Flight Deck and Human-Machine Interface

Flight Deck Human-Machine Interface - "What to Expect in the Future" This paper will analyze the issues associated with the flight deck human-machine interface. The data for this research will be collected through a number of secondary sources. Quantitative analysis of the collected data will be performed on the basis of frequency and types of accidents and the causes of accidents that occurred after the introduction of this technology.

Qualitative analysis of the collected data will be performed on the basis of previous researches that were conducted on the issue under consideration. On the basis of the results obtained from this analysis, various recommendations will be proposed so that this technology can be further enhanced and the issues associated with it can be eliminated. The paper will also analyze aviation safety legislation and propose the changes that should be made in the legislation to make this technology safer and more efficient.

Furthermore, the paper will also analyze the major aviation safety issues that the industry confronts, and propose ways in which these issues could be managed properly by authorities. Flight Deck Human-Machine Interface - "What to Expect in the Future" Statement of the Project This project will provide an explanation of the issues and concerns associated with the flight deck human-machine interface.

In addition, the paper will present a discussion concerning the positives of the interface, as well as the possible hazards to it, followed by a summary of the research and important findings concerning these issues. The project will analyze all potential issues and advantages, and will propose recommendations for further development of the flight deck human-machine interface.

Even though flight deck automation has been well-received in an effective manner by the aviation industry, there has also been an increase in the identification of automation related human factor issues which are associated with the flight deck human-machine interface. (Funk, Niemczyk, Suroteguh & Owen, 1999).

This is an individual project for the degree program of aviation, and will provide readers of it with strong information about what has been taking place in the field of human-machine interface on the flight deck, and what will be likely to take place in the future. Introduction In the present day, automation plays an important role in the aviation industry. The presence of automation and advanced technologies on airplanes contribute significantly to the improvement of skills and performance of pilots.

In addition to that, these technologies also enhance the safety of flight operations, which can make a difference for everyone involved in working with or flying on the aircraft (Chialastri, 2012). It has also been indicated based on a number of issues that automation is often misused by the pilots. This fact can be established on the basis of a several variables, including human capabilities and limitations, along with poor ergonomics (Chialastri, 2012). This paper aims at analyzing the benefits, issues, and concerns associated with the flight deck human-machine interface.

It will also propose recommendations for the further enhancement of the manner in which this technology is deployed. The data for the purpose of this research will be gathered from secondary sources. The researcher, in order to get adequate results, will perform a qualitative as well as a quantitative analysis of the gathered information, resulting in a mixed-method study.

The final results will then be communicated to the readers in a manner that will enable them to easily understand the meaning of this research and extract important information out of it. In that way, there can be more information provided that results in better human-machine interface options on the flight deck.

The required data will be obtained from a number of peer reviewed journals, both online and printed, as well as books, including Flight deck automation and task management, and government publications, including Recommended Practices and Guidelines for Part 23 Cockpit/Flight Deck Design, Auto-flight Audit, and Human Factors Research Status Report and previously conducted researches Program Outcomes to be addressed Critical Thinking "The student will apply knowledge at a synthesis level to define and solve problems within professional and personal environments" (ERAU, 2014). Critical thinking is the key to success.

For this project, that critical thinking involves effective demonstration of the collected information. It requires the researcher to analyze and present that data that is specific to the purpose of the research. Furthermore, it enables the researcher to contrast and compare critical variables and propose meaningful recommendations. By doing that, the researcher will be able to clearly show the focus of human-machine interface on the flight deck in the present day, and where it is headed in the future.

There are many expected advances, and critical thinking is required to ensure that those advances are handled in the best way possible for everyone involved in aviation. The study requires the student to understand and consider all aspects of the topic being discussed, and then communicate that information to the readers in an appropriate and effective manner.

For the purpose of this research, the student will perform a quantitative analysis, which will examine the basis of the accidents that have taken place before and after the implementation of the flight deck human-machine interface and the changes that occurred in the nature of these accidents. The student will also examine previous research on the topic under consideration in order to draw conclusions regarding how human-machine interface changes on the flight deck have impacted safety and reliability.

Furthermore, the concepts of aviation sciences, including air traffic views, appropriate control structures, and communication between airlines and ground stations, and aviation safety legislations will also be examined, so changes can be recommended in this technology. Data regarding the accidents and safety records, aviation safety legislation, and the research that has been conducted previously will be required as information for an analysis that will provide insight into the above-mentioned objectives.

Quantitative Reasoning "The student will demonstrate the use of digitally-enabled technology (including concepts, techniques and tools of computing), mathematics proficiency & analysis techniques to interpret data for the purpose of drawing valid conclusions and solving associated problems" (ERAU, 2014). Quantitative reasoning will be used to provide charts and graphs detailing the problems with aviation and the human-machine interface. This will require that a statistical analysis of the type and frequency of accidents which have occurred from the year 2000 to the year 2013 be addressed.

The sum of various categories of aviation accidents and the causalities that were caused by each of these accidents, and the causes of fatal accidents, which occurred over the time period ranging from the year 1950 to the year 2010 will all be addressed (Naranji, Mazzuchi & Sarkani, 2013). Information Literacy "The student will conduct meaningful research, including gathering information from primary and secondary sources and incorporating and documenting source material in his or her writing" (ERAU, 2014).

Research will be gathered from primary and secondary sources, and that research will be used as a basis for understanding the study and predicting future outcomes. A number of research studies have been conducted previously, detailing the issue under consideration. In order to delve into the issues associated with the flight deck human-machine interface, the researcher will use a number of both primary and secondary sources.

This will enable the researcher to develop a better understanding of the topic under consideration, because it will provide insight into what has been done by other researchers in their own analyses of the issue.

The sources that will be used for extracting secondary data include textbooks, flight journals, journal articles, peer-reviewed research, government publications, and news articles that address flight deck concerns (Staff Members of the College of Computer and Information Science, Northeastern University, 2012) In order to ensure the value of the selected sources, they will all be analyzed and considered in light of authenticity and validity (Staff Members of the University of New Mexico, 2010). Communication "The student will communicate concepts in written, digital, and oral forms to present technical and non-technical information" (ERAU, 2014).

Presenting information requires proper communication, generally offered in several forms. In order to effectively communicate the data to the reader, so that he or she might be facilitated to extract important information out of the research, the research will develop two separate strategies for the communication of the quantitative and qualitative data (Hox & Boeije, 2007). The quantitative data would be communicated by tables, charts, and graphs (Staff Members of the Water, Engineering and Development Centre, Loughborough University, 2011).

The quantitative data will be presented in its natural form, and simplicity will be preferred over complexity. The order of the research will be preserved, facts will be compared, and case examples will be used (Staff Members of the Water, Engineering and Development Centre, Loughborough University, 2011). Communication will be done through email for ease and convenience, and the final paper will provide a detailed discussion of the information along with charts, graphs, and figures that back up the provided knowledge.

Scientific Literacy "The student will be able to analyze scientific evidence as it relates to the physical world and its interrelationship with human values and interests" (ERAU, 2014). Scientific evidence from primary and secondary sources will be used to show the value of the addressed area of concern.

After the quantitative and qualitative analysis of the data regarding accidents before and after changes that have been made to the human-machine interface, the researcher will use scientific concepts to propose recommendations that will enhance this technology and eradicate the issues associated with it. The researcher will propose recommendations based on the concepts of cognitive abilities of the human beings, limitations of electronic devices and integration of technological advancements and preferences of pilots (Letsu Dake, Rogers, Dorneich & De Mers, 2012).

In addition to that, it is important to show how the authority for making changes and carrying things out properly can be divided in the proper manner. This division will be among the pilots and other authorities of the technology, so that the pilots may remain motivated, and so that unnecessary fatigue and workload does not become an issue (Boy & Carlo Cacciabue, 1997). Cultural Literacy "The student will be able to analyze historic events, cultural artifacts and philosophical concepts" (ERAU, 2014).

Having cultural literacy requires an analysis of current and historical events and cultural norms. In order to satisfy this objective, the researcher will delve into the origin and development of automation within the cockpit. Under this section, the researcher will discuss the events that led towards the deployment of automation in the aviation industry. In addition to that, the trends and events that highlighted the issues associated with flight deck human-machine interface will be discussed.

The past culture of non-automation affected the human-machine interface by requiring much more of the pilot and other flight crew. When more automated systems began to be used, however, it was easy to see that much of the pressure previously placed on the pilots was relieved. That was important, and something that had to be considered in order to move forward with automation ideas that were truly helpful and valuable.

Safety was also affected, because it became very important for pilots to get rest breaks and to make sure they did not fly too many hours at one time. Automation changed the entire culture of aviation, and the ways in which that took place must be addressed. Lifelong Personal Growth "The student will be able to demonstrate the skills needed to enrich the quality of life through activities which enhance and promote lifelong learning" (ERAU, 2014). Enriching the quality of life through lifelong learning is vital for personal growth and development.

This section will propose recommendations in relation to training and development of the pilots and flight crew, which will enable the concerned authorities to reduce human error associated with this technology. These recommendations will be based on the concepts of continuous and effective training and development of the pilots, decentralized and inclusive decision making, and other related techniques that promote lifelong personal growth and enable the professionals to reap the maximum potential benefits of the technology (Staff Members of the General Aviation Manufacturers Association, 2013).

No matter the value of the technology in and of itself, it cannot provide true value to the organization or the field of study if it is not properly used or if all of its benefits are not utilized. Aeronautical Science "The student will demonstrate an understanding and application of the basic and thus advanced concepts of aeronautical science as they apply to the aviation/aerospace industry for solving problems" (ERAU, 2014) Both basic and advanced concepts of aeronautical science can be used to solve problems within that field.

This section will propose recommendations that will be made in the design of the flight deck human-machine interface. That will enable the pilot to have visual surveillance outside the cockpit, including viewing for landing and obstruction avoidance, and assessment of airborne traffic. In addition, unobstructed and clear views of the internal displays and controls will be addressed. Recommendations will enable the development of easy manual intervention in the controls without increase in the probability of improper aviation (Staff Members of the General Aviation Manufacturers Association, 2013).

Aviation Legislation and Law "The student will engage and discuss to present an understanding and application of basic concepts in National and International Legislation and Law as they pertain to the aviation/aerospace industry" (ERAU, 2014). After the issues associated with the flight deck human machine interface have been revealed various amendments were made in the U.S. Federal Aviation Regulation 14 CFR (Staff Members of the Flight Safety Foundation, 2008). All of these amendments will be discussed in order to show their value, and their necessity in aviation law.

Apart from that, this section will also propose recommendations in relation to the changes that shall be made in the aviation legislation and law to further enhance the security of the airlines. Aviation Safety "The student will compare and discuss in written and spoken formats an understanding and application of basic concepts in aviation safety as they pertain to the aviation/aerospace industry" (ERAU, 2014). The basic concepts in aviation safety provide important value and information for those who are interested in a better understanding of human-machine interface.

This section will aim at addressing the three major aviation safety issues that exist in the present era. These include: development of technologies that will enable the concerned authorities to reduce the number of accidents through the introduction of enhanced vehicle designs, structures and subsystems; development of technologies that will enable the concerned authorities to reduce the number of accidents through the enhancement of aerospace vehicle operations that take place.