Toward a Flight Deck Automation Philosophy for the Boeing High Speed Civil Transport

In this paper we address the role that automation will play in an advanced High Speed Civil Transport (HSCT) flight deck. It is argued that an automation philosophy is necessary to optimize design in the face of new technology that creates additional design options and adds to the complexity of the future flight deck design process. An overview of issues that influence the determination of an automation philosophy are presented along with specific items that will be part of that philosophy. We do not provide a comprehensive automation philosophy at this time, however. After a brief summary of Boeing's HSCT program, a detailed definition of automation, as it applies to the flight deck, is provided. A systems approach to flight deck design is described which is based on satisfying the aircraft's non-normal as well as normal mission requirements. Areas where pilots can make their strongest contributions as part of an overall flight deck system are identified, but it is suggested that the full potential of the crew can only be realized through the use of human-centered automation.