MSAT Comprehensive Written Examination

MSAT Comprehensive Written Examination

This document provides the source questions for candidates who are taking the MSAT Comprehensive Written Examination.

The Comprehensive Written Examination will assess your understanding of the Aviation & Transportation Graduate Program Curriculum. The exam itself consists of three main questions that may be divided into subsections. Each of the questions covers a specific Aviation & Transportation Graduate Student Learning Outcome (GSLO).Each question may have specific settings, situations, or technical problems.

The first question will focus on research methods and ask the candidate to synthesize theoretical and research concepts from multiple perspectives to inform inquiry and practice in an applied aviation and transportation study.

The second question will ask the candidate to formulate a creative response to a complex issue inaviation and transportation Safety Management Systems through critical analysis.

The third question will present a setting in aviation and transportation that will ask the candidate to model ethical and professional behaviors to guide inquiry and practice in a global industry and diverse society.

The “pass” mark is set by the Aviation Faculty Assessment Committee using a modified rubric to identify the expected score on each individual question. Question responses are considered individually, and any question not meeting the “pass” mark will have to be submitted again.

The candidate will create a Word document with your answers to each question. Cite all sources using APA style.  Provide a thorough and well-thought out answer to each question.

Q2.  You are a safety analyst for Flyer Airlines, through the airline’s safety assurance process, you gathered the following data (see Table 1) involving Flyer Airlines’ aircraft landings in relation to runway touchdown zones (TDZ).  Data was collected on distances from actual aircraft touchdown in relation to the start of the touchdown zone.  Flyer Airlines Flight Management policy is to never land short of the start of the TDZ and to never land beyond 1000 feet of the start of the TDZ, with most flights targeting to land within 500 feet of the start of the TDZ.  In your data analysis consider the flights that landed short of the start of TDZ, beyond 500 feet, and beyond 1000 feet.

• Create a histogram to graphically depict frequency distributions.
• Complete a system analysis, identify hazard and consequences, and initial risk assessment (use a risk assessment matrix).
• Determine level of risk (Limited, Moderate, or Elevated).
• Decide if you will accept risk or mitigate the hazards and consequences.
• Develop a mitigation plan (consider designing the hazard or problem out of system; physical guards or barriers; warnings, cautions or alerts; procedural changes and training; and advisories to people).
• Describe your monitoring system to determine if goals are met.
• Use SPSS or download the free “PSPP” (https://www.gnu.org/software/pspp/).

In answering this problem remember to formulate creative responses to this complex issue in aviation and transportation operational and safety management through a critical analysis and to a) Validate conclusions by logical appraisal of appropriate evidence; and, b) Design original solutions based on best evidence.

Table 1. Runway Touchdown Zone Data