Need Research Topic

[alan]

For my technical writing class, I am required to write a research paper about a problem in my field of study which is Aviation, or more specifically, Aviation Maintenance. This problem could be technical, mechanical, physical philosophical, ethical, financial, or business-oriented.

If anyone would like to suggest a topic to write about, I would really appreciate it.

[wolfdragon]

OK here's one:

On a type certified aircraft, if a part breaks you have to replace it with whatever the manufacturer (or other authorized outlet) sells for it lest you lose the certification of the aircraft.

Case in point is this little gem... I'll call the subject "Prohibited Innovation in Aviation Maintenance"

On a certain high wing aerobatic aircraft, the floorboard is 5/16" plywood. Over the course of oh say 10 years, due to repeated loading and abuse from standing/stomping, it gave way. So when the ANP who owned the aircraft went to fix it, per the book he is not allowed to use an aluminum honeycomb sheet (part of his ANP training was the proper ways to sealing edges and putting structural penetrations in that material, thus the draw for that as a better replacement) and instead has to use an approved replacement plywood sheet that must be procured from an authorized vendor lest he lose the type certification of the aircraft.

The use of the honeycomb sheet would result in a stronger, lighter, and longer lasting repair, a giant sheet of the stuff costs way less than the aircraft plywood, and finally, the approved plywood sheet still needs holes drilled in it and needs to be cut to the proper size per the included one sheet documentation from the vendor.

There are many ways you can go off of it, but that's one of the stories that just irritates the living hell out of me...

[alan]

Hi Wolfdragon, sorry for this really late reply.

That topic you suggested was a good one, unfortunately my professor required us to use at least 5 scholarly journal articles in our paper, and I was unable to find that many articles so I resorted to fatigue in aviation. I do appreciate the help though .