Automation in the aviation industry has both advantages and disadvantages. Advantages include lower operational costs, reduced workload, fewer operational errors, and efficient synchronization of different systems (Campbell, & Bagshaw, 2008).
On the other hand, disadvantages include pilots’ complacency due to overdependence on automation, adverse influence on flying skills and knowledge, introduction of new errors, poor interaction between cabin crew and automated systems, and low levels of proficiency (Campbell, & Bagshaw, 2008). Even though automated systems increase the efficiency of operations in the aviation industry, automating the roles of first officers is a bad idea.
One of the disadvantages of this automation is reduced safety of passengers (Pasztor, 2013). This emanates from the pilot’s overdependence on automation, which creates room for errors. Automation encourages pilot complacency that is characterized by poor manual flying skills and reduced mastery of latest technologies.
For instance, in case of an emergency, a pilot might fail to intervene because of poor flying skills and insufficient knowledge regarding proper handling of emergency situations. Automation has eliminated the need for extensive training and mastery of advanced automated systems that are used in modern aircrafts (Pasztor, 2013). According to research, many accidents occur because during emergencies, many pilots panic and as a result make poor decisions that compromise the proper functioning of automated systems.
Another downside of automation is lack of synchronicity between human and machine interaction (Pasztor, 2013). This problem occurs in the form of inadequate understanding of the functioning of technological instruments, poor situational awareness, and incorrect commands (Campbell, & Bagshaw, 2008). Automation has reduced workload. However, it has not eliminated the role of humans fully because machines cannot perform certain activities that require constant input of specific commands.
For instant, first officers aid pilots in ensuring proper input of commands that change an aircraft’s altitude and mode of automation. Certain inputs could fail to align with automated operation modes thus causing non-routine happenings.
A major cause of non-routine occurrences is lack of adequate knowledge regarding the proper functioning of automated systems (Pasztor, 2013). In many cases of system malfunction, pilots get stuck due to lack of sufficient knowledge and skills required to solve such problems. In such instances, first officers play key roles in fixing system malfunctions.
Therefore, their role is indispensable. System malfunctions arise from the complexity of modern automated systems that require extended periods for complete mastery (Pasztor, 2013). That is a good enough reason for not automating the roles of the first officer. Complex systems make it difficult for pilots to detect errors and deal with them before they cause undesired incidents and accidents. The pilot needs the help of a first officer in order to avoid such mistakes.
Automating the tasks of the first officer is a bad idea because in case of a system anomaly, a single pilot might not have sufficient knowledge and skills to deal with the problem. Automated systems are very complicated to be handled by one person. Automation should be applied only to tasks that do not have great impact on the proper fiction of flight management systems.
The roles of a first officer are critical to the safety and proper operation of an aircraft. In case the pilot is not in a situation to carry out his duties, then the first officer takes over. It is easy for a pilot to lose awareness due to misdirected attention that could cause loss of system control (Pasztor, 2013).
Lack of system awareness could lead to delayed or lack intervention in the case of automates systems. The introduction of automated systems was aimed at reducing human errors. However, research has revealed that the systems introduced new types of errors. The roles of a first officer are very critical. Therefore, automating his roles is a bad idea.
References
Campbell, R. D., & Bagshaw, M. (2008). Human Performance and Limitations in Aviation. New York: John Wiley & Sons.
Pasztor, A. (2013). Pilots Rely much on Automation, Panel Says. Web.