Automation in aviation Automation is the use of control systems and information technologies reducing the need for human intervention. In aviation, we can see an increasing level of automation in, for example, the flight and air traffic control operations. The dictionary clearly defines automation as the use of computers to control a particular process in order to increase reliability and efficiency, often through the replacement of employees. Both definitions basically focus on two aspects - the introduction of computers and the implications on humans in the performance of a task. With the advent of modern technology, the use of computers becomes inevitable in the completion and performance of a particular task. While automation proves to improve the completion of a job, it drastically affects the operator whose task shifts from being the performer to being the onlooker. This is where the issue of complacency sets in. With this major revolution, one may ask if the introduction of automation is indeed an advantage or disadvantage. Since the evolution of this major global trend, automation has widely enveloped the aviation field. Industry-wide, it has become a by-name and is considered an indispensable or integral addition to this highly complex, dynamic, and competitive business with the objective of improving and controlling flight management efficiency. Nowadays, we can see a widespread use and increasing level of automation in aviation particularly in flight and air traffic control operations. However, it has also given rise to issues and concerns pertaining to human intervention, accidents and incidents; and issues on human factors, specifically complacency. Automation in flight operations: -HF and automation -Pilot / computer interface -Autopilot -Autothrottle -Flight management system Automation in ATC operations: -ADS-B -SWIM -NextGen -NNEW Advantages 1) Greater Situational Awareness With reduced direct operational involvement, flight crew members are able to allocate their concentration towards maintaining awareness with their environment as well as interpersonal communication with their colleagues. Automation are thus able to relieve pilots of their workloads by assuring the availability of essential flight information at all times. Flight safety is enhanced when pilots are able to react more quickly and effectively to situations due to greater attention to their surroundings. 2) Operating Cost Reduction With computer management, the heading, altitude and airspeed whereby the aircraft can travel at the most ideal efficiency, can be retrieved. With efficient flight performance, fuel usage can be reduced to achieve a lower operating cost. This is especially critical for commercial airlines, which aim to cut cost for greater profits. As flight information is managed by the flight management computers automatically, the requirement of having a third flight crew (flight engineer) to oversee the performance of secondary airplane systems and fuel consumption is lifted. A reduced number of flight crew members required helps to cut costs for airlines. Disadvantages 1) Overdependence on Automation (Complacency) With increased reliance on automated technologies, flight crew may rely excessively on the glass cockpits. This could lead to the negligence of the necessity of their participation during crucial periods of a flight, such as the landing and takeoff phases. For instance, in 1974, Eastern Air Lines Flight 212 crashed short of the runway while executing a precise instrumental approach in poor visibility conditions into Charlotte/Douglas International Airport. Out of the 82 people aboard the flight, only ten survived. The accident investigation concluded that the mishap occurred due to the pilot distraction. After the observation of several accidents that were due to pilot distraction when flight crew engages in unnecessary activities during crucial flight phases, the Sterile Cockpit Rule was instilled by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) in 1981. This regulation prohibits flight crew from engaging in unnecessary activities during important flight phases, usually below the flight altitude of 10,000 feet. The introduction of the Crew Resource Management (CRM) training in 1979 also strives to enhance pilot decision-making skills by highlighting the importance of situational awareness, leadership capabilities and interpersonal communication skills even during the presence of automation and convenience. Both the CRM training and Sterile Cockpit Rule aim to emphasize the role of the automation only as an additional supporting assistance tool. Even with the introduction of the automation, flight crew are still educated to direct as much attention to piloting the flight as before the debut of the technology. With this, the Times quotes engineering Professor William B. Rouse of Georgia Institute of Technology and IEEE Fellow as saying, Complacency is an issue, but designing the interaction between human and technical so the human has the right level of judgment when you need them is a design task in itself… When the person has no role in the task, there’s a much greater risk of complacency. Also, a captain at Continental Airlines, once said, No light comes on to tell you that youre being complacent. 2) Adverse Impact on Airmanship Spencer and Ebbage defined airmanship as the following: “A personal state that enables aircrew to exercise sound judgement, display uncompromising flight discipline and demonstrate skilful control of an aircraft and a situation. It is maintained by continuous self-improvement and a desire to perform optimally at all times.” Flight crew aircraft piloting skill development may be adversely affected by their excessive dependence on the electronic instruments. For instance, pilots can rely totally on the autopilot function to maintain a particular altitude and airspeed of the aircraft. The importance of airmanship is highlighted when airlines doubt pilot training effectiveness through the new Multi-Pilot Crew License (MPL) medium. The MPL allows pilots to bypass the acquisition of Private Pilot License (PPL) as well as Commercial Pilot License (CPL) to achieve a frozen Air Transport Pilot License (ATPL). With greater focus on flight simulator training, airline pilots trained through the MPL method will not spend as many hours as pilots trained via the traditional method. As the automation features become more common on many aircraft types, flight crew will inevitably increase their reliance on these functions. This causes pilots to reduce their application of airmanship. The ability to fly an aircraft manually despite regular exposure to automation and convenient information access is important, especially during emergencies. In 2008, United Airlines Flight 731 lost half of its display panels, radios, transponders and TCAS. Fortunately, the pilots were able to maintain manual flight control to land back at their departure aerodrome. The necessity to maintain airmanship is thus highlighted even during this age of automation. While 90% of the flight crew members surveyed in a National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) questionnaire indicated that they do practise manual flying to uphold their skills, it ultimately depends on how much the industry emphasizes the importance of airmanship over the safety and efficiency of flight operations. Conclusion Automation has indeed proven itself to be revolutionary technological advancement which reliably enhances flight operational safety and efficiency. Pilots can allocate resources and concentration efficiently to piloting the plane safety with convenient access to the required flight information. With reduced number of flight crew and fuel consumption, operation expenditure is lower. Despite economic and operational advantages, over-reliance on automation may deteriorate pilots’ airmanship. Excessive dependence on automation may result in flight crew’s complacency to assure their participation during the flight, especially during critical phases. The introduction of training and implementation of rule assures that pilots dedicate their attention to situational awareness, even as the aircraft is controlled by the computers. Only with the emphasis of cognitive skills to eliminate human errors, such technological advances can then enhance flight safety. The benefits of automation may be highly regarded but this should not prevent the operator to exercise his human touch or intervention in the fulfillment of a task. Its drawbacks have high and costly returns that need to be taken into consideration. Whether or not automation is boon or bane is no longer a question, with it being embraced by the industry, it is undoubtedly that this system will be eliminated. So, in order to fully maximize and utilize its benefits, the drawbacks must be addressed and the development of operator through proper training should be a prime concern. Automation is here to stay and there is no stopping it. It has proven to be a major technological advancement in the industry, and with proper handling and use, plus the full knowledge and commitment to job completion of individuals using and maintaining it, the human + computer tandem will equate to reliability, safety and efficiency beyond par.
Posted on: Sat, 20 Sep 2014 23:04:02 +0000
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