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This paper describes the objectives, issues, and approach of the design and integration (D&I) element of the NASA High Speed Research (HSR) flight deck program. D&I is using a requirements-driven approach to address HSCT-specific and generic flight deck design issues. First, requirements, issues, and human-centered design principles were identified. Then separate research efforts developed and evaluated guidelines and concepts that addressed the relevant requirements and issues. The products are the guidelines, concepts, and data and rationale supporting them. D&I is also responsible for developing, documenting, and maintaining an overall baseline HSR flight deck configuration.

It is generally accepted that advanced automation has made commercial flight safer and more economical. Yet concern continues to be voiced about the pitfalls of advanced automation, with pilot issues such as the loss of situation awareness, complacency and workload extremes. It has been argued that as the complexity and amount of automation increase, and the levels of automation control and authority increase, it becomes more difficult for the flight crew to maintain awareness of what the automation is doing and will do. There is a greater requirement for coordination and management of goals, tasks, information and intentions between flight crew and automated systems. This paper describes part of a survey that was aimed at gathering pilot opinions about automation promises and concerns for different levels of automation. It was administered to 132 pilots of advanced automation commercial jet aircraft.

This paper provides an indepth examination of the concept of pilot situational awareness. A detailed definition of the concept is provided, examining both the components that make up situational awareness and its dynamic aspects. We then describe what we consider to be the benefits of enhanced situational awareness. These include: improved safety, reduced workload, enhanced pilot performance, expanded range of pilot operations, and improved decisionmaking. The question of measurement is next considered. Both the direct measurement of situational awareness and the measurement of pilot performance are addressed. The paper ends with a discussion of methods for enhancing situational awareness.

Pilot error is an increasingly critical issue for airframe manufacturers, the FAA, airlines, pilots, and the flying public. While pilot error captures the spotlight, “design error” often underlies pilot error. This paper discusses the differences between systematic (design or procedure induced) and random pilot error and the implications of these classes of error for the cockpit design process. It will be argued that systematic errors can be reduced with design and procedure guidelines based on a better understanding of human error. The danger of attempting to eliminate systematic pilot error through automation will be examined, and the automation-related topics of complacency and skill reduction will be discussed. The need to evaluate the potential for new kinds of errors with the introduction of new automated devices will also be discussed.