FAA Discovers That Commercial Pilots Suck at Manually Flying Planes

[alberttky 0]

Excited about flying home for Thanksgiving to see your family and friends' shining faces? Well, you won't be after reading this! Because according to a soon-to-be released study commissioned by the FAA, if it weren't for automated systems, our pilots would suck at flying—bad.

That doesn't mean automation is evil, though. In fact, over the past few decades, automated flying systems have been a huge part of what makes flying so safe. However, because plane automation has proved so dependable, it's also making our pilots lazy. The Wall Street Journalexplains:

 

The study found that some pilots "lack sufficient or in-depth knowledge and skills" to properly control their plane's trajectory, partly because "current training methods, training devices and the time allotted for training" may be inadequate to fully master advanced automated systems.

By examining data from over 9,000 commercial flights world-wide, the FAA found that about two-thirds of the involved pilots either made mistakes using flight computers or simply had significant difficulty manually flying planes in general. And not only are these automation-reliant pilots a problem, they're actually the biggest threat to airliner safety world-wide,according to the study. The WSJ notes:

 

The results can range from degraded manual-flying skills to poor decision-making to possible erosion of confidence among some aviators when automation abruptly malfunctions or disconnects during an emergency.

The FAA's study wasn't all bad news. Observers were able to determine that, in the vast majority of cases, pilots were able to find and fix any automation errors before they could become serious problems. It's just in those cases in which serious problems did arise, the pilots were used to watching—not proactively "hand flying."

Fortunately, the agency's meticulously collected findings—detailed in the 277-page report compiled by a team of industry, labor, academic, and government officials—have already spurred some action, specifically with 18 total recommendations in the form of new FAA rules. Among other changes, the report calls for more opportunities for pilots to "refine" manual flying skills as well as cockpit designs that are "more understandable from the flightcrew's perspective." So thankfully, it seems that every aspect of flying experience—both the pilot's actions and the design of the plane itself—is being held accountable.

The FAA will be discussing the necessary next steps on Thursday, Nov 28 at a summit with the industry's leaders, but of course, we won't be seeing the residual effects of these measures for some time. Still, while it's reassuring to know that the FAA is fully aware of the problem and looking to fix it, we can't help but wish they could have waited to tell us until after the holidays.

http://gizmodo.com/faa-discovers-that-commercial-pilots-suck-at-manually-f-1466929308

[flee 5]

I wonder how many pilots under 30 are able to land a B744 in the old Kai Tak airport in HKG.

[BC Tam 2]

I wonder how many pilots under 30 are able to land a B744 in the old Kai Tak airport in HKG.

I sure hope nobody tries that nowadays, regardless of age

[Lock SH 0]

I wonder how many pilots under 30 are able to land a B744 in the old Kai Tak airport in HKG.

 

Those days, some airlines may prohibit that practice or made it as CAPT's landing only. Whereas, there was no restriction to CX pilot, be it capt or FO.

 

There are few other airports that possess similar routes/pattern during approach to land such as 'Canarsie Approach' for VOR rwy 13L/R JFK and 'LDA' for rwy 22 and 23 HND (Haneda).

 

A Non-precision approach is always challenging, be it in Kai Tak or BKI, especially to someone who does not fly regularly to that destination.

 

 

[Kee Hooi Yen 0]

It is like driving a car to a new place with GPS navigator. Often I couldn't return to the same place again without the assist of navigator

[Aaron Goh 1]

I wonder how many pilots under 30 are able to land a B744 in the old Kai Tak airport in HKG.

How about how many over 30 able to land jumbo at kai tak

[KK Lee 5]

Just like most if not all car drivers after passing driving test in manual gear car, hardly drive manual gear car if at all. Hence proficiency in manual gear is relatively poor.

[JingKai Seah 0]

Just like most if not all car drivers after passing driving test in manual gear car, hardly drive manual gear car if at all. Hence proficiency in manual gear is relatively poor.

Im still driving manual right now.. hence able to drive both manual + auto at the moment~

[alberttky 0]

Pilots need more training, less dependance on automation, expected report says

 

(CBS News) The FAA is expected to release a new report this week that finds commercial airline pilots need more training and rely too much on automation.

Pilot error is suspected in three high-profile crashes in the last several years; the Air France disaster in 2009, the Asiana crash landing at San Francisco airport in July and an accident in Russia just this week, where 50 people died when the jet lost speed and plunged to the ground in a nose dive.

CBS News aviation and safety expert Captain Chesley "Sully" Sullenberger told the "CBS This Morning" co-hosts that this is a "growing concern worldwide."

"Just last week, I had a meeting with Transportation Secretary Anthony Fox - the first question he asked me was about automation," said Sullenberger. "This report is a wake-up call for the industry. It's an indictment of the inadequacies of pilot training in many areas."

Sullenberger told the co-hosts that currently, the airlines "only provide the FAA mandated amount" of training and that it is "not enough."

"The pilots are also not getting enough in-depth training about the increasingly complex technology and automation in our cockpits," he said. "Instead, they get a more fundamental understanding on their own through on-the-job training. They have to pick up the more in-depth knowledge over a period of time."

He said that it's also important to recognize that pilots do not get enough "manual flying practice."

Sullenberger recommended that there be more training and less dependence on automation because he said the report specifically explains that "pilots have to not only have the skill, but the confidence and realistic skills to be able to quickly and effectively intervene when automation goes wrong."

Also, Sullenberger talked about a new FAA policy that focuses on pilot fatigue and plans to test overweight pilots. He said that this is important because there is a connection between certain neck sizes, BMIs and sleep concerns.

"Sleep issues are very important to pilots and air traffic controllers," Sullenberger said. "Undiagnosed, untreated, they can lead to a decrease in performance and alertness."

http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-505263_162-57613105/pilots-need-more-training-less-dependance-on-automation-expected-report-says/?tag=socsh

[Matt hall 0]

.......well they are thinking about introducing pilotless aircraft for the masses?!?!!

[BC Tam 2]

It is like driving a car to a new place with GPS navigator. Often I couldn't return to the same place again without the assist of navigator

I suspect that pilot at Colonel James Jabara airport, Kansas is sharing very similar sentiment !!

[Arthur Van Straten 0]

@ flee post # 2 and Aaron Goh, post # 6

 

Landed at the old Kai Tak Airport in HKG many times at age below 30 as well at age above 30 in DC 10 and 747's on RWY 13.

The opposite RWY was also interesting when ATC changed runway in use.

Then they would vector you all over the water at 500 ft cause of traffic above you tiil they lined you up with 31. Spectacular scenery.

As the saying goes, been there, done that and have the t shirt.

 

@ BC Tam post # 11.

 

The pilot(s) which you are referring to where not the first ones nor will they be the last ones.

For education and entertainment purposes, go here:

 

http://www.thirdamendment.com/wrongway.html

 

Cheers

A.

[BC Tam 2]

Well yes, I was going to quote from the philosopher chap who goes by name of Murphy, but as you had already referenced him in the other thread .......