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

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

Automation- still?• But…

• Is the word ‘automation’ really helping us?

• Or human centred automation for that matter?

Automation in ATC(M) is not new

Automation in ATM

Auto

mati

onAu

tom

ation

‘The

ory’

& R

esea

rch

findi

ngs

Radar

Code Callsignconversion

Secondary Radar – Mode A/C OLDI

Labelled displaysMODE S

MODE S DAPSStanding agreements

FDP

RDP

MTCD/TPCPDLCAMAN

IRVR

EFD

1951

STCA

1960 1980 20001970 20101990

MTCA

Monopulse SSR

The ‘Fitts’ List

‘Ironies of Auomation’

Brittle systems

Cognitive Work

Clumsy automationMode awareness

Automation as a Team player

AutomationSurprises Data

Overload

Joint Cognitivesystems

‘Work”

Levels of automation

Co-agency

Resilience

Complex systems

Laws of cognitive work

Function allocation

HIPS

PHARE

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

Dividing the work – creates more workTemporal 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)

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?

Ways of thinking about automation – Billings types of automation/HCA

Slide 12

Type Flight deck ATMInformation ✓ ✓

Control ✓ ✗

Management ✓ ✗

Feigh’s Laws of cognitive work1. Each agent must be allocated functions it is

capable of performing2. Each agent should be capable of performing its

collective functions3. The function allocation must be realisable with

reasonable teamwork4. The function allocation must support the

dynamics of the work5. The function allocation should be the results of

deliberate design decisions

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

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!