On the design of integrated air/ground automation

This paper addresses the design of automation for the primary operators in the air transportation system: air traffic controllers and flight crews. The modernization of the airspace system requires the implementation of extensive integrated automation support in air traffic control facilities and on flight decks. Research in the human factors division at NASA Ames Research Center over the past seven years has focused on prototyping and evaluating both air and ground aspects of envisioned future air traffic management concepts. This paper presents an example of automating an air traffic control task. It expresses lessons learned and views on the process of designing automation for the very complex and distributed air traffic system.