION SAFETY MINOR IS NO ACCIDENT AT K-STATE AT SALINA, WHERE LEARNING SAFETY PRACTICES AND PROCEDURES ARE BEING TAUGHT AS JOB SKILLS
SALINA -- Accidents happen -- and Kansas State University at Salina students are learning why through a new minor offered at the school.
K-State at Salina's aviation safety minor was started as a way to expand the aviation program. It was developed based on a survey the school conducted to see what industry was looking for in a safety program, according to Eric Shappee, associate professor of aviation.
"In aviation, there is a growing 'safety culture,' one of the buzzwords of the industry now," Shappee said. "In aviation and in all industries, safety can be a way of controlling costs, and a good safety program can be the way to do that."
The aviation safety minor provides students with a knowledge of the practices and procedures used in establishing and maintaining an effective safety program and promoting a safety culture, Shappee said. It also teaches them the methods used to gather and analyze facts of accidents and determine probable accident causes.
"We also think the program is one more tool students can use to get a job," he said.
Classes in the minor, which began in fall 2006, are offered year-round. Students must take 15 hours worth of classes to earn the minor. Required courses are Human Factors in Aviation and Aviation Safety Management. Elective courses include Safety and Security of Airport Ground Operations, Crew Resources Management, Systems Safety and Aviation Accident Investigation, which is one of the most popular courses on campus, Shappee said.
"The class is always filled and usually has a waiting list," he said. "It is open to anyone, just like the minor; the minor can be applied to several majors."
Aviation Accident Investigation is kind of like the "CSI" TV series, according to Shappee. Students learn about what to look for when determining the cause of a plane crash, such as the impact angle and the speed of the aircraft prior to the crash. They also learn how to take photos at an accident scene and how to study them, how to take proper measurements at an accident, and even how to take statements from witnesses and pilots.
"We talk about the techniques needed to photograph an accident, such as taking proper measurements and size references," Shappee said. "Because we don't have the real thing -- we've been trying to come up with a 'pretend' crashed airplane -- students actually must take pictures like the plane has been in an accident."
One way Shappee has students learn more about what can bring a plane down is to research common factors in actual plane crashes during a five-year period using the National Transportation Safety Board's database. The class is divided into groups to study crashes in three categories: takeoffs and landings; controlled flights into terrain; and visual vs. instrument meteorological conditions.
Each group must write a report in the standard aviation accident format and give a presentation to the class, similar to what they would provide the National Transportation Safety Board as accident investigators.
Shappee said the minor has already had several graduates, as most of the courses were offered prior to being packaged as a minor. At least one recent K-State at Salina graduate has used the minor to get a safety-related job with an aviation company, he said.