Toronto AIAA Loss of Control Sessions

[PEI_3721]

A37575, “… re-inventing the wheel …”
Yes, but perhaps additional training would add impetus to a lethargic operation, or a system in the aircraft could strengthen a last line of defence.
Both aspects might assume that standards of training and/experience are changing, but this could be the result of weaker training / less opportunity etc; but as an alternative consider that the big picture has changed.

Have aircraft operations changed to the extent that the human cannot be expected to cope with all situations, be these aircraft system related (FBW/trim) or due to a complex operating environment (e.g. wake turb) - or both, its the combination which is the problem.
One solution is not to worry what causes the problem, but instead provide a line of defence.
Modern display systems should be able to aid decision making and encourage appropriate behaviour (assessing the situation and choosing the correct course of action), EGPWS/ACAS/PWS would be good examples.
An earlier (strategic) defence is to provide warning or protection against the situation; this probably entails more flight envelope limiting / auto recovery and increasing systems automation. This may be an attractive way forward to the operator, particularly if it saves training costs.

The alternative is to understand why the industry is facing these problems.
I fear that this is very difficult, primarily because it involves the human – a complex and occasionally irrational entity, and also a complex and often rapidly changing operating environment. Pilot employment cycles, management tenure, etc is often shorter that 3 years; regulatory change may take 3 to 5 years and any indication of the change’s effectiveness a further 3 years. And of course change can induce new, unexpected problems; thus the regulatory aspects develop slowly and usually retrospectively.

What the industry requires is some proactive thinking and activity associated with ‘reinventing the wheel’ or similar, and people like Don Bateman who have the engineering skills and tenacity to get things done.

Re links:
The following might provide an indication of some of presenters’ views.
2009 ER FTSW - Vienna, Austria see Carbaugh (17 Mb download)
http://halldale.com/files/halldale/W...edings/Cox.zip (40MB !)
http://www.halldalemedia.co.uk/WATS/PROC/Cox.pptx
http://www.scribd.com/doc/35550326/Aware-3 Download the ‘pps’ version for animation and sound.