The Implementation Challenges of Immersive Technologies in Transportation Simulation

Innovation, effective management of change, and integrating human factor elements into flight operations control distinguishing features of the aviation sector. Immersive technologies (Augmented, Virtual, and Mixed Reality – Digital Twins technology) can be used in aviation training programs to provide an immersive and interactive learning experience for all aviation professionals. Adapting an aviation immersive technology environment in transportation simulation can allow the implementation of new training approaches in a safe and controlled environment without the risk of actual flight or equipment damage. Digital twins are used to create realistic flight simulations, allowing aviation ecosystem actors to practice their skills in various scenarios and conditions. This helps to improve safety and prepare aviation experts for unexpected events during actual flight. Another use for Augmented, Virtual, and Mixed Reality Simulation in aviation training programs is maintenance training. Moreover, Digital Twins can simulate maintenance procedures on aircraft and aviation systems, allowing SMEs to enhance their knowledge and practice their skills in a safe, cost-effective, and controlled environment. Purdue University School of Aviation and Transportation Technology (SATT) Ecosystems' Artificial Intelligence (AI) research roadmap aims to introduce digital twins in aviation training programs to simulate flight-airport operations and air traffic scenarios. Moreover, Purdue's Artificial Intelligence approach for Augmented, Virtual, and Mixed Reality Simulation / Digital Twins focuses on the potential to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of aviation training programs (CBTA globally) by providing a more realistic and immersive learning experience {lean process for training/certification, transition to AI – Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) environment}. Furthermore, this research focuses on implementing challenges and mitigating residual risk in the 'AI black box.' Results were analyzed and evaluated the Artificial Intelligence certification and learning assurance challenges under the Augmented, Virtual, and Mixed Reality Simulation – Digital Twins aspects

Artificial Intelligence in aviation decision making process.The transition from extended Minimum Crew Operations to Single Pilot Operations (SiPO)

Innovation, management of change, and human factors implementation in-flight operations portray the aviation industry. The International Air Transportation Authority (IATA) Technology Roadmap (IATA, 2019) and European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) Artificial Intelligence (A.I.) roadmap propose an outline and assessment of ongoing technology prospects, which change the aviation environment with the implementation of A.I. and introduction of extended Minimum Crew Operations (eMCO) and Single Pilot Operations (SiPO). Changes in the workload will affect human performance and the decision-making process. The research accepted the universally established definition in the A.I. approach of “any technology that appears to emulate the performance of a human” (EASA, 2020). A review of the existing literature on Direct Voice Inputs (DVI) applications structured A.I. aviation decision-making research themes in cockpit design and users’ perception - experience. Interviews with Subject Matter Experts (Human Factors analysts, A.I. analysts, airline managers, examiners, instructors, qualified pilots, pilots under training) and questionnaires (disseminated to a group of professional pilots and pilots under training) examined A.I. implementation in cockpit design and operations. Results were analyzed and evaluated the suitability and significant differences of e-MCO and SiPO under the decision-making aspect.Keywords: Artificial Intelligence (A.I.), Extended Minimum Crew Operations (e-MCO), Single Pilot Operations (SiPO), cockpit design, ergonomics, decision making

Safety differently: A case study in an Aviation Maintenance-Repair-Overhaul facility

This paper presents the findings from a ‘Safety Differently’ (SD) case study in aviation, and specifically in a maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) organisation in Southeast Asia. The goal of the case study was to apply a new method of safety intervention that is part of the Safety Differently toolkit and utilises a bottom-up approach. This research tested the extent to which these interventions could be embedded into a continuous improvement program in a highly controlled environment, namely an Aviation MRO. The interventions (called micro-experiments, ME) are considered as a flexible tool, which allows testing of process improvements in a safe to fail way, empowering the lower levels of the organisation, challenging safety related issues and revealing key areas in need of transformation. The ideas for the interventions considered in the case study were retrieved from interviews conducted with 50 mechanics, and include issues to address aviation safety and occupational health as well as quality. We elected to include all three categories in this study as the ME approach is applicable to all of these. This MRO case study showcases the benefits and limitations of the ME in aviation, revealing the conditions under which it may become useful. Future studies should further explore the role of complex and heavily controlled industries in similar bottom up approaches, so that interventions can become part of a continuous improvement plan

Evaluation of fighter pilots training

Introduction Fighter Aircraft Pilots Training mostly based on cause-and-effect approach. System-Theoretic Process Analysis (STPA). Could an analysis based on the STPA method reveal deficiencies in current fighter pilot training programs? Methodology Air Combat Maneuvers (ACM) mission Assumptions: Two aircraft, standard configuration.Pilots, trained and authorized.Aircraft are reliable, except the case of HUD failure during one or more Safety Constraint violations.Aircraft formation at training areaWider organisational factors not considered Application of STPA principle

An Exploratory Study into Resilience Engineering and the Applicability to the Private Jet Environment

Resilience Engineering (often abbreviated to resilience) has gained increasing prominence in the training and operating environment. According to the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), resilience is the ability of a crew member to recognize, absorb and adapt to disruptions (Malinge 2021). Private jet operations range from single pilot light jets owned and operated by one pilot to very sophisticated ultra-long-range jets. This study is focused primarily on the Fractional side of private jets. Fractional is a type of jet ownership that allows a corporation or very high net worth individual to buy a share of an aircraft. For the crews, the operation is high tempo with multiple sectors a day with many changes. Previous studies on resilience have focused on airline pilots and military pilots, in particular, how they handle abnormal situations. To date, there has been no known study on resilience conducted on private jet pilots operating in a high tempo environment. Therefore, this research was based around a mixed method online survey involving pilots who were new to the private jet environment compared to the behaviours of the experienced private jet pilots. Behaviours explored involve how work is done, technology use and the uptake of activity and mindfulness.</p

Using STPA in the evaluation of fighter pilots training programs

This paper presentshow the application of the STPAmethod might support the evaluationof fighter pilots training programs and trigger procedural and technological changes. We applied the STPA method by consideringthe safety constraintsdocumented in the Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) of a South European Air Forceand regard a flightof a two F-16 aircraft formation. In this context, we derivedthe control actions and feedback mechanisms that are available to the leader pilot during an Aircraft Combat Maneuver (ACM) mission, and we developed the control flow diagrambased on the aircraft manuals. We compared the results of each analysis step with the respectiveflight training program, which is based on a mixed skill and rule-based decision-making, and we examinedthe role of the feedback mechanismsduring multiple safety constraintsviolations. The analysis showed that: the flight training program under study does not structurally include cases of infringement of multiple safety constraints; the maintenance of some safety constraints are not supported by alerts, or rely on only one human sense; the existing procedures do not refer to the prioritization of pilot actions in cases ofviolation of multiple safety constraints; operationmanuals do not address the cases of possible human performance deterioration when simultaneous information from feedback mechanisms is received. The results demonstrated the benefits of the STPA method, the application of which uncovered various inadequacies in the flight training program studied, some of them related tothe F-16 cockpit ergonomics. The analysis lead to recommendations in regard to the amendment of the corresponding fighter pilots training program, and the conduction of further research regarding the aircraft –pilot interaction when multiple safety constraints are violated. The approach presented in this paper can be also followed for the (re)evaluation of flight training schemes in military, civil and general aviation, as wellby any human-machine interface intensive domai