Other studies identified the sophistication of certain technologies as an additional problem area with automation. A number of pilots report some systems as \u201cgenerally non-intuitive for pilots.\u201d There was also an indication the onboard computers were inadequate for performing the tasks requested by\u00a0pilots of the hardware\/software. Another difficulty pilots face is the non-standard installation and operational requirements of different systems. In the 1960s, studies noted a similar problem with instrument panel standardization and in 1969, the industry adopted the standard T arrangement resulting in the\u00a0\u201csix pack\u201d\u00a0for instrument installation in new general aviation aircraft. Like instrument panels, we need to develop a \u201cstandard T\u201d for functions of various automated systems in different cockpits.<\/p>\n
In the course of any discussion of aircraft accidents, the focus quickly falls to the failure of cockpit automation or the possibilities of the crew\u2019s misunderstanding of how the systems functioned. This can result for any number of reasons; lack of education in the system, improper use of the system, or complacency on the part of the pilot(s).<\/p>\n
There is no place in any cockpit for any of the above. Companies must make sure their flight crews know all the systems installed in the airplane, they must know exactly how to operate each system, and they must always guard against complacency on all levels.<\/p>\n
One accident I occasionally discuss is the loss of John Kennedy, his wife, and her sister. While Kennedy was training for his instrument rating and owned a rather sophisticated single-engine aircraft, the accident report noted he did not know how to use the autopilot. Because of this, it is speculated that he failed to engage the autopilot, which, in the lowest degree of automation, would have allowed him to keep the wings level.<\/p>\n
Regarding the second aspect of the use of automation, the more a pilot knows how to use the technology, the higher measure he or she will have regarding personal confidence. After learning about the system, a pilot must be able to know how to use the automation confidently<\/em>. If a pilot lacks knowledge of the system, that\u2019s one thing, but pilots also need to know how to use the system. And again, with confidence.<\/p>\n The third aspect, complacency, is a bit more difficult. How do we keep complacency out of the cockpit? Pilots get tired, they don\u2019t eat well enough, they drink sodas and coffee instead of water, which leads to dehydration, and they become bored monitoring the same systems and instruments for long periods. It takes a lot of discipline to stay on top of this game.<\/p>\n In the early press releases and the speculation as to the cause of the accident of Asiana 214, many have focused on the automation issues. Some news organizations reported the flight crew was flying with the auto-throttles engaged and they believed the system would maintain airspeed. There is also speculation regarding the failure of this system.<\/p>\n It will be a long time before the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) releases the complete accident report. In most cases, reports concerning air carriers take more than a year and as long as 18 months to finish and made available to the public.<\/p>\n I don\u2019t know the cause of the accident of Asiana 214. Over time, causal factors will come out and recommendations made. I do know how complacency affects many of us. I know how automation affects me and the role automation plays in my complacency and the discipline I must exercise to stay sharp while flying.<\/p>\n Also, after studying hundreds, if not thousands of accident reports over my lifetime, I see another trend developing that we, in the industry, seriously need to address. And that is the failure on the part of humans in the area of basic airmanship and judgment.<\/p>\n -30-<\/p>\n \u00a92013 J. Clark<\/i><\/p>\n Subscribe by email<\/a><\/p>\n Note: Email subscribers, please go to <\/i>my blog <\/i><\/a>to view vids<\/i><\/p>\n There is a great deal of dialogue about the use of automation in aviation. Lately, some of the talk is focusing on the failure of automation and the role it played in the crash of Asiana 214, the Boeing 777 … Continue reading ![\"captain_ad\"](\"https:\/\/joeclarksblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/05\/captain_ad-1024x136.jpg\")
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