Greetings from the New York TRACON!
>There's a lot of research on the issues you raise, and
>some solid attempts by AA, Delta, and aviation researchers
>to train pilots to use automation in ways that enhance and
>preserve their skills; but by definition, letting automation do
>the job takes the user out of the loop to some extent.
I am aware of some of this research. Please keep in mind what I was asking for
- thoughts on some of the PROBLEMS encountered in introducing automation, and
TRAINING TECHNIQUES for overcoming those problems (NOT hardware and/or software
modifications).
>I don't know of any method that allows completely riskless, effortless
>re-assumption of direct control by a user.
Again, keep in mind that I'm trying to look at things from the other side of the
mirror - a potential problem that I envision with the imminent automation of ATC
(at least they SAY it's iminent <<GG>>) is that a controller will revert to what
they know best - grab the mike and start barking orders. But in an enviroment
of Free Flight and Datalink, the attempt to directly (manually, if you will)
control the situation without a method for the controller to revert to some sort
of 'refresh' capability for the automation could very well make a bad situation
much, much worse. Come and visit us on a dark and stormy night when the winds
are howling out of the southeast and JFK & LGA are on 13's and EWR is on 22's
and you'll discover how precious little time a controller has to correct the
SLIGHTEST deviation or error. And just how many deviations and errors a
controller encounters and must correct in a hour, multiplied by 50 scopes.
>If you're looking for some background literature on the
>subject of automation and human performance, I can
>recommend a few good sources. If you're interested in
>what pilot training has to offer TRACON and center, AA
>might be willing to supply info on their philosophy of
>automation use, and Delta has made their Intro to
>Automation materials fairly public. A paper I put into
>the Human Error and Systems Development conference
>in Scotland last month describes some automation use
>philosophies, if you want it I can send it along.
I'm always looking for information. I'll be attending the OSU Symposium at the
end of the month. If you'll be there, then just bring it along and track me
down (shouldn't be too tough - I doubt there will be too many other people
walking around in NATCA shirts!)
Thanks for the offers, and let's keep in touch!
Sincerely,
Brian J. Fallon
NATCA Safety Representative, NY TRACON
Associate Editor, The NATCA Voice
http://www.natcavoice.org