ESWW 14 ALARA IN AVIATION ALARA IN AVIATION

ESWW 14 ALARA IN AVIATION

ALARA IN AVIATION WHAT DOES ALARA MEAN? ▪ as low as reasonably achievable ▪ fundamental principle when threading together radiation protection and economy ▪ dose minimization ▪ while keeping in mind economic aspects. ▪ „Radiation protection in aviation is neither about shielding aircraft with tens of tons of lead, neither is it about flying in FL 100 (about 3 km high). “ © 2017 Vereinigung Cockpit e. V.

ALARA IN AVIATION THE BAD EXAMPLE IN RADIATION PROTECTION Occupationally exposed persons Collective Dose Rest Aircrew Source: Bf. S (Federal Office for Radiation Protection, Germany) © 2017 Vereinigung Cockpit e. V.

ALARA IN AVIATION SO… © 2017 Vereinigung Cockpit e. V. … WHAT IS REASONABLY ACHIEVABLE?

ALARA IN AVIATION WHAT IS REASONABLY ACHIEVABLE ▪ new dosimeters are being developed, ▪ existing ones optimized © 2017 Vereinigung Cockpit e. V.

ALARA IN AVIATION WHAT IS REASONABLY ACHIEVABLE ▪ Dosimeters that are already in use in other fields ▪ can be reconfigured ▪ or recalibrated. ▪ This makes serial production a lot cheaper ▪ and easier to have quick access to products and replacement parts. ▪ E. g. dosimeters German police uses to detect smuggling of radioactive material © 2017 Vereinigung Cockpit e. V.

ALARA IN AVIATION WHAT IS REASONABLY ACHIEVABLE ▪ Dosimeter networks ▪ equipped aircraft can measure, ▪ downlink to ground station ▪ uplink to not equipped aircraft. ▪ Ground stations receive a significant amount of data ▪ that can be used for flight planning and inflight rerouting purposes ▪ as well as for scientific research. © 2017 Vereinigung Cockpit e. V.

ALARA IN AVIATION WHAT IS REASONABLY ACHIEVABLE ▪ Dosimeter network ▪ SAFESKY ▪ US-based ▪ multi-party ▪ Europe considers an „action plan“ following that same path. That’s a good start but long overdue! © 2017 Vereinigung Cockpit e. V.

ALARA IN AVIATION WHAT IS REASONABLY ACHIEVABLE ▪ space weather SIGMET ▪ significant meteorological phenomena ▪ a format pilots are used to ▪ typical levels (moderate, severe, extreme) can be set according to DOT/FAA/AM-16/5 ▪ a good first step in the right direction © 2014 Vereinigung Cockpit e. V. 9 /

ALARA IN AVIATION WHAT IS REASONABLY ACHIEVABLE ▪ Off-the-shelf-forecasts that flight crew can use without decryption ▪ NOAA scale has deficits concerning energy levels ▪ DLR D-scale good but not in operation (yet? ) ▪ subscription to services at this time questionable ▪ VC started informing their members about solar activity via email in 2012 ▪ since 2016 more ALPAs join in © 2017 Vereinigung Cockpit e. V.

ALARA IN AVIATION WHAT IS REASONABLY ACHIEVABLE ▪ information on solar activity at dispatch ▪ education of flight crews ▪ education of dispatchers ▪ commander is responsible for health and wellbeing of crew and passengers ▪ needs solid information to base their decisions on © 2017 Vereinigung Cockpit e. V.

LET’S GET STARTED! THANK YOU VERY MUCH.