How will the flight operations role be changed in the future?

[fltopsdani]

Hi Guys,

Normal topics for discussion in our forums are positions available, interview techniques, salaries, and other similar in house matters. However, I would like us to discuss today how our roles in the flight operations department might change in the future. Is it possible, for example that computers will completely take over the present roles of the flight operations department, at least as far as normal day to day operations are concerned?

New and increasingly sophisticated software is released each year by companies such as Jeppesen and Lockheed Martin. This software is more precise, more accurate and has more features.

It is likely that the volume of air traffic will increase in future years, but it is equally possible that because of the new technologies, companies will decrease the number of staff in flight operations.

I would like to have your opinions on these matters. I think that it is a subject of interest to all of us. :ok:

See you

[Epsilon minus]

As long as aircraft are flown by human beings, carry human beings. As long as the weather remains predictably unpredictable. As long gound staff will screw up your turnaround, drive into your plane with an FMC. As long as pilots memory is falible and forget how to do a load sheet, try to land at the wrong airport, cant compute the right TOF or engine and bug speeds. As long as fuel remains a very expensive commodity and the flight is on a re-dispatch or DPP and the destination airfield closes because a C150 has blocked the runway. As long as parts of your aircraft fail in flight and compromise the continued operation to the destination. As long as the FOD has a hole in his ar$e. You will need a human to control the show.
IT, as in aircraft, serves to compliment and augment human decision making and removes (not all the time - crap in = crap out) the human cock up element; it cannot replace the human; yet.
Now wouldn't it be nice for all of you if this talent requirement was recognised by the JAA :)

[Opssys]

Introducing sophisticated systems which are reliable, feature rich and are able to manage routine tasks (but alert when a problem occurs) and have decision support tools, into Operations can reduce on duty staffing (5 to 2 in one documented case - a gross saving of 15 Heads - which once increased Operation Support was provided went down to 12).

But. The Systems can only handle 'what they know' and what is within their parameters. The result is twofold.

a) The Duty Staff MUST be highly skilled professionals.

b) To maintain accurate data and decision support rules in the System(s) there has to be a Professional and skilled Operations Support Section.

Another effect is that the in-company pool of Operations Staff is now small.
As long as no one leaves, or is promoted, this doesn't matter. But unless the Company has a well designed training and development programme which is kept up to date, then the departure of one staff member (especially if resourcing is already at minimum in the control centre eg. 4 per shift line instead of 5) can be a major issue.

Finally the IT Support and infra-structure MUST be geared ensure the Mission and Business Systems are a the 99.99% Availability level. This doesn't mean a staff increase (akthough it can), but a change in attitude and business processes.

DIH