For my recent event, I chose the December 2022 polar vortex. I picked this event because the polar vortex is one of those events many people have heard of but do not fully understand its power or the domino effect it causes. The event I chose to analyze affected air travel across the U.S. and was just an incredible event of changing aviation operations so quickly. It was also a period of multiple interacting hazards, as snow, ice, and winds affected operations differently across locations. In Seattle, there were low-visibility issues. In the Midwest, airports were struggling to remove snow as it was piling up so quickly. As a professional in the aviation industry, this event just reiterated to me that hazards frequently occur together, making aviation operations much more complicated than they already are. The fundamental cause of this event was a disruption of the polar vortex. The polar vortex is a circulation pattern that usually...
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Cybersecurity in Aviation
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Most of us believe that technology is meant to help people live more efficiently, conveniently, and safely. However, we also realize that when used with malicious intent, technology can be powerful and dangerous. I mean, we all love technology. But it’s not all unicorns and intelligent assistants. Some skeptics argue that AI can be harmful and choose not to use it. And honestly, I understand their perspective. Artificial intelligence, like all forms of technology, has great potential for misuse. But during my research, I was pretty surprised by how many threats I had not yet heard of—particularly involving airplanes (yes, plural). One specific threat to aviation that I was unaware of until my own investigation was cyberattacks. Cyber threats to aviation are rising, targeting airport systems, flight software, ATC, and more. As AI advances, attackers become more sophisticated, using ransomware, deepfakes, and phishing to disrupt servi...
Boeing Ethical Controversies
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In recent years, Boeing has faced ethical controversies, with significant safety concerns surrounding its 737 MAX model. After two fatal crashes in 2018 and 2019, investigations revealed that Boeing had withheld critical safety information regarding the Maneuvering Characteristics Augmentation System (MCAS). In 2024, a mid-air emergency resurfaced safety concerns with new details of ignored internal warnings and an overreliance on FAA certification processes. In 2025, Boeing settled with the Department of Justice, with its CEO, Kelly Ortberg, acknowledging the missteps and committing to reforms. I picked this incident because it emphasizes the gravity of ethical and safety control in the aviation industry. The Boeing case goes above corporate decision-making failures and represents a breach of trust among manufacturers, regulators, and the flying public. It is a reminder that ethics in aviation is not just important; it is fundamental. I believe that ethics in ...