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Dec 2006

Computer to improve autopilot-pilot interaction

      Washington: A team of researchers from the University of Bath have developed a prototype flight computer which will improve the interaction between an aircraft's autopilot and the pilot. Professor Peter Johnson and Rachid Hourizi, the two researchers, have tested that misunderstandings arise mostly as a result of restricted interaction and low-level communication style of the autopilot rather than human error on the part of the pilot. In the current generation of computerised cockpits, the autopilot only tells the pilot what the immediate action being undertaken is (for example, 'the plane is flying at 10,000 feet'). However, the more explicit details, that is, what actions are going to be taken next and the objective of a particular manoeuvre, are all calculated by the pilot and this results in moments of confusion and very rarely, leads to an accident. However, under the new technology developed by the two, the software interface gives the autopilot more of the calculation work to do. "This makes the interaction between the autopilot and pilot more explicit, and this, in turn reduces the chance of mistakes being made. It also frees up more time for the pilot to monitor situations. The pilot continues to look after the high level decisions such as ensuring the plane is on course," said Prof. Johnson. "The interface is based on the communication procedures used in a number of safety critical domains from fire fighting to military operations where the current situation, action to be taken and objectives are explicitly stated. Our new system brings the interaction between the autopilot and pilot onto a more robust level," added Rachid Hourizi. The researchers have presented their results to companies and organisations such as Airbus, Qinetiq and BAE Systems and believe the system could be incorporated into active autopilots within a decade.
-Dec 16, 2006