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INTRODUCTION
On 14 October 1947, a young pilot, Captain Charles E. (“Chuck”) Yeager, broke the sound barrier. Later, he said: “I was always afraid of dying, always. It was my fear that made me learn everything I could about my airplane” (Yeager, cited in Harrison, 2000:96, own emphasis). This statement encapsulates the profound importance of training, even for some of the most famous names in aviation circles. In order to master the machines they fly and so change the course of history, it was critical that these pilots gained a deep understanding and knowledge of their aircraft. Modern airline pilots operating some of the most advanced machinery known to humankind are no exception to this rule.
Today’s successful airline organisations, which operate advanced commercial aircraft employing highly complex automation, have consistently found that well-trained pilots are the cornerstone of their profits and ultimate business survival. The situation is complicated by the fact that, in order to remain competitive in an industry renowned for failure and bankruptcy, airline companies are also obliged to invest in expensive modern and more efficient aircraft. This investment includes training highly competent pilots (Australian Transport Safety Bureau, 2007; Walters, 2002).
Although not all training situations are as dramatic as Yeager’s remark implies, training human beings to handle an advanced automated aircraft can be an extremely expensive, challenging and time-consuming exercise (Johnston, Fuller & McDonald, 1995) that require effective organisational practices and structures, dedicated and skilful instructors, and most importantly, motivated learners (Telfer & Moore, 1997).
Air travel in commercial advanced aircraft is currently rated as the safest mode of transportation (Boeing, 2009); however, people still continue to perish as a result of aircraft accidents, and the financial impact of such accidents can close down an airline company (FAA, 1996). The consequences of an aircraft accident are devastating, for not only the company involved, but also the communities that such an event ultimately affects. Alarmingly, the reported probable cause cited in over half of aircraft crash investigations is pilot or human error (Billings, 1997; Cockburn, 2007; NTSB, 2009). Studies have shown that in highly advanced automated aircraft accidents, human factor issues in general, and pilot training in particular, often play a significant role (Ishidi & Kanda, 1999; Kaminski-Morrow, 2009; Rouse & Morris, 1987; Sarter, 1996).
CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION – THE PROBLEM AND ITS CONTEXT
1.1 INTRODUCTION .
1.2 THE RESEARCH CONTEXT.
1.3 THE RESEARCH PROBLEM AND ITS SIGNIFICANCE
1.4 PURPOSE OF THE RESEARCH
1.5 RATIONALE FOR THE RESEARCH PROJECT
1.6 SCOPE OF THE STUDY
1.6.1 General scope
1.6.2 Theoretical scope
1.7 RESEARCH OBJECTIVES .
1.8 OUTLINE OF THE STUDY .
CHAPTER TWO: LITERATURE STUDY – THE HUMAN-MACHINE INTERFACE
2.1 INTRODUCTION
2.2 CONTEXTUAL DEFINITIONS
2.3 CHARACTERISTICS OF ADVANCED AUTOMATED AIRCRAFT
2.3.1 Computerisation of aircraft systems
2.3.2 The dominance of aircraft technology .
2.3.3 The advanced flight deck
2.3.4 Advanced airframe and mechanical subsystems .
2.4 AUTOMATED AIRCRAFT AND HUMAN PERFORMANCE
2.5 AIRLINE PILOT TRAINING
2.6 CONCLUSION
CHAPTER THREE: LITERATURE STUDY – THE ADVANCED AIRCRAFT TRAINING CLIMATE
3.1 INTRODUCTION
3.2 RESEARCH DELIMITATIONS
3.3 CLARIFICATION OF THE CONSTRUCT – TRAINING CLIMATE
3.4 APPROACHES TO LEARNING
3.5 MEASURING LEARNING .
3.6 HYPOTHESISING AN EXPLANATORY MODEL OF THE
RESEARCH CONSTRUCT
3.7 CONCLUSION
CHAPTER FOUR: RESEARCH AND STATISTICAL METHODOLOGY
4.1 INTRODUCTION
4.2 RESEARCH DESIGN
4.3 REASONING .
4.4 THE EMPIRICAL RESEARCH METHOD: A MULTIPLE METHOD APPROACH.
4.5 MEASURING INSTRUMENTS .
4.6 QUESTIONNAIRE CONSTRUCTION ..
4.7 STRUCTURE AND LAYOUT OF THE QUESTIONNAIRE USED IN THE STUDY
4.8 LEVELS OF MEASUREMENT .
4.9 RESEARCH POPULATION AND SAMPLING STRATEGY
4.10 BASIC DEMOGRAPHIC INFORMATION ON THE FINAL SAMPLE
4.11 DATA COLLECTION PROCEDURES
4.12 CONTENT VALIDATION
CHAPTER FIVE: RESULTS
CHAPTER SIX: SUMMARY, DISCUSSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS
7 LIST OF REFERENCES .
APPENDICES
