Matthew J. Carrico

Mobile device integration in the cockpit: benefits, challenges, and recommendations

There is a proliferation of mobile devices such as cellular handsets, tablet computers and portable computers used on-board aircraft by both passengers and crew members. This paper focuses on the use of such devices by pilots. While it is recognized that mobile devices can provide operational benefits to pilots, such as improved productivity and situational awareness, there are human factor, operational, architectural, and certification aspects to consider when using these devices in the cockpit. The introduction of interfaces between the mobile device and the avionics, including wired and wireless interfaces, also raise cyber security considerations related to data integrity, spoofing, jamming, and information access. This paper explores these issues through six use cases that progressively illustrate increasing functionality for the pilot and increasing data exchange between the mobile device and the avionics. Each use case is analyzed to identify the human factor, operational, architectural, and cyber security issues that must be addressed by the design implementation, operational procedures and limitations, and training. This paper presents a case for which cockpit information functions are acceptable to implement using mobile devices and which should be avoided due to operational, data integrity or cyber security concerns. The paper notes mobile devices are used both on and off the aircraft and often connect to off-aircraft open networks such as the Internet. This poses challenges for configuration control and cyber security of the information stored and processed on the mobile device. The paper also examines the impact of, and mitigations for, using commercial grade mobile devices in the cockpit that do not meet established avionics design assurance levels.

Safely enhanced low visibility taxi

This paper describes operational concepts, certification considerations, and initial user evaluations for using an avionics system for low visibility taxi operations. The ability to taxi to/from the runway safely and efficiently in low visibility conditions is becoming increasingly important as airplanes and aircrews become equipped and approved for low visibility landing and takeoff. Typically in the United States, any surface operations below 1200 ft. Runway Visual Range (RVR) generally encourage the airport authority to have an approved Low Visibility Operations / Surface Movement Guidance and Control System (LVO/SMGCS) plan which specifies certain markings, signs, lighting, and controls in the airport movement area. Operations below 600 ft. RVR, or 500 ft. RVR under U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Order 8000.94 enablement, require additional infrastructure in movement and non-movement areas and may also require Airport Surface Detection Equipment (ASDE or ASDE-X) or a suitable substitute1 to allow the ground controllers to adequately monitor surface traffic. Surface operations below 300 ft. RVR are generally precluded (or need extra controls such as the use of a “follow-me” truck). The operational concepts described in this paper show how using on-board systems based on synthetic and enhanced vision systems may substitute for or augment an airport’s existing infrastructure. These on-board systems along with proper additional mitigations under the LVO/SMGCS concept of Protected Low Visibility Taxi Routes (PLOVTR) would enable an appropriately equipped aircraft and qualified crew to safely taxi in low visibility conditions.