3rd ALIAS Conference Presentation 5-6 October 2015

2. The IFATCA perspective on
the future of ATM
(Anthony Smoker, IFATCA)

3. • A look at automation over time
• What the view from the ‘sector’ is
• A view of the future

4. Automation- still?
• But…
• Is the word ‘automation’ really helping us?
• Or human centred automation for that
matter?

5. Automation in ATC(M) is not new

6. Automation in ATM
Automation
Automation
‘Theory’&Research
findings
Radar
Code Callsign
conversion
Secondary
Radar – Mode A/C OLDI
Labelled displays
MODE S
MODE S DAPS
Standing agreements
FDP
RDP
MTCD/TP
CPDLCAMAN
IRVR
EFD
1951
STCA
1960 1980 20001970 20101990
MTCA
Monopulse
SSR
The ‘Fitts’
List
‘Ironies of
Auomation’
Brittle systems
Cognitive Work
Clumsy automation
Mode awareness
Automation as a
Team player
Automation
Surprises Data
Overload
Joint Cognitive
systems
‘Work”
Levels of automation
Co-agency
Resilience
Complex systems
Laws of cognitive
work
Function allocation
HIPS
PHARE

7. Work
• Experience with
automation has shown
that:
• The nature of work
changes
• Blurred responsibilities
and double binds
• New Complexities
• Less transparent
interactions
• An increase in taskload

8. Dividing the work – creates more work
Temporal Function Pilot Automation
Control Vertical Profile
Modify CDU Pages
Reduce Airspeed for Late Descent
Confirm Target Altitude
Confirm Target Speed
Manage Waypoint Progress
Control Waypoints
Modify CDU Pages
Monitor Waypoint Progress
Confirm Active Waypoint
Monitor Dist Active Waypoint
Calculate Dist Current Waypoint
Evaluate Flight Phase
Manage Waypoint Progress
Direct To Waypoint
Control Communication
With ATC
Respond Handoff
Confirm Data Communication
Receive Altitude Clearance
Receive ILS Clearance
Receive Waypoint Clearance
Control Heading Monitor Heading Trends Update Lateral Control
Control Vertical Speed
Monitor Altitude
Monitor Vertical Deviation
Adjust Speed Control
Update Pitch Control
Evaluate Vertical Mode
Evaluate VNAV Mode Transition
Evaluate Alt Restriction Mode
Altitude Reminder
Control Airspeed Monitor Descent Airspeed
Update Thrust Control
Calculate Speed Deviation
Control Aircraft
Configuration
Deploy Flap
Deploy Gear
Deploy Speed Brake
Retract Speed Brake
Confirm Configuration Change
Control Aircraft
Information
Verify TOD Location
Verify Crossing Restriction
Control Operating
Procedures
Perform Approach Briefing
Perform Approach Checklist
Perform Landing Checklist
Control Flight Deck
Components
Turn off Altitude Alert
Respond to Drag Required
Temporal Function Pilot Automation
Control Vertical Profile
Monitor Altitude
Reduce Airspeed for Late Descent
Control Waypoints
Manage Waypoint Progress
Direct To Waypoint
Calculate Dist Current
Waypoint
Evaluate Flight Phase
Control Communication
With ATC
Receive Altitude Clearance
Receive ILS Clearance
Receive Waypoint Clearance
Respond Handoff
Request Clearance
Control Heading
Dial Heading Selector
Push Heading Selector
Monitor Heading Trends
Update Lateral Control
Control Vertical Speed
Dial Altitude Selector
Dial VS Selector
Push Alt Hold Switch
Push FLCH Switch
Push Vertical NAV Switch
Push Vertical Speed Switch
Monitor Green Arc
Update Pitch Control
Evaluate Vertical Mode
Evaluate Alt Restriction
Mode
Altitude Reminder
Control Airspeed
Dial Speed Selector
Push Speed Switch
Monitor Descent Airspeed
Update Thrust Control
Calculate Speed Deviation
Control Aircraft
Configuration
Deploy Flap
Deploy Gear
Deploy Speed Brake
Retract Speed Brake
Confirm Configuration Change
Control Aircraft
Information
Verify TOD Location
Verify Crossing Restriction
Control Operating
Procedures
Perform Approach Briefing
Perform Approach Checklist
Perform Landing Checklist
Control Flight deck
Components
Turn off Altitude Alert
Respond to Drag Required
Autoflight with Datalink of ATC Clearances (FA1) Pilot Sets MCP Targets (FA4)

9. The legacy of the past informing the
future?
The techno centric view versus the human
centered view versus some other view of?
Human-system integration?
Joint cognitive systems
Co-agent systems?

12. Ways of thinking about automation –
Billings types of automation/HCA
Slide 12
Type Flight deck ATM
Information ✓ ✓
Control ✓ ✗
Management ✓ ✗

13. Feigh’s Laws of cognitive work
1. Each agent must be allocated functions it is
capable of performing
2. Each agent should be capable of performing its
collective functions
3. The function allocation must be realisable with
reasonable teamwork
4. The function allocation must support the
dynamics of the work
5. The function allocation should be the results of
deliberate design decisions

14. The future?
• There are examples of good and less than
good human-system integration.
– Do we understand why they are so?
• What is the work – the cognitive work of the
ATCO or pilot in the future?
– IFATCA argues that we do not know
• The ATCO will be there in some way
– But the work and function/role will differ

15. Automation – it is nothing new!
• In 1804, Frederick Jacquard
introduced automation into loom
weaving
• By using punched cards for complex
weaved patterns, this negated the
need for the human to produce
these
• Soon, ‘automation induced
complacency’ was identified, as the
human was not an effective at
intervening to correct the
automated system
• Incentives were used to ensure that
the human was effective – fines,
termination of employment
It was very just!