Can AI help pilots in future cockpit scenarios? A tale of two simulations.
AI in the cockpit is being researched in a number of projects, but how useful is it really likely to be? This presentation considers two recent test cases, one for emergency flight upset support in a single pilot cockpit configuration, the other providing re-routing advice for a conventional two-pilot scenario. Both cases utilised prototype AI and commercial airline pilots as test subjects, the first case in a static A320 simulator at ENAC in France, the second in an advanced touchscreen simulator at Thales Avionics, also in France.
In both cases the AI showed potential, but it is as yet unclear whether pilots would one day accept it in their daily flight routine. The various pilot concerns, and potential solutions, will be discussed. This is a chance to take a glimpse into the future and better appreciate the potential advantages and drawbacks of AI cockpit support.
Our speaker, Barry Kirwan, has been involved in aviation human factors and safety research for the past 25 years whilst at EUROCONTROL, having previously worked as Head of Human Factors at both NATS and British Nuclear Fuels, and also as a lecturer in Human Factors at Birmingham University. Although recently retired from EUROCONTROL, he is still actively researching Human-AI Teaming with two aviation research organisations.
