How do Pilots Handle Conflicting Data in the Cockpit?

FAA Grant Awarded to Florida Tech to Investigate How Pilots Make Decisions When Faced With Incongruent Information

Meredith Carroll, associate professor of Aviation Human Factors, received a $600,000 FAA grant subcontracted through Enroute Computer Solutions to study how pilots respond when faced with discrepant data in the cockpit. 

Donna Wilt, professor of Aeronautics and Debbie Carstens, professor of Aviation Human Factors, will also contribute to the two-year research effort entitled “Human Factors Considerations for Information of Varying Levels of Integrity, Reliability, and Security on the Flight Deck.” 

Through theoretical and empirical study, the faculty will examine how pilots make decisions when faced with situations in which panel mounted displays and portable displays such as the electronic flight bag present incongruent information whether due to a system error, a malicious attack or a user error, and how the FAA can mitigate these issues. 

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