The development of modern technology has been recognized as a valid safety concern. The development in the automation of modern ‘glass cockpits’ in commercial aircraft has caused effects that simply weren’t intended. The implementation of the advanced computerized flight controls has been a mixed blessing. On the one hand they provided advancements in safe handling of the aircraft through automation, but on the other it removed the pilots from the information loop during the operation of the aircraft. This unwanted consequence caused experienced pilots to make blunders because they became monitors rather than active participants in the operation of the aircraft. Human beings are simply not very good monitors over extended periods of time unless they can actively become a part of that automation. Since awareness to the important safety concerns of automation has been identified, engineers, aircraft manufacturers, airline pilot trainers, pilots and others have made concerted attempts to overcome this issue.
This presentation attempts to shed light on these and other important issues that affect the human interface with automation. Automation awareness and management are integral to the maintenance of flight safety such as what is ‘normal’ and what was the status of the pilot not flying during deviations from ‘normal’ flight. Awareness includes modes of automation, energy states, terrain and aircraft systems. Modes awareness of capabilities and a case study of two aircraft incidents are discussed.
A section on energy state awareness involving three aircraft case studies are examined during high speed and low speed incidents where they are discussed for important lessons. As with all aircraft, terrain awareness becomes especially important with aircraft automation because of the differences between the operation of non-automated equipped aircraft. Programming errors and operator error by misinterpretation of aircraft position.
Various problems occur during the use of automation that include:
An increase in the users’ memory.
May cause the user to be uncertain as to where and when they should focus their attention.
Make it difficult for users working with others to share the same situational awareness of what is occurring.
Impair mental models of the system.
Increase the workload of the user during high-demand periods.
Limit the users’ ability to develop effective strategies for coping with task demands.
Increase stress and anxiety.
Increase the potential for confusion because of the many levels and types of automation.
Other issues for consideration are the management of the automation systems and adherence to procedures to maintain a satisfactory level of safety for the operation of the aircraft. Programming issues that involve cross checking and ATC compliance should be especially troublesome and will be avoided through proper pilot vigilance during heavy workload periods. Finally, complacency and dependency to the automation should be avoided by keeping a secondary plan of action available in case of primary automation failure by the implementation of raw data flight information.
