Automation in aviation has had a tremendous impact on the way flying is done. The use of automation has allowed us to maximize the use of aircraft, giving the pilot all the information he/she needs while lessening the work load. How could there possibly be a downside?
As a pilot I learned to fly in airplanes that have IFR certified GPS that would give you headings and a drawn out map of approaches or departures that can take away some of the thinking required. If I am not mentally walking through what I am doing it can lead to an instance where situational awareness can become less than what it should be. Having a strong understanding on each system and having the ability to be able to apply those methods can be extremely critical if the automation were to fail during flight. If pilots become relaxed and stop being mentally involved with flying and observing the flight instruments small problems can be quickly compounded in to large problems that sometimes can have terrible consequences.
As a management student I understand the importance of streamlining and making operations as efficient and cost effective as possible. However, if there is a certain point where piloting skills are deteriorating perhaps adjustments to standard operating procedures should be addressed or additional training to ensure safe operations should a automation failure arise.
Although automation is quickly becoming the norm in aviation it is critical to make sure that pilots are well trained and knowledgeable on how to deal with automation failure. An article published by Flight Safety Foundation discussed ways that airline pilots would try and maintain there “stick and rudder” skills by hand flying where others would simply let the computers fly the plane if the company operating procedure would allow it. Pilots can put too much faith into what the computer is telling them without verifying the information through cross checks or just thinking about where the plane is in flight. Although failure occurrences can be rare, knowing what needs to be done can be enough overt a dangerous situation.
I think we as future aviation managers should have a thorough understanding of automation. One day we have to make big decisions regarding aviation matters whether on automation or numerous other aviation related issues. Human must remain the master of flight because no matter how precise automated systems and machines get, they always remain susceptible to errors and breakdowns. Over-use and over-reliance on flight computers and technology will eventually deprive us of our skills and senses! Therefore, pilots need to train, train, and train.
ReplyDeleteVery nice link - in fact, I've printed it for others to review in class. Eagle iView - I'm not saying I disagree with your sentiment to "train, train and train", but remember - all that training comes at a cost and, as management, you will be the one mitigating those costs.
ReplyDeleteAs a fellow pilot, I definitely understand the use of all the automation in the G1000 equipped aircraft we fly. I have had the fortunate experience to actually fly 'steam gauge' aircraft at the beginning of my training, and should something go wrong, I feel confident my training would kick in and the use of the standby instruments would not be difficult. However, not the same could be said of most other students out here, as most have never seen the inside of a cockpit without glass. I would highly suggest finding the time to get into an aircraft that isn't equipped with a glass cockpit. The realization of how much pilotage really goes into flying an airplane by hand, and not relying on GPS and glass, is quite surreal, and could be life saving.
ReplyDelete