Advanced Technology Aircraft Safety Survey Report - Australian ...

ADVANCED TECHNOLOGY AIRCRAFT SAFETY SURVEY REPORT
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With developing automation the level of activity during the cruise phase of flight is
continuing to reduce. Navigation and communication tasks have significantly reduced
compared with the previous generation of aircraft.
Conversion difficulties
Pilots were asked to nominate the most difficult part of their conversion to advanced-
technology aircraft. A significant proportion (63%) of respondents answered this question.
Their responses are summarised in table B9.5 below,
Table 89.5
Difficult aspects of conversion to advanced technology aircraft
Difficulty %
FMC/FMGS 42%
Autopilot / auto throttle mode selection 13%
CRT instrumentation / instrument scan 10%
Understanding automation philosophy 8%
Information overload 6%
Mode control panel 5%
Other 16%
To express their difficulties pilots employed terms commonly used to describe a new learning
experience:
Accepting FMC data;
Adapting to the FMC and MCP;
Assimilating all the information;
Becoming familiar with the FMC;
Coming to grips with (to terms with automation concepts);
Finding information in the FMC;
Getting used to the FMC;
Learning different manipulative skills: and
Understanding and operating the FMC.
Such language supports the hypothesis that the challenge faced by pilots during conversion
training on an automated aircraft is largely conceptual rather than physical.
The areas in which pilots experienced most difficulty during their conversion training
correlate closely with their responses to question B8.7, in which pilots were asked what could
be done to improve the training they received on their aircraft. Of the respondents (n = 157)
who specifically addressed automation, 58% stated that they would like more ‘hands on’
training and the provision of an FMC trainer or fixed-base simulator. They then suggested
that in-depth training on automated systems (19%), teaching about automation philosophy
(14%) and more training on mode characteristics would have improved their training.
The request for more hands-on training is not necessarily a request for more hands-on flying
experience, but reflects the need to further explore, or consolidate, systems knowledge.
Approximately 9% of pilots responding to question B9.5 commented upon the large amount
of information they were expected to assimilate in such a short period of time.