Re: Flightdeck Automation Training Questionnaire
DAI (dai_at_innet.lu)
Tue, 03 Dec 1996 18:17:30 +0100
JReddek744_at_aol.com wrote:
>
> Blue Coat & CRM Developers
>
> I e:mailed a survey questionnaire a few days ago and have received several
> responses, but not without some problems. Like aircraft automated systems,
> computers leave a lot to be desired even today. Rather than attach my survey
> as a separate document, I've included it as part of this message.
>
> I really appreciate everyone's patience and sincerely hope that I haven't
> caused anyone any undue grief. I'm looking forward to your responses as the
> one's I've received so far have given me some new light on the subject.
>
> Flightdeck Automation Training Questionnaire
>
> This questionnaire has been sent to you to help me in the gathering of
> statistical information relating to "Glass Cockpit" automation initial and
> recurrent training as it presently exists. The answers that you provide will
> help to determine if the training is adequate for the new technology aircraft
> that are being designed and built today. Here is your chance to express your
> opinion and have it heard.
>
> Please, complete this survey as soon as possible. Your written comments will
> be greatly appreciated. All respondents will receive the results of the
> collected data. Thank You!
>
> Part A - Demographics
>
> 1. Name: Dave Martin (Optional)
>
> 2. Age: 47 Gender: Male (Male/Female)
>
> 3. Airline: Cargolux Airlines Type(s) A/C Flown: B747-400/300/200/SP/Combi/Freighter
>
> 4. Total Flt Hrs: 14000 Total Hours (Automated Aircraft): ________
>
> 5. Crew Position: Yes Captain ____ First Officer _____ Second Officer
>
> 6. Nature of flying background: No Military Yes Civilian ______ Both
>
> 7. What is your nationality? British
>
> 8. Where Training Received: Initial U.K. & S.A.
>
> Recurrent Europe
>
> Part B - Cockpit Automation
>
> The following 10 items deal with attitudes regarding flightdeck automation.
> For purposes of this questionnaire, automated aircraft are defined as those
> with a programmable Flight Management Computer (FMC). If you are currently
> flying an automated aircraft, base your responses on experience in this
> airplane. If you have not flown such an airplane, base your answers on your
> expectations regarding such aircraft. Please answer by writing beside each
> item a letter from the scale below.
>
> Answer Code: A - Strongly Agree
> B - Disagree
> C - Neutral
> D - Agree
> E - Strongly Agree
>
> 1. D I prefer flying automated aircraft.
> 2. B Under abnormal conditions, I can rapidly access the information I
> need in the FMC.
> 3. E It’s easy to forget how to do FMC operations that are not
> performed often.
> 4. B Pilots should avoid disengaging automated systems.
> 5. D There are modes and features of the FMC that I do not fully
> understand.
> 6. C Automated cockpits require more verbal communication between
> crewmembers.
> 7. E_ Automated cockpits require more cross-checking of crewmember
> actions.
> 8. B Automated systems should be used at the crew’s discretion.
> 9. D I try to use automation as much as possible during flight
> operations.
> 10. D It is difficult to know what FMC operations the other crewmember
> is performing.
>
> Part C - Automation Training
>
> The following 25 questions deal with your perceptions and concerns regarding
> the adequacy of training that is being provided during initial and recurrent
> training. Please answer by writing beside each item a letter from the scale
> below. Use same answer code as Part A.
>
> 1. E Deficiencies in basic aircraft training may exist.
>
> 2. E Training philosophy may be lacking (e.g., there may be no effective
> philosophy for training pilots for automated aircraft, possible resulting in
> inappropriate and inadequate training).
>
> 3. E Training requirements may neglect automation. (e.g., new
> technology aircraft require skills that may be very different than those that
> underlie current pilot training programs).
>
> 4. E Flightcrews may be trained in automation operation procedures but
> not in automation management, which can be critical for safe operations.
>
> 5. E Transitioning back and forth between advanced technology aircraft
> and conventional aircraft may increase pilot training requirements.
>
> 6. E Training objectives, methods, materials, or equipment may be
> inadequate to properly train pilots for safe and effective automated aircraft
> operation.
>
> 7. D Automation training requirements for instructor/check pilots may
> not be well defined, possibly leading to inadequately qualified
> instructor/check pilots.
>
> 8. D An understanding of the system subtleties will often determine how
> well you can recognize and recover from the infrequent times when automation
> is not doing what you want it to do.
>
> 9. B Flight crews should be relieved of the burden of fully
> understanding system operation or the system’s underlying design philosophy.
>
> 10. B Flight crews should be trained in the underlying principles of the
> system’s design, leaving some of the detail to individual good operating
> practice or technique.
>
> 11. D It is important for flight crews to understand the principles and
> assumptions embodied in the automation design that affect safe operational
> use, especially where these principles and assumptions may differ from those
> of the flightcrew.
>
> 12. E Initial and recurrent training programs should address autoflight
> mode and airplane energy awareness hazards.
>
> 13. E Initial and recurrent training programs should provide information
> on the characteristic’s and principles of the autoflight system’s design that
> have operational safety consequences; and
>
> 14. E Initial and recurrent training programs should provide training to
> proficiency of the FMS capabilities to be used in operations.
>
> 15. E Initial and recurrent training should provide a clear
> understanding of operational relevant automation principles and ensure user
> proficiency for the cockpit automated systems, including how these systems
> are used in conjunction with other systems (e.g., autopilot use during engine
> failure).
>
> 16. E During training using the Flight Director and Autopilot, a minimum
> set of functional modes should be addressed, including performing basic
> airmanship tasks such as turns to a heading, climbing, descending, capturing
> an altitude, lateral and vertical navigation guidance and envelope
> protection.
>
> 17. E Training should include significant flight deck automation
> failures or anomalies (e.g., dual unrecoverable FMS resynchronization during
> oceanic flights, navigational display map shifts during critical phases of
> flight, etc.).
>
> 18. B The emphasis of checkrides and the criteria used no longer
> necessarily reflect the best balance of knowledge and skills needed to safely
> conduct line operations.
>
> 19. B There appears to be continuous and intense economic pressure to
> decrease (or at least not increase) the time required for training since the
> advent of Advanced Qualification Program (AQP).
>
> 20. D Advanced maneuvers training should be an integral part of the
> training curriculum, especially in recurrent training (high bank angle
> recovery, full stalls, steep turns, approach to stall maneuvers).
>
> 21. ____ Airman certification criteria should be redefined so that release
> of flightcrew members to the line only occurs when they demonstrate
> satisfactory skills in managing and using the automation (Initial E;
> Recurrent E; Both E)
>
> 22. E Automation training should include "Turn-it-Off" training.
>
> 23. E Effectively train pilot’s to recognize cues that indicate that
> they have not obtained situational awareness, and provide effective measures
> to obtain that awareness.
>
> 24. E Manufacturer and the FAA training guidance emphasizes use of the
> FMC in virtually all facets of flight; as a result, airline training programs
> have transferred this philosophy to their line pilots.
>
> 25. D An effort should be made to reevaluate whether or not current
> training needs to focus also on the basic aviation skills such as manual
> flying, navigation without the benefit of automation, and escape maneuvers.
>
> Part D Please describe your recommendations to improve training of automated
> aircraft systems.
>
Recurrent training should include scenarios to develop crew's ability to
recognise different situations which may be handled better with an
appropriate level of automation.
It is essential that small cheap realistic (PC?) systems be developed
which enable crews to practice in their own time without resort to Fixed
Base or FFS's. It's no place to practice on the line!
>
> Thank you for taking time to complete the questionnaire.
> Your participation is appreciated.
>
> Jerry D Reddekopp
> JReddek744_at_aol.com