Toward Human–Autonomy Teaming in Single-Pilot Operations: Domain Analysis and Requirements

Abstract

This paper aims to systematically analyze the needs for single pilot and reduced crew operations in commercial air transportation, and to develop human-autonomy teaming requirements to support future operations. In reduced crew operations, the pilot-flying operates the flight alone in the cockpit while the pilot-not-flying rests outside of the cockpit unless needed in high workload situations. In single pilot operations, there is only one pilot onboard to manage the flight. Many of the functions performed by the second pilot in dual-pilot operations would be replaced with an autonomous teammate. These increasingly autonomous systems will have capabilities that require it to be treated more like a member of the crew. Enhanced ground support will also support these flights. The transition from dual-pilot to single pilot operations will require the redesign of the roles and responsibilities of the air and ground crew, crew resource management, function allocation, human-autonomy teaming, and procedures for normal and off-nominal situations. Document analysis, subject matter expert interviews, and pilot evaluations were conducted to analyze and compare concepts of operation, develop domain knowledge models, and develop human-autonomy teaming requirements to support pilot decision making and operations.