On the Design of Flight-Deck Procedures - Intelligent Systems ...

1. Training department (for both pilot training and proficiency checks)2. Check airman program3. FAA inspection4. Line operationsBecause each one of these entities has different perspectives and objectives with regards to proceduralexecution, there may be differences in how pilots are required to perform. Flight management shouldattempt to minimize, to the degree possible, the differences in pilot performance between these “worlds.”The all-too-classical statement, “I don't care what they taught you in ground school, this is how we do itout here on the line” portrays a genuine standardization problem. Indeed, several flight crews that weinterviewed complained that this was the rule. In their view, the training department had a differentconcept of flying then flight standards, line operation had different concepts of operation than trainingand IOE, and even worse, the FAA inspectors expected something still different. It is important to notehere that those differences in concept of flying mainly centered on usage of the autoflight system of glasscockpit aircraft. The most common differences in philosophy were (1) cockpit set-up for differentphases of flight and (2) engagement of autoflight modes.We believe that the “Four-P” model detailed in this report, in conjunction with some organizationalcounter-measures, may be helpful in minimizing such differences. When philosophies and policies ofoperation are stated and communicated, this sets a single unequivocal baseline to all entities involved.Performance can therefore be judged or justified against this baseline.Guideline #23: The flow of any procedure through design, training, checking,implementation, and finally feedback, must be supported by the organizational structure.When a new procedure, or a modified procedure is established, it should be closely monitored(by standardization and check airmen, and LOFT instructors) for compliance.To summarize, any procedure, even the best one, can never be “bullet proof.” Since the environmentaround the plane is dynamic, the procedures and policies can only provide a baseline. This, we believe,is the true meaning of standardized procedures. The role of flight management is to provide the bestpossible baseline for the flight crews. “In any operational situation, seek to identify the non-standard oridiosyncratic item of operational significance with is relevant to the task. In other words, avoid reducingflying to an almost mindless ritual in which the normal or standard is unthinkingly accepted” (Johnston,1991). Procedures should be designed to represent a standardized baseline, but not substitute for anintelligent pilot.52