Normal and extreme aircraft accelerations and the effects on exposure to expiratory airborne contaminant inside commercial aircraft cabins

Abstract

A novel dataset based on satellite observations of aircraft positions was utilized to estimate normal accelerations of commercial aircraft during climb and descent legs. Further, these accelerations are used to simulate the effects on exposure to expiratory airborne contaminant inside commercial aircraft cabins. Compared to previous studies, which reported exposures more than twice due to high aircraft accelerations during the climb leg, the new findings suggest lower aircraft accelerations that result in exposures on par with steady level flights during climb and descent legs. The new findings place previous studies in context to be interpreted as extreme conditions only while they call for more detailed experimental investigations.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the Discovery Grant program (401231) from the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council (NSERC) of Canada.

Notes on contributors

Hossam A. Elmaghraby

Hossam A. Elmaghraby, PhD., is a Postdoctoral Fellow. Yi Wai Chiang, Ph.D., P.Eng., is an Assistant Professor. Amir A. Aliabadi, Ph.D., P.Eng., is an Assistant Professor.