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Essay on Affects Of Glass Cockpits On Pilot Skills
There has been a significant impact brought about by the progressive introduction of automation technologies onto commercial transport flight decks. The majority of these enhancements have been positive. For example, automation has allowed more efficient flight path management, a reduction in crew workload resulting in certification of the two-pilot cockpit, new crew interface features, and more efficient use of cockpit "real estate."
However, human factors problems with ever-more complex flight deck automation have also been noted. A systematic analysis of crew experiences with automation --that is, "lessons learned" from line experience--may aid in the definition and enhancement of human factors guidelines for the design and use of future automated flight decks.
A modern cockpit should be more like an observation tower than a minefield. That is, it should be designed in such a way that pilots have a clear view of aircraft performance and system status, and it should not contain what might be called 'pilot traps.'
Traps are defined as design features or aspects that tend to confuse pilots about an unfolding event, and which can distract them or induce them into making inappropriate decisions.
Traps can be subtle. For example, including speed deviation and localizer/glideslope information on the Attitude Director Indicator (ADI) may be encouraging pilots to focus their attention unduly on the ADI. Here is the root of an insidious pilot trap, as sound instrument flying technique involves the disciplined scanning of all flight instruments, not just focusing on one seemingly comprehensive display.
As to the philosophy of cockpit design, the systems (flight controls, avionics, etc.) need to be designed so that they are as simple as possible commensurate with the task. The design must reflect good ergonomics and a conscious effort to minimize 'pilot traps.' Ideally, pilots should receive feedback about aircraft behavior....
