Explain the rationale behind consistent and thorough checklist use as opposed to reliance on memory.
Due to a large number of checks required there is a risk of forgetting one or more if relying solely on memory
The checklist confirms the check that has already been carried out
The human memory tends to remember the generalities but forgets the particulars.
The check is tied to a particular event or point.
This is a critical phase of flight
Describe how colour coding conventions are used in aviation on instruments and displays.
Colour coding allows for a quick reference at a glance to ensure things like the oil temperature is within limits. By using the colour coding on the gauge, at a glance we can say it is in the green zone, instead of 178*C out of 220*C.
This makes scanning the instruments much faster and easier
Describe problems associated with the presentation and misinterpretation of alerts.
Sometimes alerts are expected to illuminate and this results in them being ignored when there is a real emergency.
Describe the basic requirements of alerts.
Must illuminate appropriately when a warning device goes off, or make a noise that will alert the crew of said conditions or emergencies.
Describe potential errors in the interpretation of the artificial horizon.
Because the artificial horizon can topple, many pilots have followed the horizon when the aircraft has been inverted or in an attitude other than wings level
Describe potential errors in the interpretation of three pointer altimeters.
Most of these errors occur in the three point altimeter with the 10,000ft pointer – meaning the error is 10000ft out
Describe common errors in display interpretation.
Common errors in interpreting displays can include the display being hard to read, if not lit up enough if flying at night or low light conditions. Displays that are located in hard to look places such as low down, or up high can also make interpreting that information difficult.
Displays should also be colour coded to quick reference (eg yellow and red lines) and also easy to read such as light bold font on a dark background.
Describe parallax error.
This is derived from not reading an instrument directly from its front, due to the separation of the indicator and the scale not being read.
This gives the illusion that the instrument is reading something else
Explain the importance of the following in the design of instrumentation, displays and alerts:
The size of displays and instruments plays a large part in cockpit design. The displays need to be big enough to read easily, but not that it interfered with the other gauges and takes up too much room.
Explain the importance of the following in control design ...
The size on controls can make it much easier to find in a rush, also different sizes ensure that the pilot does not reach and move a wrong control next to another; such as a throttle being larger than a flap lever located next to the throttle.
To recognize a control by touch, this allows pilots to reach and make small (or large) adjustments without having to look down and into the cockpit to ensure they have the correct control. This saves a lot of time and effort on the pilots behalf, as well as make the aircraft easier and safer to fly.
The location of controls should be easy to find and operate. For a control such as throttles and mixtures which are used alot, they should be in sight and easy to reach.
Controls used less such as cabin lights and APU’s, these can be located is a position which can still be operated by the pilot, but less in their field of vision or as easy to reach.
Direction of movement of controls should be in a way which makes sense. When a throttle is pushed forward, that should increase the RPM of the aircraft. All switches should operate in the same direction, eg up for ON. This minimises confusion and keeps the controls easy to understand.
As mentioned earlier, visibility is a must for every flight. Anything that diminishes the visibility is seen as detrimental to the flight. A pilot should be able to see as much as possible outside as well as inside.