Go-around manoeuver: a simulation study

Abstract

Events during which a safe go-around was not achieved have been brought to the attention of the BEA (Bureau Enquête Analyse pour la Sécurité de l'Aviation civile – French Safety Board) due to their noticeable increase since the 2000s. Considering the greater risk associated with the go-around manoeuvre, currently defined as a normal phase of flight, the BEA has decided to undertake a study named ASAGA (Aircraft State Awareness during Go Around). The study aimed at identifying the weaknesses of the system during go-around manoeuvres regardless of the type of aircraft and the airline operational procedures. In this context, the analysis relied mainly on three components: (1) Safety events (incidents / accidents); (2) Large scale survey; and (3) Flight simulations. Experiments were conducted using two long-range full flight simulators with operational pilots. This paper presents the method used to conduct the experiment and some of the resulting data, as well as some initial conclusions. The data included: video camera recordings for task analysis; recordings of the ocular activity of the two pilots; and debriefings. The eye trackers were used to analyze the pilot’s scanning patterns and the distribution of their attention during this particular flight phase. The debriefings consisted of interviews, based on the self-confrontation technique, which enable the pilots to self-assess their actions and situational awareness. Eleven crews from three French airlines participated to the simulations. The scope was not explained to them to prevent any anticipation. Each crew performed the same scenario from take off to landing that included three go-around manoeuvres. The first results indicate some concerns related to the cooperation between controllers and aircrews in such demanding occurrences, some lack of understanding of cockpit automatisms and failures in crew resource management. Results are discussed in terms of potential improvements of the Human Machine Interface, pilots-controllers interactions and task sharing within the aircrew.