All about the Automation in airline

2.  Automation is the use of control systems and
information technologies reducing the need
for human intervention (Wikipedia, 2010). In
aviation, we can see an increasing level of
automation in, for example, the flight and air
traffic control operations.
 The dictionary clearly defines automation as
"the use of computers to control a particular
process in order to increase reliability and
efficiency, often through the replacement of
employees. Both definitions basically focus
on two aspects - the introduction of
"computers" and the implications on
"humans" in the performance of a task.

3.  Automation is the use of control systems
and information technologies reducing
the need for human intervention
(Wikipedia, 2010).
 In aviation, we can see an increasing
level of automation in, for example, the
flight and air traffic control operations

4.  Thedictionary clearly defines
automation as "the use of computers to
control a particular process in order to
increase reliability and efficiency, often
through the replacement of employees.
 Both definitions basically focus on two
aspects - the introduction of "computers"
and the implications on "humans" in the
performance of a task.

5.  With the advent of modern technology, the use of
computers becomes inevitable in the completion
and performance of a particular task.
 While automation proves to improve the
completion of a job, it drastically affects the
"operator" whose task shifts from being the
"performer" to being the "onlooker".
 This is where the issue of "complacency" sets in.
 With this major revolution, one may ask if the
introduction of automation is indeed an
advantage or disadvantage.

6.  With the advent of modern technology, the use of computers
becomes inevitable in the completion and performance of a
particular task. While automation proves to improve the
completion of a job, it drastically affects the "operator" whose task
shifts from being the "performer" to being the "onlooker". This is
where the issue of "complacency" sets in. With this major
revolution, one may ask if the introduction of automation is indeed
an advantage or disadvantage.
 Since the evolution of this major global trend, automation has
widely enveloped the aviation field. Industry-wide, it has become
a by-name and is considered an indispensable or integral addition
to this highly complex, dynamic, and competitive business with
the objective of improving and controlling flight management
efficiency. Nowadays, we can see a widespread use and increasing
level of automation in aviation particularly in flight and air traffic
control operations. However, it has also given rise to issues and
concerns pertaining to human intervention, accidents and
incidents; and issues on human factors, specifically complacency.

7. Since the evolution of this major global trend,
automation has widely enveloped the aviation
field. Industry-wide, it has become a by-name
and is considered an indispensable or integral
addition to this highly complex, dynamic, and
competitive business with the objective of
improving and controlling flight management
efficiency.
 Nowadays, we can see a widespread use and
increasing level of automation in aviation
particularly in flight and air traffic control
operations.
 However, it has also given rise to issues and
concerns pertaining to human intervention,
accidents and incidents; and issues on human
factors, specifically complacency.

8.  Automation in flight operations:
 HF and automation
 Pilot / computer interface
 Autopilot
 Autothrottle
 Flight management system
 Automation in ATC operations:
 ADS-B
 SWIM
 NextGen
 NNEW

9.  Advantages
 1) Greater Situational Awareness
 With reduced direct operational involvement, flight crew members are
able to allocate their concentration towards maintaining awareness with
their environment as well as interpersonal communication with their
colleagues. Automation are thus able to relieve pilots of their workloads
by assuring the availability of essential flight information at all times.
Flight safety is enhanced when pilots are able to react more quickly and
effectively to situations due to greater attention to their surroundings.
 2) Operating Cost Reduction
 With computer management, the heading, altitude and airspeed whereby
the aircraft can travel at the most ideal efficiency, can be retrieved. With
efficient flight performance, fuel usage can be reduced to achieve a lower
operating cost. This is especially critical for commercial airlines, which
aim to cut cost for greater profits. As flight information is managed by the
flight management computers automatically, the requirement of having a
third flight crew (flight engineer) to oversee the performance of
secondary airplane systems and fuel consumption is lifted. A reduced
number of flight crew members required helps to cut costs for airlines.

10.  1) Greater Situational Awareness
 With reduced direct operational involvement,
flight crew members are able to allocate their
concentration towards maintaining awareness
with their environment as well as interpersonal
communication with their colleagues.
Automation are thus able to relieve pilots of their
workloads by assuring the availability of
essential flight information at all times. Flight
safety is enhanced when pilots are able to react
more quickly and effectively to situations due to
greater attention to their surroundings

11.  2) Operating Cost Reduction
 With computer management, the heading,
altitude and airspeed whereby the aircraft can
travel at the most ideal efficiency, can be
retrieved. With efficient flight performance, fuel
usage can be reduced to achieve a lower
operating cost.
 This is especially critical for commercial airlines,
which aim to cut cost for greater profits.
 As flight information is managed by the flight
management computers automatically, the
requirement of having a third flight crew (flight
engineer) to oversee the performance of
secondary airplane systems and fuel
consumption is lifted.
 A reduced number of flight crew members
required helps to cut costs for airlines.

12.  Disadvantages
 1) Overdependence on Automation (Complacency)
 With increased reliance on automated technologies, flight crew may rely excessively on the glass
cockpits. This could lead to the negligence of the necessity of their participation during crucial
periods of a flight, such as the landing and takeoff phases.
 For instance, in 1974, Eastern Air Lines Flight 212 crashed short of the runway while executing a
precise instrumental approach in poor visibility conditions into Charlotte/Douglas International
Airport. Out of the 82 people aboard the flight, only ten survived. The accident investigation concluded
that the mishap occurred due to the pilot distraction.
 After the observation of several accidents that were due to pilot distraction when flight crew engages
in unnecessary activities during crucial flight phases, the Sterile Cockpit Rule was instilled by the
Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) in 1981. This regulation prohibits flight crew from engaging in
unnecessary activities during important flight phases, usually below the flight altitude of 10,000 feet.
 The introduction of the Crew Resource Management (CRM) training in 1979 also strives to enhance
pilot decision-making skills by highlighting the importance of situational awareness, leadership
capabilities and interpersonal communication skills even during the presence of automation and
convenience.
 Both the CRM training and Sterile Cockpit Rule aim to emphasize the role of the automation only as an
additional supporting assistance tool. Even with the introduction of the automation, flight crew are still
educated to direct as much attention to piloting the flight as before the debut of the technology.
 With this, the Times quotes engineering Professor William B. Rouse of Georgia Institute of Technology
and IEEE Fellow as saying, "Complacency is an issue, but designing the interaction between human
and technical so the human has the right level of judgment when you need them is a design task in
itself… When the person has no role in the task, there’s a much greater risk of complacency." Also, a
captain at Continental Airlines, once said, "No light comes on to tell you that you're being complacent

13.  With increased reliance on automated technologies,
flight crew may rely excessively on the glass
cockpits. This could lead to the negligence of the
necessity of their participation during crucial
periods of a flight, such as the landing and takeoff
phases.
 For instance, in 1974, Eastern Air Lines Flight 212
crashed short of the runway while executing a
precise instrumental approach in poor visibility
conditions into Charlotte/Douglas International
Airport.
 Out of the 82 people aboard the flight, only ten
survived. The accident investigation concluded that
the mishap occurred due to the pilot distraction.

14.  Continue……
 After the observation of several accidents that
were due to pilot distraction when flight crew
engages in unnecessary activities during crucial
flight phases, the Sterile Cockpit Rule was
instilled by the Federal Aviation Administration
(FAA) in 1981. This regulation prohibits flight
crew from engaging in unnecessary activities
during important flight phases, usually below the
flight altitude of 10,000 feet.
 The introduction of the Crew Resource
Management (CRM) training in 1979 also strives
to enhance pilot decision-making skills by
highlighting the importance of situational
awareness, leadership capabilities and
interpersonal communication skills even during
the presence of automation and convenience.

15.  Both the CRM training and Sterile Cockpit Rule aim to
emphasize the role of the automation only as an
additional supporting assistance tool.
 Even with the introduction of the automation, flight
crew are still educated to direct as much attention to
piloting the flight as before the debut of the
technology.
 With this, the Times quotes engineering Professor
William B. Rouse of Georgia Institute of Technology
and IEEE Fellow as saying, "Complacency is an issue,
but designing the interaction between human and
technical so the human has the right level of judgment
when you need them is a design task in itself… When
the person has no role in the task, there’s a much
greater risk of complacency." Also, a captain at
Continental Airlines, once said, "No light comes on to
tell you that you're being complacent

16.  Spencer and Ebbage (20031) defined
airmanship as the following: “A personal state
that enables aircrew to exercise sound
judgement, display uncompromising flight
discipline and demonstrate skilful control of
an aircraft and a situation.
 It is maintained by continuous self-
improvement and a desire to perform
optimally at all times.”
 Flight crew aircraft piloting skill development
may be adversely affected by their excessive
dependence on the electronic instruments.
 For instance, pilots can rely totally on the
autopilot function to maintain a particular
altitude and airspeed of the aircraft.

17.  The importance of airmanship is highlighted when
airlines doubt pilot training effectiveness through
the new Multi-Pilot Crew License (MPL) medium.
 The MPL allows pilots to bypass the acquisition of
Private Pilot License (PPL) as well as Commercial
Pilot License (CPL) to achieve a frozen Air
Transport Pilot License (ATPL).
 With greater focus on flight simulator training,
airline pilots trained through the MPL method will
not spend as many hours as pilots trained via the
traditional method.
 As the automation features become more common
on many aircraft types, flight crew will inevitably
increase their reliance on these functions.
 This causes pilots to reduce their application of
airmanship. The ability to fly an aircraft manually
despite regular exposure to automation and
convenient information access is important,
especially during emergencies.

18.  In 2008, United Airlines Flight 731 lost half of its
display panels, radios, transponders and TCAS.
Fortunately, the pilots were able to maintain
manual flight control to land back at their
departure aerodrome. The necessity to maintain
airmanship is thus highlighted even during this
age of automation.
 While 90% of the flight crew members surveyed
in a National Aeronautics and Space
Administration (NASA) questionnaire indicated
that they do practise manual flying to uphold
their skills, it ultimately depends on how much
the industry emphasizes the importance of
airmanship over the safety and efficiency of
flight operations.

19.  Automation has indeed proven itself to be revolutionary
technological advancement which reliably enhances flight
operational safety and efficiency.
Pilots can allocate resources and concentration efficiently to
piloting the plane safety with convenient access to the required
flight information.
With reduced number of flight crew and fuel consumption,
operation expenditure is lower.
Despite economic and operational advantages, over-reliance on
automation may deteriorate pilots’ airmanship.
Excessive dependence on automation may result in flight crew’s
complacency to assure their participation during the flight,
especially during critical phases.
The introduction of training and implementation of rule assures that
pilots dedicate their attention to situational awareness, even as the
aircraft is controlled by the computers.
Only with the emphasis of cognitive skills to eliminate human
errors, such technological advances can then enhance flight safety.

20.  The benefits of automation may be highly regarded but
this should not prevent the "operator" to exercise his
"human touch" or intervention in the fulfillment of a task.
Its drawbacks have high and costly returns that need to
be taken into consideration.
 Whether or not automation is boon or bane is no longer
a question, with it being embraced by the industry, it is
undoubtedly that this system will be eliminated. So, in
order to fully maximize and utilize its benefits, the
drawbacks must be addressed and the development of
"operator" through proper training should be a prime
concern.
 Automation is here to stay and there is no stopping it. It
has proven to be a major technological advancement in
the industry, and with proper handling and use, plus the
full knowledge and commitment to job completion of
individuals using and maintaining it, the human +
computer tandem will equate to reliability, safety and
efficiency beyond par.