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Faculty Mentor

Jennifer Nader

Abstract

This report addressed the effects rising global temperatures resulting from climate change have had on flight operations in their entirety. The research objective was to discover what methods could enhance climate adaptation in airport construction, as higher mean-surface temperatures have an increasingly negative effect on aircraft performance. The findings would primarily be of interest to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Primary Office presiding over the planning and development of airports. Overall, the report provided a comprehensive analysis of global warming’s effects on aviation, including the implications of degraded aircraft performance and sea-level rise for coastal airports. Additionally, it examined comparative solutions relating to the improved development of aircraft engine efficiency and takeoff weight (TOW) restrictions, as well as explored established airport construction practices. The study revealed that the most effective way to acclimatize to rising global temperature is to develop innovative airport architecture, while also modernizing present structures. Furthermore, solutions worth considering include the construction of airports at locations with higher latitudes and medium-elevations, and equipping airport terminal areas with advanced heating/cooling systems.

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