Aerospace and Electronic Systems Magazine July 2017 - 5

surveillance (CNS) systems with the VPA and introduces the concept of a novel cognitive human-machine interface (CHMI) [11],
which provides a real-time estimation of the pilot's cognitive states
for adaptive alerting and task allocation. The increased operational
efficiency and safety afforded by the VPA will provide a pathway
to the certification of single-pilot aircraft for commercial aviation.

CURRENT TWO-PILOT OPERATIONS
In the 1950s, a five-person flight crew was required in any commercial aircraft. However, technological advancements have allowed progressive de-crewing on the flight deck [12]. At present,
a two-person cabin crew comprising a pilot flying (PF) and a pilot
not flying (PNF) is responsible for the tasks of aviating, navigating,
communicating, and managing the aircraft from take-off to landing,
with the responsibilities of radio operators, navigators, and flight engineers being replaced by on-board automated systems (Figure 2).
The PF takes responsibility of directing the aircraft in line with the
approved flight plan and continuously monitors the flight path for

any deviations. The PNF primarily focuses on navigating, controlling and monitoring radio communications, cross monitoring the
actions of PF, assisting the PF in high workload situations and taking over flight tasks in case of PF incapacitation. Proper CRM allows the workload to be shared effectively between the PF and PNF
with adequate levels of cooperation, communication, and coordination for maintaining appropriate situational awareness.
Under current regulations, all large commercial aircraft are required to be flown by a flight crew consisting of not less than two
pilots (FAR 14 CFR 121.385). However, authorities also specify
that all aircraft must be capable of being operated by a single pilot
from either seat, meaning that there are already SPO elements in
the design of current flight decks.

SINGLE-PILOT OPERATIONS - DEFINITION AND
CONSIDERATIONS

Australian Civil Aviation Safety Regulations (CASR) define SPO
as the operation of an aircraft by a single pilot on board the cockpit (CASR 1998-REG 61.010). In this
context, the pilot assumes a supervisory
role, monitoring automated systems and
coordinating the various tasks together
with the ground crew. Due to the increased autonomy in the aircraft, humanmachine teaming (HMT) is identified as
a critical aspect and has to be addressed
through human-centred systems design.
According to Nielsen, the key ergonomic elements to be considered for system
design include: facility of learning and
remembering key functions; efficiency
and intuitiveness of using automated
functions; and avoidance/reduction of
pilot-induced errors [13].
In recent years, there has been considerable interest in the implementation
of SPO for small-to-medium size commercial aircraft. Comprising approxiFigure 1.
mately 80% of the global fleet, these
Crewing requirements and interactions in two-pilot, single-pilot, and RPAS operations.
JULY 2017

IEEE A&E SYSTEMS MAGAZINE

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Aerospace and Electronic Systems Magazine July 2017