Frontier Airlines A321 makes emergency landing at LAS airport.
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Flight Level 320
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Flight Level 320
25 Jul, 19:19
Have you heard of shape coding?
During World War II, the B-17 Flying Fortress, a heavy bomber crucial to the war effort, was notorious for landing incidents where pilots would mistakenly activate the landing gear lever instead of the flap lever. Both levers were located in close proximity and had similar designs, making it easy for pilots, especially under the stress of combat and fatigue, to confuse them. This confusion led to the catastrophic consequence of the plane's wheels being retracted upon touchdown, causing the aircraft to skid along the runway. This recurring problem not only resulted in the loss of aircraft and costly repairs but also put the lives of pilots and crew members at risk. In an effort to address this issue, the Army Air Corps turned to a young aviation psychologist named Alphonse Chapanis, whose groundbreaking work would revolutionize cockpit design and significantly improve aviation safety.
Alphonse Chapanis, a pioneer in the field of human factors engineering, recognized the problem as one of design rather than pilot error. He theorized that by making the controls more distinguishable through both visual and tactile cues, pilots would be less likely to make such critical mistakes. This led to the development of shape coding, a simple yet ingenious concept that involved assigning distinct shapes to different controls.
One of the most famous examples of shape coding implemented by Chapanis was the addition of a wheel-shaped grip to the end of the landing gear lever. This unique shape not only provided a clear visual indicator but also a tactile cue that pilots could easily recognize even in low-light conditions or when their attention was divided. By simply feeling the shape of the lever, pilots could confidently identify and operate the correct control.
Chapanis' shape coding solution proved to be highly effective in reducing landing gear-related accidents. It was quickly adopted for the B-17 and other aircraft, leading to a significant improvement in aviation safety. The success of shape coding also paved the way for further advancements in cockpit design, with human factors engineering becoming an integral part of aircraft development.
Today, shape coding is a standard practice in aviation and other industries where human-machine interaction is critical. It has been incorporated into various controls, from aircraft cockpits to industrial machinery, to ensure that operators can quickly and accurately identify and operate the correct controls.
The importance of shape coding for aviation safety has been recognized by regulatory bodies worldwide. In the United States, the FAA has incorporated shape coding requirements into its regulations, specifically in Part 25 of the Federal Aviation Regulations, which governs the airworthiness standards for transport category airplanes. This regulation mandates the use of distinct shapes for certain critical controls, including the landing gear lever, to prevent accidental operation and ensure safe flight operations.
For more, go to www.FlightLevel320.com
During World War II, the B-17 Flying Fortress, a heavy bomber crucial to the war effort, was notorious for landing incidents where pilots would mistakenly activate the landing gear lever instead of the flap lever. Both levers were located in close proximity and had similar designs, making it easy for pilots, especially under the stress of combat and fatigue, to confuse them. This confusion led to the catastrophic consequence of the plane's wheels being retracted upon touchdown, causing the aircraft to skid along the runway. This recurring problem not only resulted in the loss of aircraft and costly repairs but also put the lives of pilots and crew members at risk. In an effort to address this issue, the Army Air Corps turned to a young aviation psychologist named Alphonse Chapanis, whose groundbreaking work would revolutionize cockpit design and significantly improve aviation safety.
Alphonse Chapanis, a pioneer in the field of human factors engineering, recognized the problem as one of design rather than pilot error. He theorized that by making the controls more distinguishable through both visual and tactile cues, pilots would be less likely to make such critical mistakes. This led to the development of shape coding, a simple yet ingenious concept that involved assigning distinct shapes to different controls.
One of the most famous examples of shape coding implemented by Chapanis was the addition of a wheel-shaped grip to the end of the landing gear lever. This unique shape not only provided a clear visual indicator but also a tactile cue that pilots could easily recognize even in low-light conditions or when their attention was divided. By simply feeling the shape of the lever, pilots could confidently identify and operate the correct control.
Chapanis' shape coding solution proved to be highly effective in reducing landing gear-related accidents. It was quickly adopted for the B-17 and other aircraft, leading to a significant improvement in aviation safety. The success of shape coding also paved the way for further advancements in cockpit design, with human factors engineering becoming an integral part of aircraft development.
Today, shape coding is a standard practice in aviation and other industries where human-machine interaction is critical. It has been incorporated into various controls, from aircraft cockpits to industrial machinery, to ensure that operators can quickly and accurately identify and operate the correct controls.
The importance of shape coding for aviation safety has been recognized by regulatory bodies worldwide. In the United States, the FAA has incorporated shape coding requirements into its regulations, specifically in Part 25 of the Federal Aviation Regulations, which governs the airworthiness standards for transport category airplanes. This regulation mandates the use of distinct shapes for certain critical controls, including the landing gear lever, to prevent accidental operation and ensure safe flight operations.
For more, go to www.FlightLevel320.com
Flight Level 320
21 Jun, 00:01
This 73 was roughly 10 miles from the airport at ~500 feet AGL before they received a low altitude alert from ATC 😨
Flight Level 320
05 Jun, 22:24
⚠️ If you are A320 type rated, this is your chance to join Flight Level 320. Limited space.
www.FlightLevel320.com
www.FlightLevel320.com
Flight Level 320
03 May, 10:14
Most US airlines prefer quick access cards over memory items, arguing that the difference in completion time between the two is only a matter of seconds. Considering the difficulty of recalling procedures under stress, they believe that this negligible time difference does not justify relying on memory alone.
What are your thoughts? Agree? Disagree?
What are your thoughts? Agree? Disagree?
Flight Level 320
02 May, 18:00
The Wall Street Journal reports that Brazilian aircraft manufacturer Embraer is considering producing a competitor to the Boeing 737 and Airbus A320.
Flight Level 320
23 Apr, 16:47
The timing of the “V1 callout” in company policies can vary, with some companies choosing to make the callout at V1, and others opting to do so just before reaching V1.
What is your argument for whether the "V1 callout" should be made at V1 or just before reaching V1?
What is your argument for whether the "V1 callout" should be made at V1 or just before reaching V1?
Flight Level 320
11 Apr, 22:02
LogTen has competition.
https://apps.apple.com/cz/app/logger-pilot-logbook/id6470538989
https://apps.apple.com/cz/app/logger-pilot-logbook/id6470538989
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