Human Factors Considerations for Rotorcraft

Transcription

1 Human Factors Considerations for Rotorcraft Jon Jordan ASW-111 Flight Test Pilot AEA Rotorcraft Forum March 27,

2 Overview WHAT are Human Factors (HF) WHY do we care about Human Factors? HOW can HF compliance findings be made? WHEN should a HF evaluation be made? WHO can do the evaluation? RESOURCES New MG-20 Human Factors (HF) 2 2

3 WHAT are Human Factors? Human Factors engineering is the practice of designing products so the user can perform required use, operation, service, and supportive tasks with a minimum of stress and a maximum of efficiency. 3 3

4 WHY? Advances in technology and affordability of advanced avionics provide for the installation of sophisticated systems into rotorcraft. Poor system integration results on relying on the pilot to work around design issues. 4 4

5 WHY? (con t) Most accidents are attributed to Pilot Error - Errors due to excessive fatigue or concentration (unreasonable workload) - Data input errors keystrokes - Misunderstanding of automation - Ambiguous Caution/Warning or Status Messages - Inadequate RFM procedures - Detrimental effect of equipment malfunction 5 5

6 WHY? Because it s in the Regs Many 14 CFR Part 27/29 Regulations have Human Factors implications. Examples: Cockpit Controls (a) Located to provide convenient operation and to prevent confusion and inadvertent operation; and (b) Located and arranged with respect to the pilots' seats so that there is full and unrestricted movement of each control without interference from the cockpit structure or the pilot's clothing when pilots from 5'2'' to 6'0'' in height are seated. 6 6

7 WHY? (con t) Flight characteristics (b) Be able to maintain any required flight condition and make a smooth transition from any flight condition to any other flight condition without exceptional piloting skill, alertness, or strength, and without danger of exceeding the limit load factor under any operating condition probable for the type, including 7 7

8 New AC MG-20 A list of 14 CFR Part 27/29 regulations with HF implications can be found in the new Advisory Circular MG-20 Human Factors (HF) Provides guidance on methods of compliance to regulations with HF aspects 8 8

9 HOW to comply with HF? (1) Develop a system description with enough detail of the design, function, and operation of the system. (2) Describe the intended functions of the major pilot interfaces. (3) Drawings of cockpit layouts to evaluate arrangement of controls, displays, Field of View (primary and secondary), etc. (4) Define any automation logic. 9 9

10 HOW (con t) Certification Requirements. - Identify the regulations in the cert basis that have HF implications. - Define any new and novel items - Describe Method of Compliance - FHA and SSA Identify areas of the system that may be less tolerant to pilot error

11 HOW (con t) Sample HF Compliance Matrix: Regulatory Requirement Pilot compartment. For each pilot compartment - (a)the compartment and its equipment must allow each pilot to perform his duties without unreasonable concentration or fatigue; Compliance Documentation Report No

12 WHEN HF Evaluation EARLY in the design phase. Consider establishing Cockpit Integration Team or Cockpit Design Working Group. Review Cockpit design as needed

13 WHO? Flight Test Pilots - Multiple Avionics engineers System engineers Propulsion engineers (if applicable) HF Specialists FAA engineers 13 13

14 RESOURCES AC 27/29 MG-20 o Not a cook-book o Incorporates guidance from many sources o Contains a list of the Part 27 or 29 rules with HF or human performance aspects o Provides guidance on a means to show compliance on select regulations 14 14

15 RESOURCES (con t) New FAA Handbook on Human Factors resources Human Factors Considerations in the Design and Evaluation of Flight Deck Displays and Controls DOT-FAA-TC Human Factors Guide

16 RESOURCES (con t) GAMA Publication No. 10 AC 25-11A: Electronic Flight Deck Displays AC : Installed System and Equipment for Use by the Flight crew 16 16

17 Questions? 17 17

18 All Questions should be forwarded to: Clark Davenport