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Output Number
R19980024
Approval Date
Published Date Time
Recommendation type
Recommendation
Mode
Aviation
Date released
Background Text

SUBJECT



The Advanced Technology Aircraft Survey - Phase Two





OBJECTIVES



The objectives of the phase 2 study were to:



Determine specific types of human/system interface problems that
are occurring on advanced aircraft in service within the
Asia-Pacific region;

Collect information on flight-deck errors;

Assess the severity of errors;

Identify design-induced errors; and

Identify areas where pilots inappropriately manipulate automated
systems.





SCOPE



The report dealt with information supplied by respondents to the
Advanced Technology Aircraft Safety Survey and provided a detailed
analysis of the answers to both the 'open' and 'closed'
questions.



The accompanying analysis did not include the responses to closed
questions by Second Officers or McDonnell Douglas pilots due to
their disproportionately low representation within the sample.
However, all written comments made by all respondents have been
included and analysed.



The survey covers a range of technologies from the early 1980s to
the present. However, the survey sought pilots' perceptions of the
technology that they were using. Despite any differences in
technology, the Bureau believes that the survey results are
applicable to aviation in the Asia Pacific region.





SUMMARY OF RECOMMENDATIONS



Introduction



The following recommendations are organised according to their
corresponding chapter. Where applicable recommendations have been
address to:



Airservices Australia;



The Civil Aviation Safety Authority (Australia);



Aircraft design authorities; and



Airlines within the Asia-Pacific region.



However, this does not restrict the applicability of the
recommendation to the above mentioned agencies. BASI encourages
foreign agencies, both government and civil, to adopt all, or any,
of the following recommendations in the interests of improving
aviation safety throughout the international aviation
industry.



The objectives of this project are largely proactive. Our task has
been to determine specific errors and assess the severity of those
errors. Consequently some of the following recommendations are
phrased in a proactive sense. Regulatory authorities, aircraft
manufacturers and airline operators are now required to do the
same, basing their response on the evidence provided by 1268
pilots, many of whom are line pilots with considerable experience.
Our concern is that appropriate mechanisms and mindset are not yet
in place to assess proactive recommendations. This is the greatest
challenge currently before the aviation industry.



List of Relevant Recommendations by Report Chapter:



1. Air Traffic Control



R980024 to Airservices Australia

R980025 to the Civil Aviation Safety Authority

R980026 to airline operators within the Asia-Pacific Region



2. Automation



R980027 to airline operators within the Asia-Pacific Region



3. Crew Resource Management



R980028 to airline operators within the Asia-Pacific Region



4. Flying Skills



R980029 to the Civil Aviation Safety Authority



5. General



R980030 to The Civil Aviation Safety Authority

R980031 to airline operators within the Asia-Pacific Region

R980032 to design authorities and airline operators within the
Asia-Pacific Region



6. Modes



R980033 to aircraft design authorities

R980034 to airline operators within the Asia-Pacific Region

R980035 to the Civil Aviation Safety Authority



7. Situational Awareness



R980036 to airline operators within the Asia-Pacific Region



8. System design



R980037 to airline operators within the Asia-Pacific Region

R980038 to aircraft design authorities





9. Training



R980039 to the Civil Aviation Safety Authority

R980040 to airline operators within the Asia-Pacific Region

The Bureau of Air Safety Investigation recommends that
Airservices Australia:



Review their airways and procedures design philosophies to:



(a) ensure that STAR, SID and airways design is compatible with
aircraft FMS programs;



(b) allow a +/- 10 kt range with respect to descent speed below
10,000 ft to allow for the tolerances of FMS-equipped aircraft,
with the aim of reducing the requirement for system
work-arounds;



(c) provide ATC personnel with the information on the aerodynamic
characteristics of advanced technology aircraft; and



(d) seek the co-operation of airline operators for a program of
advanced technologies flight deck observation for all ATC personnel
during both their initial and recurrent training.

Organisation Response
Date Received
Organisation
AirServices Australia
Response Text

RE: BASI Interim Report on the Review of Advanced Technology
Aircraft Phase 2 - Air Safety Recommendation R19980024

I refer to the above report and Recommendation R1 9980024 on
Airservices Australia. The following is provided in response:

R19980024

"The Bureau of Air Safety Investigation recommends that
Airservices Australia review their airways procedures design
philosophies to:

(a) ensure that STAR, SID and airways design is compatible with
aircraft FMS programs."

ACCEPTED

Airservices Australia currently adheres to the ICAO Doc 8168
Standards and Recommended Practices for developing STAR and SID
procedures and takes into consideration FMS programs.

Airservices has an agreement with Australian domestic airlines
to flight test its STAR and SID procedures in the airline flight
simulators prior to introduction thereby ensuring compatibility
with on board systems and procedures.

"(b) allow a +/- 10 kt range with respect to descent speed below
10, 000 ft to allow for the tolerances of FMS-equipped aircraft,
with the aim of reducing the requirement for system
work-arounds."

ACCEPTED

AIP ENR 1. 1 -12 states " A speed variation of more than +/- 10
kt or +/- MO.025 must be advised to ATC." This implies that the
recommended speed variation +/- 10 kt is already acceptable and no
change is required.

"(c) provide ATC personnel with information on the aerodynamic
characteristics of advanced technology aircraft."

ACCEPTED

Airservices Australia is currently developing an aircraft
performance training package for delivery to air traffic services
staff. This package will include information on a range of aircraft
encountered in Australian airspace including advanced technology
types.

"(d) seek the cooperation of airline operators for a program of
advanced technologies flight deck observation for all ATC personnel
during their initial and recurrent training."

ACCEPTED

Airservices Australia is currently negotiating with at least one
of its major airline customers to re-establish a program of mutual
exchange and familiarisation not only for air traffic controllers
on aircraft but also for pilots in the ATC Awareness Course and on
live ATC console familiarisation visits.

Air traffic controllers and pilots will be encouraged to attend
these familiarisation visits and to avail themselves of the
opportunities to interface with their counterparts in the aviation
industry.