Human-Centered Designs in Commercial Transport Aircraft

Abstract

Based on airline pilot surveys, industry committees and workshops, conducted on advanced technology “glass cockpit” airplanes, concerns have been raised about the application and long-term effects of automation technologies. It has been pointed out that purely technology-driven designs had resulted in unintended and unforeseen negative consequences. In order to counter this trend it has been proposed to shift the focus from technology-centered designs to what has become known as human-centered design. There are three primary objectives within a human-centered design philosophy: (1) the design should enhance the user's abilities, (2) the design should help overcome user limitations, and (3) the design should foster user acceptance. This paper discusses the human-centered design objectives within the context of commercial transport airplane developments. Representative examples of a human-centered design are presented.

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