philosophy and policies of automation: an operational
TRANSCRIPT
Philosophy and Policies of
Automation:
An Operational Perspective
FO Helena Reidemar
(Director of Human Factors – ALPA)
► The main values, vision, and goals Founders (Eddie Rickenbacker’s, Wolman)
Culture, modus operandi, business focus
► A sophisticated, takes you one level higher,
direction and approach to get there
Collaborative automation
Team-oriented approach to automation
► Means, or the conceptual engine, for
propelling you there Implications across org., funding, rules, etc.
Philosophy
► Deconstruction and direction of how to
implement the philosophy for specific
situations and aspects of the operation Automation, procedures design, checklist usage,
emergency procedures, and every aspect of the
operation in and out of the flight deck
► The essence of the operation, focus areas,
and a general approach
► Setting of priorities
► How to operationalize priorities What is to be maximized, what is to be minimized
Policies
► Jurisprudence
Used by traffic court when there are no laws or
legal precedence 1. Minimize the impact on the flow of traffic and the
operational environment stay at home …
be very sensitive to the traffic, understand it, and don’t
take action that will agitate it
2. Maximize the courtesy to other drivers and the
environment but not at the expense of rule #1
► Setting of priorities
► How to operationalize priorities
What is to be maximized, what is to be minimized
Example of Policies: Traffic Laws
► Objective: to provides general principles for human-
automation interaction in the cockpit and all other
aspects of operation
► The operator (pilot) must be knowledgeable,
considerate, and highly sensitive to the abilities and
limitations of the automation Team-oriented approach
► Minimize the impact on the flow of traffic (ATC, ground
control, terminal area) while using manual, semi-, or fully-automatic modes of operation
► Maximize the smoothness and elegance of the human
automation interaction, mode switches, and inter-crew
interaction
Elements of an Automation Policy
► A prescribed method for executing a task.
► Procedures don’t come from thin air.
► They correspond to policies and the overarching philosophy,
thus achieving internal coherency.
► Procedures define: 1. What is the task
2. When and where is the task conducted (time, in response to an
event or necessitating conditions)
3. By whom it is conducted (and which other personal is needed)
4. The mechanics of carrying out the task (actions, sequences,
callouts)
5. What information is used to perform the procedural tasks?
6. What feedback is provided (to other crew members, e.g.) about
task (its action, sequences, start and completion)
7. How does it relate to other procedures and tasks (e.g.,
branching)
Procedures
Philosophy
Policies
Procedures
The 4 P’s Framework
Philosophy
Policy A, Policy B
Procedure 1, Procedure 2, Proc. 3
The 4 P’s Framework
Practices
Philosophy
Policies
Procedures
The 4 P’s Framework
Practices
► The term “practice” encompasses every activity
conducted on the flight deck
► While a procedure may be mandatory, it is the
pilot who will either conform to it or deviate
► Ideally, procedures and practices should be the
same
► The high prevalence of the “pilot deviation from
SOP” classification in ASRS reports indicates that
no one should assume that pilots will follow
procedures dictated by their company
Practices
Philosophy
Policies
Procedures
Practices
Philosophy
Policies
Procedures
Practices
Philosophy
Policies
Procedures
Practices
Philosophy
Policies
Procedures
Practices
►Flaps configuration change during
takeoff roll
►Getting too caught up in the FMC and
not flying the aircraft and results in
undesired aircraft state.
►Out of trim problem due to icing not
recognized.
Philosophy
Policies (automation, emergencies, abnormal,
normal, captain authority, PF/PM, etc.)
Procedures (checklist, approach, takeoffs, volcanic ash, etc.)
Scientific
principles
feedback
The 4 P’s Framework: Ideal
Practices (actual behavior during line operations)
Practices (actual behavior during line operations)
Practices Practices
Feedback
Procedures
Scientific
principle
s
The 4 P’s Framework: Real
►With respect to automation…
Consider the manufacturers polices and
philosophies of automation
Clarify and articulate a philosophy of
operation
► Airline A, B, C
Begin articulating a policy of automation
► Airline policy of automation
What can we do?
Automation Philosophies (Abbott, 2001)
Within the normal
flight envelope, the
automation must not
work against
operator inputs,
except when
absolutely necessary
for safety.
The pilot is the final
authority for the
operation of the
airplane.
Apply automation as
a tool to aid, not
replace, the pilot.
Airbus Boeing
► Automation must not reduce overall
aircraft reliability, it should enhance
aircraft and systems safety, efficiency,
and economy
► Automation must not lead the aircraft
out of the safe flight envelope and it
should maintain the aircraft within the
normal flight envelope
► Automation should allow the operator
to use the safe flight envelope to its
full extent, should this be necessary
due to extraordinary circumstances
► Within the normal flight envelope, the
automation must not work against
operator inputs, except when
absolutely necessary for safety
► Flight crew tasks, in order of
priority, are safety, passenger
comfort, and efficiency
► The pilot is the final authority for
the operation of the airplane
► Apply automation as a tool to aid,
not replace, the pilot
► Use new technologies and
functional capabilities only when:
They result in clear and
distinct operational or
efficiency advantages, and
there is no adverse effect to
the human-machine interface
Automation Philosophies At the Manufacturers (Abbott, 2001)
Airbus Boeing
► The manufacturers’ automation philosophy is about
design. Says nothing about operations and provide
little guidance for training, procedures, division of
labor, workload in the terminal area, etc.
► The problem is compounded by the fact that many
airlines operate both Airbus and Boeing aircraft.
► That’s exactly why a philosophy and policy of
automation is imperative.
► It helps in creating more coherent procedures,
proper guidance, and also helps pilot to deal with
automated-related situation where there is no SOP.
Do you see the problem?
► Philosophy Culture: Texan. Unique approach to doing business.
May be considered Cowboy mentality. Takes care of his
own. Short haul, good weather.
► Procedures and usage of automation
guidance No VNAV, No LNAV
Steam gauge displays despite new aircraft
► Policy (inferred) No need for automation. Metal covers over VNAV
button. No training for automation. Pilots discouraged
from using automation.
Airline A
► Philosophy (same) Culture: Texan. Unique approach to doing business.
May be considered Cowboy mentality. Takes care of
his own. Short haul, good weather.
► Procedures and usage of automation
guidance Signed up to be the first airline to use RNAV
need to train for automation, yet have little
experience with it
► Policy (inferred) Complete revamp of policy!!!
Airline A
► Philosophy Culture: Nordic/Germanic. Everything is pre-thought
and evaluated. Flat hierarchy gradient between F/O
and captains. Air Force mentality.
► Procedures and usage of automation
guidance “Open Descent” restricted below 1000 feet (A-330)
► Policy elements (inferred) Very narrow interpretation for pilots while using
automation
Airline B
► Philosophy (inferred) Culture: ”wide road,” Pilot in command is supreme
commander. Navy mentality
► Procedures and usage of automation
guidance “Open Descent” restricted below 500 feet (A-330)
► Policy elements (inferred) Broad for pilots while using automation
Airline C
► Objective: to provides general principles for human-
automation interaction in the cockpit and all other
aspects of operation ► The operator (pilot) must be knowledgeable, considerate,
and highly sensitive to the abilities and limitations of the
automation A team-oriented approach (human and machine are sensitive to
one another) vs. supervisory control (slave-master) or even
human-centered (machine sensitive to human)
► Minimize the impact on the flow of traffic (ATC, ground
control, terminal area) While using manual, semi-, or fully-automatic modes of operation
► Maximize the smoothness and elegance of the human
automation interaction, mode switches, and inter-crew
interaction
Elements of Style for designing an Automation Policy
The word “Automation,” where it appears in this statement, shall mean the
replacement of human function, either manual or cognitive, with a machine function.
This definition applies to all levels of automation in all airplanes flown by this airline.
The purpose of automation is to aid the pilot in doing his or her job. The pilot is the
most complex, capable and flexible component of the air transport system, and as
such is best suited to determine the optimal use of resources in any given situation.
Pilots must be proficient in operating their airplanes in all levels of automation. They
must be knowledgeable in the selection of the appropriate degree of automation,
and must have the skills needed to move from one level of automation to another.
Automation should be used at the level most appropriate to enhance the priorities of
Safety, Passenger Comfort, Public Relations, Schedule, and Economy, as stated in the
Flight Operations Policy Manual. In order to achieve the above priorities, all Delta Air
Lines training programs, training devices, procedures, checklists, aircraft and
equipment acquisitions, manuals, quality control programs, standardization,
supporting documents, and the day-to-day operations of Delta aircraft shall be in
accordance with this statement.
Delta Automation Statement (Wiener et al. 1991 )
Loukopoulos, Dismukes, Barshi - NASA