When we take the opportunity to use the data readily available to us, we take advantage of the many attributes digital technology has to offer. But when humans use the same data points, we don’t always arrive at the same conclusions as a computer.
This has led many different industries, not just aviation, to come to the same common thought process: computers do a much better job at improving safety, speed, and accuracy … far beyond what can be done using human analysis.
RECORDING AN AIRCRAFT’S HISTORY
Unfortunately, unlike our modern aircraft equipped with such things as Flight Control Computers, Glass Cockpits, and Fly-by-Wire Systems relying on electronic data; information critical to understanding the aircraft’s history and future Airworthiness requirements are still reliant on human analysis and relegated to the use of paper as the vehicle.
What this means to business aviation (and aviation as a whole) is we are not taking advantage of digital technology in employing and keeping the critical aircraft records and Airworthiness information. Instead, we rely purely on people to best utilize the information, resulting in the same scenarios as in the examples above: disastrous.
ELECTRONIC DATA
Electronic data refers to any original version of digital information. Today, more than 85% of all electronic business transactions taking place around the world use this technology because it has proven to be of major value to business; enhancing speed, accuracy and productivity.
USE OF ELECTRONIC DATA IN AVIATION
DATA WHEN USED IMPROPERLY
In our world of business aircraft operations, the misuse or misinterpretation of data often results in catastrophic error. Below are a few examples:
A failed AOA probe led the Maneuvering Characteristics Augmentation System (MCAS) to believe the aircraft was in an impending stall condition during climb-out. Utilizing the autopilot, it pulled the nose of the aircraft down to avoid the stall. The crew’s non-understanding of the events as they unfolded resulted in the aircraft diving for the ground.
Inconsistencies in the data between airspeed measurements caused the autopilot to disconnect. Unfortunately, the crew misinterpreted this same data; ultimately causing the aircraft to enter an aerodynamic stall from which it did not recover.
In each of these examples; data coming from critical components of the aircraft became compromised, leading the aircraft to behave in an improper manner. Unfortunately, this same information also led the crew to take inappropriate actions, with disastrous results!
DATA WHEN USED PROPERLY
In our world of aircraft operations, data used properly always serves to increase safety. Below are a few examples:
As more is demanded of the aircraft we build, we continue to push the envelope in which the aircraft flies. This tends to make these complex aircraft inherently unstable, even in normal flight; consequently, we rely on sophisticated computers to enable the aircraft to fly correctly.
Modern aircraft typically feature glass cockpits with computer-controlled monitors displaying flight, engine, and aircraft performance data, in easily understood imageries, replacing dozens of gauges, switches, and lights; freeing the flight crew to focus on more urgent details.
Fly-by-wire technology translates the pilot’s actions into electronic signals which computers use to manipulate flight controls. Computers constantly monitor pilot input and prevent the aircraft from exceeding its flight envelope.
When we take the opportunity to use the data readily available to us, we take advantage of the many attributes digital technology has to offer. But when humans use the same data points, we don’t always arrive at the same conclusions as a computer.
This has led many different industries, not just aviation, to come to the same common thought process: computers do a much better job at improving safety, speed, and accuracy … far beyond what can be done using human analysis.
RECORDING AN AIRCRAFT’S HISTORY
Unfortunately, unlike our modern aircraft equipped with such things as Flight Control Computers, Glass Cockpits, and Fly-by-Wire Systems relying on electronic data; information critical to understanding the aircraft’s history and future Airworthiness requirements are still reliant on human analysis and relegated to the use of paper as the vehicle.
What this means to business aviation (and aviation as a whole) is we are not taking advantage of digital technology in employing and keeping the critical aircraft records and Airworthiness information. Instead, we rely purely on people to best utilize the information, resulting in the same scenarios as in the examples above: disastrous.
THE BOTTOM LINE
Moving from our world of paper as the media for recording vital statistics of Airworthiness of an aircraft, to modern digital technology, will have the same effect in the aircraft world as it has in so many other industries: enhancing speed, accuracy and productivity. It will also have the effect of increasing what we most value in aviation: safety.
So, what do we say about an industry that creates and operates aircraft that fly faster, travel further, and operate more efficiently than ever before; yet still conducts business using paper records? It’s unacceptable! And if safety is our number one concern … like we say it is … we’ll change. It’s that simple.
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