Managing a Data-link Failure of a Single-piloted Airliner during Flight: A System-Theoretic Process Analysis

Abstract

Each modern concept of Single Pilot Operations (SPO) for a commercial airliner in research employs a remote operator such as a pilot or super-dispatcher as support to handle any off-nominal and emergency situation on-board. Hence, a data-link break-up poses a hazard for flight safety. Existing technology from unmanned aviation is transferred to establish a mission management including SPO-specific procedures to handle data-link failures. A predictive System-Theoretic Process Analysis of data-link failures during flight exemplifies how an automated contingency management assessing the data-link's quality alerts the single-pilot to continue safe operations. A complete loss of link requires an emergency landing via autoland that is administered by mission management. Nonetheless, the systems and procedures design(s) to manage data-link contingencies must consider the reliability of other components of the single-piloted airliner.