If any area of aviation could benefit from realistic and workable human
factors solutions, it’s the area of general aviation (GA) and the weekend pilot.
Many of the aircraft flow by the weekend pilot are older and do not have the
benefits of modern flight deck design. However, the demands on these pilots, as
far as maintaining radio contact with air traffic control and operating their
aircraft in crowded airspace has increased.
Air traffic control is generally speaking, less tolerant of the weekend
pilot, yet this type of GA pilot is expected to perform as expeditiously as the
pilot who flies for a living. Human factors research and design needs to be
applied to the weekend pilots operating environment with the same vigor as it is
applied to the rest of the aviation system. Some positive changes have been
made.
Visual charts or maps, which the weekend pilot uses to help navigate in
visual flight conditions, have become user friendly. High traffic areas are
color-coded for easy identification (and avoidance). Visual flight corridors,
where weekend pilots can navigate through high traffic areas and around busy
commercial airports, are also clearly marked for ease of use.
This type of map design has clear human factors design inputs. Graphics
(color and print) are quickly recognizable by the pilot to minimize the time the
pilot spends on information processing. Less cognitive resources the pilot has
to spend on chart recognition, the more mental resources the weekend pilot can
apply to flying the aircraft.
The weekend pilot can now purchase the Traffic Proximity Alert System (TPAS),
which uses microwave technology and voice alert notification for fewer than five
hundred dollars. Systems like the TPAS assist the pilot with situational
awareness, a sure benefit for the pilot who does not fly often. Standardizing
flight requirements and operating characteristics through the application of
human factors in all levels of flying is important. Safety of flight is
paramount. The less distractions the weekend pilot encounters during flight, the
safer we will all be.
