Social Informatics and Aviation Technology

With the introduction of computer technology and digital displays, pilot access to information has increased thereby providing for greater safety. Yet, Controlled Flight into Terrain, (CFIT), is still the third ranking cause of fatalities among air carriers in the United States. Given the estimation that 80% of all aviation accidents are caused by human error, even with all the computer aided flight displays, the author of this article suggests that more study needs to be done on how flight crews use the information provided to them. The author suggests that perhaps flight crews have become overly dependent on graphical displays and use the information to provide, rather than support, situation awareness. All the new technology being introduced in commercial aviation may provide additional burdens or may yield benefits for the crew. More study should be done related to the needs of the pilot and crew, how information is made available, crew communication and interaction and increasing the understanding of the multitasking environment of the flight deck. Systems developers must gain a better understanding of the human element and interactions between computer generated information and how it is perceived and utilized by flight crews.