Researchers create model to monitor GA airport operations

A statistical model of daily operations of GA airports may help show unusual activity that could suggest a security threat, researchers at the University of Arkansas say. The models uses factors such as annual number of landings and takeoffs, total number of planes based at an airport, whether an airport has a traffic-control tower, and other data, according to a UPI report. The report quotes Justin Chimka, a professor of industrial engineering: “Based on historical data, there are basic assumptions or expectations about what should be going on at these airports. Now we have to ask ourselves if reality — what’s really going on — meets these statistical expectations. If not, then we probably should look at it.”