Complacency in the Age of Technology

Melissa N. Riley Ph.D., Tennessee State University

Presented during Poster Session - NTAS Presenters and ERAU-PhD Programs

Abstract

The advent of technology in the cockpit - GPS, glass cockpit, iPads, applications, synthetic vision, traffic avoidance, etc. has enhanced situational awareness and navigation in ways that are unparalleled in the history of powered flight. Within the past few decades, it could take hours for a general aviation pilot to plan a flight (depending on length and complexity) and their range was limited by the paper charts that were on hand. Today a pilot only needs a few seconds to plot a course on an application and they are on their way. However, the number of safety incursions by pilots unaware of closed airports, notice to airmen (NOTAMs), and related flight planning omissions are noticeably higher in recent years when operating around uncontrolled airports. Has the work of the computer allowed for complacency to enter the cockpit? This study will look at self-reported incidents and non-fatal and fatal accidents from 2005-2015 utilizing the Aviation Safety Reporting System (ASRA) and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) databases to see if these numbers have increased within the past 10 years. Aircraft that meet the criteria for a “glass cockpit” will be analyzed to see what role human factors in decision making played in the incident or accident. Additionally, an electronic instrument will be developed and placed online that will ask pilots questions related to flight planning and decision making based upon the advent of advanced avionics in the cockpit. If results are found that indicate that advanced technology in the cockpit is making pilots more complacent, then it may be possible for future research and planning to include adding awareness of such errors into the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) WINGS programs and publishing articles on the topics in popular flight magazines in an effort to reduce this type of human error.

 
Aug 16th, 8:00 AM Aug 16th, 10:00 AM

Complacency in the Age of Technology

Jim W. Henderson Administration & Welcome Center (Bldg. #602)

The advent of technology in the cockpit - GPS, glass cockpit, iPads, applications, synthetic vision, traffic avoidance, etc. has enhanced situational awareness and navigation in ways that are unparalleled in the history of powered flight. Within the past few decades, it could take hours for a general aviation pilot to plan a flight (depending on length and complexity) and their range was limited by the paper charts that were on hand. Today a pilot only needs a few seconds to plot a course on an application and they are on their way. However, the number of safety incursions by pilots unaware of closed airports, notice to airmen (NOTAMs), and related flight planning omissions are noticeably higher in recent years when operating around uncontrolled airports. Has the work of the computer allowed for complacency to enter the cockpit? This study will look at self-reported incidents and non-fatal and fatal accidents from 2005-2015 utilizing the Aviation Safety Reporting System (ASRA) and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) databases to see if these numbers have increased within the past 10 years. Aircraft that meet the criteria for a “glass cockpit” will be analyzed to see what role human factors in decision making played in the incident or accident. Additionally, an electronic instrument will be developed and placed online that will ask pilots questions related to flight planning and decision making based upon the advent of advanced avionics in the cockpit. If results are found that indicate that advanced technology in the cockpit is making pilots more complacent, then it may be possible for future research and planning to include adding awareness of such errors into the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) WINGS programs and publishing articles on the topics in popular flight magazines in an effort to reduce this type of human error.