<< info_at_aero.ca (Jean LaRoche) >>
Jean, thank you very much for the info you posted about Y2K compliance. It is
very helpful. As you may have guessed my particular interest is in the HF
implications of all of this - particularly with the avionics retrofit to
Classics.
My understanding at this point is that some companies are currently breaking
the potential system problems down into three levels (like a medical
"Triage"). Level-1 involves mission critical items (hardware and/or
software); Level-2 involves mission essential items; and Level-3 involves
nuisance items (I wonder if any flight crews are in the loop to help
differentiate these levels of criticality).
Obviously, Level-1 items must be fixed. However, Level-2 and Level-3 items
may not all get fixed because they might not be found. How do their affects
get mitigated? My feeling is that on the flight deck such mitigation may be
left to the flight crew (after all, who is going to take the responsibility
for testing each aircraft -- particularly the Classics which have been
upgraded with a variety of avionics packages from different manufacturers over
the years). This all brings to mind the ever present CVR line "what the
----'s that thing doing now?"
I have a gut feel that those of us in Flight Test, HF, Flight Training, and
Operations need to be watching all of this action closely. As I recall, one
of the goals of HF is to ensure a smooth interface between automation and the
flight crew. Best Regards, Bob