Investigation of the Effects of High-Energy Cosmic Ray Flux on Electronic Equipment in Aviation at Nigerian Air Corridors

High-energy cosmic radiation at aviation altitudes poses documented risks to aircraft avionics through single-event upsets, soft errors in memory devices, and cumulative total ionizing dose effects. Nigerian air corridors in the equatorial region experience a distinct cosmic ray environment influenced by the South Atlantic Anomaly of the geomagnetic field, yet specific characterization of cosmic ray flux and resulting avionics risks in Nigerian airspace remains limited. This study investigates the high-energy cosmic ray flux environment along major flight corridors departing from Lagos, Abuja, and Kano using Monte Carlo simulation with the EXPACS computational model, validated against available neutron monitor data and published airborne measurement campaigns at comparable geomagnetic latitudes. Total effective dose rates and neutron-induced single-event upset cross-sections are computed for representative flight profiles at 30,000 to 40,000 feet altitude. The analysis addresses the elevated flux environment during transits through the South Atlantic Anomaly, which produces anomalously high particle fluxes over parts of the South Atlantic and coastal South West Africa. Calculated neutron flux at cruising altitude near the anomaly region reaches three times the value at equivalent altitude over the UK. Single-event upset rate estimates for SRAM memory devices conform to published technology node vulnerability data. The study contextualizes findings against European Aviation Safety Agency certification requirements for radiation-tolerant avionics and provides specific flight corridor dose rate maps for Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority reference. Keywords: cosmic ray, aviation radiation, single-event upset, South Atlantic Anomaly, avionics