Cockpit Task Management: Ftefimraary Definitions, Normative Theory, Error Taxonomy, and Design Recommendations

Abstract

A preliminary formalization of the process that flight crews use to initiate, monitor, prioritize, execute, and terminate multiple, concurrent tasks is presented. I define key terminology and present a preliminary, normative theory of cockpit task management (CTM). An error taxonomy that is applied to three National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) aircraft accident reports is introduced. Recommendations for pilot-vehicle interfaces (PVIs) intended to facilitate CTM and an example, prototype PVI that was effective in improving CTM performance are provided. In conclusion, I describe the complementary relationship between CTM and cockpit resource management (CRM). © 1991 Lawrence Erlbaum Associates, Inc. All right reserved.