Re: Electronic Checklists
Bake53_at_aol.com
Mon, 21 Apr 1997 22:41:45 -0400 (EDT)
Larry,
Thanks for your post. I am involved with corporate aircraft that have the
electronic checklists. Prior to this I flew airline types that did not have
such equipment. I think, after developing SOPs for both methods, the
electronic lists have some merit in the area of abnormals and emergencies.
However, I have reservations about their use in normal and most abnormal
situations. On your first point, if both pilots are looking at the checklist,
then both heads are down. If the PF does not understand or does not respond
correctly, then the crew must communicate; keep the loop closed. On your
point of marking the line or item; All of the systems I see can be stopped
and change color as each line is completed. The snags come when the trusty
PNF holds the button too long and skips an item or two or pushes the page
button instead of the line advance and has to scroll through the entire list
to get back to the original spot. During any of this, the PNF is out of
commission operating an unnecessary system. The human thumb makes a great
marker. The partial EFIS aircraft with the radar presented checklist is , in
my opinion, useless. Radar is for radar. I don't think I would take my wx
radar display away to run a checklist. Checklists on MFDs require the
removal of LNAV and VNAV information while the checklist is performed. If you
are holding a list, no information. This is not critical. It nicely sets up
confusion if another tube is lost. Why have good information if it is going
to be repalced at critical times e.g. takeoff, approach, and landing?
I am sure that having those immediate action items pop up in red on the tube
helped some. But I also bet that you and your crew knew what had to be done
to stabilize the situation. To me, the emegency lists work well. The EICAS,
ECAM, and MFD systems work well and offer good information. However, the
systems I am associated with provide no checklists for yellow or blue EICAS
messages or annuciations. Out comes the old book! There is no continuity
here. Electronic checklists for some situations and not others.
Training is very tough with electronic lists. If the sim does not have your
list then your in the book or looking at something different. The crew goes
back to the line without the full benefit of what was provided. Fly like you
train and train like you fly?
Alot of what I have written here is what I have observed and experienced. I
am concerned that too much emphasis is being placed on this methodology. I
do not believe for the most part that it increases situational awareness or
decreases pilot workload.
Again thanks,
John