Pilot Workload Annunciation for High-Workload Flight Scenarios
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current aviation systems face challenges with single-pilot operations due to human factors such as improper reaction to high workload, leading to potential accidents, as pilots may overlook critical indications or exhibit hazardous attitudes.
Innovation Solution
A system that objectively assesses pilot workload and provides automated annunciations to the pilot, off-duty pilots, and air traffic control, using predefined criteria to predict events and detect abnormal scenarios, thereby reducing the risk of human error.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If single-pilot operation is implemented to reduce crew costs, then operational efficiency is improved, but safety deteriorates due to human factors and high workload
Solution Approach 1:
An automated workload assessment system acts as an intermediary between the pilot and the aircraft systems. The system continuously monitors operational data, predicts future workload, and provides automated annunciations to alert the pilot of upcoming high-workload scenarios, thereby compensating for the reduced crew capacity while maintaining safety
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary assessment of pilot workload by analyzing current operational data and predicting future workload conditions before they occur. This allows the system to provide advance warning annunciations to the pilot, enabling proactive workload management before critical situations develop
2Adaptability or versatility
If pilot workload increases during complex operations, then operational capability is improved, but human error increases due to overload and hazardous attitudes
Solution Approach 1:
The system provides continuous feedback to the pilot about their workload status by monitoring operational data and issuing automated annunciations. This feedback loop allows the pilot to adjust their workload management strategies in real-time, preventing overload and reducing the risk of hazardous attitudes
Solution Approach 2:
The system predicts future workload conditions before they occur and provides advance warning annunciations to the pilot. This preliminary action allows the pilot to prepare mentally and physically for upcoming high-workload scenarios, reducing the likelihood of errors during critical operations
3Reliability
If automated workload assessment system is implemented, then safety is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The workload assessment system is designed to perform multiple functions: monitoring operational data, predicting future workload, generating annunciations, and providing feedback to the pilot. By consolidating these functions into a single integrated system, the patent reduces overall system complexity compared to having separate systems for each function
Solution Approach 2:
The system automatically assesses pilot workload and generates annunciations without requiring manual input or intervention from the pilot. This self-service capability reduces the operational burden on the pilot while maintaining safety, offsetting the increased system complexity through automation
Data Source
AI summary
A system to assess the current, or future workload of a pilot and automatically providing annunciation when needed to the pilot, as well as to resources that support the pilot. The system may automatically, and without pilot involvement, assess the workload for the pilot based on incoming events and abnormal scenarios. The predicted incoming events may be related to operation data, such as navigation information, weather, traffic avoidance, and so on. The system may also detect abnormal scenarios, such as engine warnings, fuel or other aircraft issues. The system may determine whether the predicted incoming events or the abnormal scenario satisfies one or more pre-defined criteria. Based on the event satisfying one or more criteria, the system may output an annunciation to either the pilot, resources that support the pilot, such as an additional pilot and air traffic control (ATC).