The Monitoring Pilot - Thrust automation and its implications

Sammanfattning

This study is written for the purpose to analyze how automation in today’s modern flight deck is affecting pilots basic flying skills. It is focused on the pilot’s ability to control thrust. The main thesis transpires that pilots may had a better physical understanding around aerodynamics and speed control during basic flying training, operating aircraft with minimal or no automation (energy management might be excluded due to weight difference between singe engine trainer and airliners). The pilots will transition from “hands on” flying and thrust control, to fully automated commercial airliners. This study will shed some light on how pilots change their behavior from basic flying to commercial flying regarding handling skills and attention in a monitoring state. Is autothrust deteriorating pilots’ handling and energy management skills? Is learning ability a factor for transcending handling skills? How well do pilots perform in a monitoring, high-level automated flight deck? The methodology includes the method of systematic literature study, Industry document review and case studies. All these methods are connected and will conclude a possible risk of degrading pilot handling skill and attention during monitoring on modern flight decks.