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: __________________________________ (Optional)
2. Age: _____ Gender: _________ (Male/Female)
3. Airline: ___________________ Type(s) A/C Flown: ____________
4. Total Flt Hrs: __________ Total Hours (Automated Aircraft): ________
5. Crew Position: ____ Captain ____ First Officer _____ Second Officer
6. Nature of flying background: ____ Military _____ Civilian ______ Both
7. What is your nationality? _________________________
8. Where Training Received: Initial _________________________________
Recurrent ______________________________
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. _____ I prefer flying automated aircraft.
2. _____ Under abnormal conditions, I can rapidly access the information I
need in the FMC.
3. _____ It’s easy to forget how to do FMC operations that are not
performed often.
4. _____ Pilots should avoid disengaging automated systems.
5. _____ There are modes and features of the FMC that I do not fully
understand.
6. _____ Automated cockpits require more verbal communication between
crewmembers.
7. _____ Automated cockpits require more cross-checking of crewmember
actions.
8. _____ Automated systems should be used at the crew’s discretion.
9. _____ I try to use automation as much as possible during flight
operations.
10. _____ 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. ____ Deficiencies in basic aircraft training may exist.
2. ____ 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. ____ 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. ____ Flightcrews may be trained in automation operation procedures but
not in automation management, which can be critical for safe operations.
5. ____ Transitioning back and forth between advanced technology aircraft
and conventional aircraft may increase pilot training requirements.
6. ____ Training objectives, methods, materials, or equipment may be
inadequate to properly train pilots for safe and effective automated aircraft
operation.
7. ____ Automation training requirements for instructor/check pilots may
not be well defined, possibly leading to inadequately qualified
instructor/check pilots.
8. ____ 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. ____ Flight crews should be relieved of the burden of fully
understanding system operation or the system’s underlying design philosophy.
10. ____ 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. ____ 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. ____ Initial and recurrent training programs should address autoflight
mode and airplane energy awareness hazards.
13. ____ 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. ____ Initial and recurrent training programs should provide training to
proficiency of the FMS capabilities to be used in operations.
15. ____ 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. ____ 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. ____ 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. ____ 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. ____ 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. ____ 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 ____;
Recurrent ____; Both ____)
22. _____ Automation training should include "Turn-it-Off" training.
23. _____ 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. _____ 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. ____ 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.
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
Thank you for taking time to complete the questionnaire.
Your participation is appreciated.
Jerry D Reddekopp
JReddek744_at_aol.com