SYSTEM DYNAMICS MODELING AND HUMAN FACTORS ANALYSIS OPTIMIZATION OF GOVERNMENT AIRCRAFT OPERATIONS

Abstract

Aircraft operations, whether commercial, governmental, or private, require a careful balance among maintenance, training, safety, and resource allocation. These domains are highly interdependent; inadequate allocation in one area degrades performance in others, while improvements in one domain can enhance overall system effectiveness. System dynamics modeling provides a framework for simulating internal organizational processes and evaluating outcomes across both predictable and uncertain scenarios. A tailored system dynamics model enables decision-makers to assess the impact of key variables, such as customer cost, employee compensation, and staffing levels, on overall system performance in near-real-time. Government aircraft operations operate under strict budgetary constraints, funding allocation rules, and varying expiration timelines for appropriated funds. Optimizing these constraints can redirect resources toward safety-enhancing initiatives, thereby reducing risk, lowering costs, and improving operational efficiency. The Human Factors Analysis and Classification System (HFACS) can be used to further support this effort by identifying areas where targeted resource investments yield the greatest safety benefits. This research identifies a critical capability gap in process optimization within government aircraft operations. To address this gap, an integrated system dynamics model is developed to guide decision-makers in increasing value, forecasting outcomes in non-standard scenarios, and enhancing the application of HFACS to strengthen organizational safety programs. Impact nano-codes is determined to be an important factor in targeting areas to concentrate. Several significant contributions emerged from this research. First, a mathematical framework was established to quantify organizational value at an unprecedented level of detail for government aviation operations. The framework is sufficiently adaptable for application to analogous systems, including commercial corporations, small businesses, households, and individual financial or operational models. Second, a comprehensive system dynamics model of a government aviation organization was developed, representing a capability not previously identified in existing literature. Furthermore, the research demonstrated that optimization of government aviation operations can directly enhance safety initiatives through more effective allocation of mitigation resources. A novel advancement of this work was the integration of quantitative impact values into human factor nano-codes within the NASA Human Factors Analysis and Classification System (NASAHFACS) process. This enhancement provides a quantitative methodology for prioritizing resource allocation, mishap mitigation, and operational risk-reduction strategies. The methodologies proposed in this dissertation are intended to be adaptable and scalable for implementation across a broad range of flight operations organizations. Future organizations may tailor and refine these methodologies to support the development of management policies focused on operational optimization, resource efficiency, and safety enhancement. Collectively, these processes provide a foundation for improving organizational effectiveness, operational resilience, and long-term mission success.