I want to start off with a basic example of my view on automation...how often do we try to do something on a regular computer/labtop and mess up? (or how often does the computer mess up?) For me it's quite often. Don't get me wrong, I think automation is a great thing, just like I think computers are a great thing. But I don't think we should have to rely on a computer to fly a plane. Dr. Tartalone has told his flight students numerous times that most likely when we start flying it's not going to be something fancy, like a G-1000 system...it's going to be something simple in a DC-9.
In another example Dr. Phil told about some pilots that were trying to taxi a brand new freshly painted Airbus A-380, and they somehow made the plane think that it was in the air, so when they hit the brakes on the ground it didn't work, and they ended up totaling the new plane into a sound barrier.
If there is a complanency with automation that can be a big problem, as a avt. manager I would have more training every time new automation/technology comes out. Even if it cost more, training is an essential, but will end up saving lives in the end.
The key advantage in automation in avtiation is giving pilot more Situation Awareness. It gives pilots a faster, and easier way of making a decision. But with that fast and easy decision will come alot of money being invested. So even if it doesn't work, atleast the lights look cool.
* http://aviationknowledge.wikidot.com/aviation:automation
Interesting examples beyond the most popular example right now - the Air France accident. For the future, it is probably better to figure out a way to integrate the link into your discussion.
ReplyDeleteYou pose some good points. it might be best if automation did thing in a information providing bases. that would keep the pilot in control of the aircraft.it might make it harder for the pilot to lose situational awareness.
ReplyDelete