Flight Deck Design Flashcards
34.56.2/46.56.2 The basic principles of control, display, and workspace design (ergonomics)
Ergonomics is concerned with the understanding of the interaction between human and other elements of a system.
Ergonomics is concerned with the ‘fit’ between flight crew and their flight deck or of facilitating the interface between the pilots and the aircraft controls and instrumentation.
34.56.4/46.56.4 The importance of the following in flight deck design:
Reach
Comfort
Posture
Lighting
(a) reach - Pilot should be able to reach controls without moving
- (b) comfort - Long periods of sitting
- (c) posture - Curvature of the spine needs to be correct
- (d) lighting - levels Need to be adjustable for both day and night flying
34.56.6 Define biomechanics
Is the study of the mechanical structure and movement of different parts of the human body
34.56.8 Define anthropometry
Is the measurement of the human body and defines physical measures of a person’s size, form, and functional capacities
34.56.10/46.56.6 Distinguish between biometrics, biomechanics and anthropometry
Biometrics refers to the identification of humans by their individual characteristics or traits.
34.56.12/46.56.8 Applications of biomechanics in the design of flight decks
Since it is necessary for pilots to be seated, often for long periods of time, in a cramped space it is most that the seat should be comfortable.
Pilots should also be able to comfortably reach all controls/switches without having to move/reach.
34.56.14/46.56.10 The relevance of anthropometry in the design of flight decks
Pilots come in all shapes and sizes so it would be impossible to design a cockpit perfect for everyone.
•The average size pilot has been calculated from statistics of height and reach and therefore cockpits are designed to accommodate a sensible percentage of the population.
34.56.16/46.56.12 The effects of a poorly designed cockpit on pilot performance
This can cause a lot of fatigue on the pilot as they may have to move around a lot to reach the required control/switch.
They may also have to move their head to see a switch or control and this could be distracting especially during a critical phase of flight
34.56.18/46.56.14 The importance of eye datum or eye design position
Available seat adjustment should provide the pilot with an adequate view of controls, instrumentation, and the outside world with minimal head movement.
- Aircraft manufacturers therefore, must design their cockpits around a design eye position and will construct the window position and place the instrument panels accordingly
- In the Boeing 767 sitting just 25mm low will cause the pilot to lose 40m ground vision on final approach.
34.56.20/46.56.16 The problems associated with windshield design and visibility
The size and shape of cockpit windows is determined by aerodynamic and weight considerations.
- The slope and curvature of aircraft windshields that are designed for high speed flight can cause visual distortion.
- Larger windows require thicker glass with stronger frames, therefore a compromise is needed between excessive weight and acceptable visibility.
34.56.22/46.56.18 The advantages and disadvantages of working in an automated cockpit
Autopilot can fly the aircraft accurately and efficiently
- Reduces load on pilot and allows multi tasking
- Pilots can become over reliant and bored
- Require constant monitoring
34.56.24/46.56.20 The effects of advanced cockpit automation including
Failure to monitor Boredom and complacency Loss of proficiency Job satisfaction Crew Coordination Problems associated with equipment failure
(a) failure to monitor – The pilot needs to be certain which mode the autopilot is operating in as this can directly effect the vertical and horizontal navigation and flight path of the aircraft.
- (b) boredom and complacency – This can lead to a loss of situational and system awareness. Humans are likely to become so confident in the auto systems that they become less vigilant
- (c) loss of proficiency – because the computer spends most of the time flying the aircraft
d) job satisfaction – Loss of the pilot’s feeling of importance, the perceived loss in the value of professional skills, and the absence of feedback about performance can lead to a loss of motivation and job satisfaction
- (e) crew coordination – Can produce a redistribution of authority from the captain to the first officer. This is a product of some first officers in CDU data entry compared to that of possibly less tech savvy captains.
- (f) problems associated with equipment failure – Could come as a surprise – will increase workload
34.56.26/46.56.22 The concept of mode awareness in setting up and operating automated systems
The pilot flying will call the mode change, the pilot monitoring will observe the change and call out any unexpected changes.
- When setting up the FMC any changes should be confirmed by the PM before the change is executed.
- VERIFY – EXECUTE
34.56.28/46.56.24 Elements of coping behavior associated with automatic cockpits (automation)
Automation should be used when it can perform better than humans or where the task is so repetitive that human performance would fall due to loss of interest.
•Automation should not be used to perform functions that humans perform well, consequently, there is a need for flexibility in automated cockpit design to ensure that functions are properly shared between man and machine.
34.58.2/46.58.2 The importance of the following in control design
(A)size (B) shape/recognition (C) location (D) layout and the uniformity of spatial arrangement (E) direction of movement
(A) sized appropriately
(B) distinctive, reducing possibility of inadvertent action.
(C) more frequently used more conveniently located it should be
(D) number of switches or controls must be operated sequential then they should be laid in sequence
(E) control movement should be compatible with required effect (roll left, move control column left)
