Advanced pilot workflow support using integrated mobile devices

Abstract: As automation of modern transport aircraft continuously increases the importance of information management as part of airline pilot tasks is rising. Today’s workflow of airline pilots is characterized by a variety of different information media which can increase the workload and contribute to errors. With the goal of supporting daily pilot task workflow and reducing workload, an approach to pilot assistance using a mobile device solution is provided. For this, the general workflow of a European airline transport pilot is identified and analyzed in detail using case study research methods, initially across the entire duty environment. Focusing on management type tasks, the involved processes and activities are described and evaluated towards possibilities for dedicated workflow support. The analysis of involved processes shows that the majority of relevant activities occur before the flight leaves the gate but are of relevance to the entire flight. From this the elements which can profit by procedure-oriented mobile device support are derived and described in detail. These are used to give guidelines for the required structure of information and to provide a concept for a possible support system. Through iterative development the support concept is subsequently implemented by means of a runnable mobile device application prototype. Finally, the prototype is evaluated towards identification of general usability using human factors testing methods. The results indicate that the conceived interface constitutes a low threshold to usability and allows for quick learnability even for users without prior knowledge about the system. Suggested future steps include further refinement of the system and human-factors studies in an operational line flying environment.