David Learmount/LONDON
MODERN AIRLINER cockpits are full of traps for pilots, according to a US Federal Aviation Administration-led international review of aircrew performance since the introduction of electronic flight-instrumentation systems.
The report says that pilots "...too frequently had limited understanding of automation's capabilities, limitations, functions, operating principles and behaviour". Pilot opinions on computerised flight-management systems were found to differ extensively on appropriate automation modes for given phases of flight, and on whether automation should be used or switched off in "unusual situations".
The report, called The interfaces between flightcrews and modern flight deck systems, also severely criticises ineffective pilot-training in the use of modern cockpit equipment, and the absence of regulatory guidance for cockpit-design standards. These are essential because of the human-factors problems introduced by the increasing complexity of today's cockpits, says the report.
According to the review, the human-factors problems detected can be caused or exacerbated by:
cockpit design, training, procedures and regulations which are not sympathetic to human performance considerations;
poor communication and crew co-ordination;
lack of criteria for cockpit design and training;
failure to evaluate sufficiently human performance in the new environment;
basic lack of knowledge about human performance;
lack of understanding and consideration of cultural differences as they affect cockpit design, training, operations and evaluation.
An "implementation team" led by NASA and the FAA has been set up to develop a long-term plan to implement the report's recommendations. Co-chairing the study group will be NASA Langley's Professor Kathy Abbott and FAA Seattle's Stephen Slotte.
FAA Administrator David Hinson says: "It's imperative that we find better ways for flightcrews to deal with constantly evolving cockpit technologies, philosophies, training, automation and cultural influences."
The report's recommendations concern "specific improvements [which could be achieved] over the next five or more years", including:
the need for cockpit designers, users, evaluators and researchers to develop expertise in understanding human performance;
development of cockpit-design, training, operations and certification-standards changes which take into account human-performance problems, and of the tools which support the improvements and measure the effectiveness of the human-factors advances;
updating of regulatory standards to prevent cockpit design which could "-contribute to human error and reduce flightcrew-situation awareness".
Despite the modern cockpit's shortcomings, the report says, today's aircraft have better safety records than their forbears.
Source: Flight International
