Air Carrier Safety Assurance Audits

One method used to prepare for and monitor the expanded role of automation in airline operations is the air carrier safety assurance audits. This program comprises periodic, in-depth self-evaluations of a carrier's operating and training procedures. These are key elements in airline man-machine integration. The audits use a team concept involving both management and line pilot personnel. Originally developed to deal with the broad spectrum of flight safety, this program provides a valuable means for the airlines to bridge the compatibility gap between complex systems and the human operator in an increasingly automated environment.