9 - Automation

Question 1

Automation bias

Answer 1

The complacency and deferral of responsibility to automation when it says or does something, assumption that the automation is so reliable that it is highly likely to be correct.

1 - favour automation over using effort to perform a critical analyse of situations using their own knowledge/experience
2 - perceived trust in automated systems, high reliability
3 - social loafing - effort reduced when the other crew/AP are contributing to the workload

Not typically an issue until automation fails and the pilot fails to recognise

Question 2

Automation dependency

Answer 2

Depending too much on automation to the extent that the pilot skills begin to degrade and suffer without automation, big issue when automation fails

Question 3

Automation disuse

Answer 3

Choosing not to use automation due to a lack of trust in it, usually resulting from a lack of understanding of the system

Question 4

Automation surprise

Answer 4

Unexpected behaviour of the automated system due to a lack of action, knowledge, or transparency.

LOSA, out of the loop

Question 5

Automation transparency

Answer 5

The ability of the system to clearly convey information of the status/actions of the system

Question 6

Automation as a decision making aid

Answer 6

There are several automated systems that aid pilots in situational awareness and decision making, one of the most clear is TAS/GPWS.

2 types of errors can occur when responding to these alerts/advisories from the AP

Omission - not doing something that should be done, not responding to the alert
Commission - doing something but doing it wrong or an inadequate amount, following the AP advice even though it is incorrect

Question 7

Airbus vs boeing

Answer 7

Airbus - “hard” limits, automation should maintain the aircraft within its flight envelope and not work against the operator inputs unless absolutely necessary for safety

Boeing - “soft” limits, pilot has the final authority for the operation of the aircraft and the automation should be used only as a tool to aid and not replace the pilot

Question 8

Pilot as pilot/pilot as manager

Answer 8

Pilot as pilot (boeing) - conventional role as pilot, pilot actively engaged in flight control and stands above automation, having the final authority over the aircraft. Being actively engaged results in better performance in emergency situations, however the higher workload reduce the ability to complete complex tasks and reduce effeciency/safety margins

Pilot as manager (airbus) - pilot shares responsibility of flight management with the automation, most tasks executed by AP and monitored by crew. Pilot now has greater bandwidth to manage flight, however become less engaged with the flying process.

Question 9

Is automation good or bad?

Answer 9

Overall it is good (imo) but has its challenges

• Older pilots may struggle to adapt to new systems/understand them fully
• Younger pilots may have increasing reliance on automation and struggle to maintain proficiency

Question 10

Improving automation safety

Answer 10

Pilot led design process
SOPs
Knowledge of automation systems
Scenario based training
Data verification/cross checking
Maintenance of PM skills
Maintenance of PF skills (manual)