Obstacles risk classification model in aerodromes protection zones using the multi-criteria decision analysis ahp

Abstract

Aerodromes protection zones are defined by plans that establish the limits that objects can project into airspace without affecting the safety and regularity of air operations. These plans are composed of a set of imaginary three-dimensional surfaces that impose restrictions on the use of properties within the protection zones. Our research problem is how to classify the risk of obstacles in aerodromes protection zones. In this paper, we propose a methodology to obtain an obstacle risk classification model. We defined the risk factors and applied a questionnaire to an expert in civil aviation. The obstacle risk classification model resulted from the specialist analysis and by applying the analytic hierarchy process (AHP) for multi-criteria decision analysis. The advantage of the AHP in studies that use specialists’ empiric knowledge for risk modeling is the treatment of uncertainties, and the use of tangibles and intangibles criteria. The results showed that the most significant influence on the risk of an obstacle is how much that obstacle protrudes the limiting surfaces, followed by the distance between the obstacle and the nearest airport runway threshold, the limiting surface in which the obstacle is, and the nature of the obstacle.