A sociotechnical model of the flight crew task

Area of Science:

• Aviation Human Factors
• Sociotechnical Systems Engineering
• Cognitive Systems Engineering

Background:

• Current Flight Crew task models offer a limited, "local" perspective on performance.
• A need exists for a more comprehensive understanding of Flight Crew activities within the broader operational context.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop an advanced sociotechnical model of Flight Crew task performance.
• To transition from local task descriptions to a process-centric explanation of Flight Crew activities.
• To illuminate the intricate role of procedures in commercial aviation operations.

Main Methods:

• Employed process mapping workshops, interviews, and direct observations.
• Engaged with pilots and flight operations personnel across five airlines.
• Conducted research as part of the Human Integration into the Lifecycle of Aviation Systems (HILAS) project.

Main Results:

• The functional logic of operational processes defines Flight Crew task requirements and workflows.
• Flight Crews manage varying levels of operational and environmental complexity based on flight context.
• Flight Crews serve as a crucial coordinating interface between human agents in active flight operations and other interfacing processes.

Conclusions:

• Presents a novel sociotechnical model for Flight Crew tasks, emphasizing a process-centric approach over local explanations.
• Identifies specific requirements for pilot support tools, procedure design, performance evaluation, and crew resource management (CRM) training.
• Provides a framework for assessing future operational concepts, technology requirements, and validating cockpit technologies.