Safety analysis of the optionally-piloted airplane landing

Abstract

Purpose

This study aims to optionally-piloted aircraft is useful for in-flight tests of new automatic controller’s concepts. The safety of this kind of experiment is an issue addressed in this paper. The prediction of possible safety-influencing factors makes it possible to assess the pilot’s ability to effectively prevent safety risks.

Design/methodology/approach

The analysis in this research paper focusses on two cases of monitoring; similar control standards for both pilot in command and the monitoring pilot or technical systems in one of these tasks and dissimilar control standard when monitoring pilot is not familiar with a control manner of the pilot in command or of the automatic control system. The increased workload is expected in the last case as the result of additional activities determined theoretically in the presented analysis. Details of the possible threats are obtained by simulation tests with various factors influencing the safety of landing. In addition to determining threats, the analysis includes the possibility of in time threat detection and preserving action.

Findings

The results show that the safety pilot has a different task than the pilot in command and needs to be familiar with the general principles of automatic controller operations and the particular algorithm being tested. Although commonly used landing procedure is relatively error-tolerant, new landing procedures for use in some specific conditions need more precise control and additional safety pilot preparation. Additional information presented to both the pilot in command and the safety pilot may increase mode and state awareness and reduce reaction time in an emergency condition.

Practical implications

In-flight tests of non-standard control algorithms there is a need to include additional preparation of the equipment and safety pilot. The research in this paper illustrates how to determine threats and safety-critical moments during the experimental flight can be observed. The danger is mitigated by the safety pilot, if familiar with both proper and improper operations of the controller and how the pilot in command should detect and predict danger caused by the tested control system.

Originality/value

The presented method of analysis combines the human factor with various technical aspects. The results obtained illustrate the real tasks of the person supervising the operation of the automatic control system and the role of a human as a safety pilot.

Citation

Pieniazek, J. and Ciecinski, P. (2021), "Safety analysis of the optionally-piloted airplane landing", Aircraft Engineering and Aerospace Technology, Vol. 93 No. 9, pp. 1502-1511. https://doi.org/10.1108/AEAT-11-2020-0265