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Pre-Departure Clearance (PDC): An Analysis of Aviation Safety Reporting System Reports Concerning PDC Related ErrorsAirlines operating in the United States are required to operate under instrument flight rules (EFR). Typically, a clearance is issued via voice transmission from clearance delivery at the departing airport. In 1990, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) began deployment of the Pre-Departure Clearance (PDC) system at 30 U.S. airports. The PDC system utilizes aeronautical datalink and Aircraft Communication and Reporting System (ACARS) to transmit departure clearances directly to the pilot. An objective of the PDC system is to provide an immediate reduction in voice congestion over the clearance delivery frequency. Participating airports report that this objective has been met. However, preliminary analysis of 42 Aviation Safety Reporting System (ASRS) reports has revealed problems in PDC procedures and formatting which have caused errors in the proper execution of the clearance. It must be acknowledged that this technology, along with other advancements on the flightdeck, is adding more responsibility to the crew and increasing the opportunity for error. The present study uses these findings as a basis for further coding and analysis of an additional 82 reports obtained from an ASRS database search. These reports indicate that clearances are often amended or exceptions are added in order to accommodate local ATC facilities. However, the onboard ACARS is limited in its ability to emphasize or highlight these changes which has resulted in altitude and heading deviations along with increases in ATC workload. Furthermore, few participating airports require any type of PDC receipt confirmation. In fact, 35% of all ASRS reports dealing with PDC's include failure to acquire the PDC at all. Consequently, this study examines pilots' suggestions contained in ASRS reports in order to develop recommendations to airlines and ATC facilities to help reduce the amount of incidents that occur.
Document ID
20020005889
Acquisition Source
Ames Research Center
Document Type
Conference Paper
Authors
Montalyo, Michael L.
(NASA Ames Research Center Moffett Field, CA United States)
Lebacqz, J. Victor
Date Acquired
August 20, 2013
Publication Date
January 1, 1994
Subject Category
Air Transportation And Safety
Meeting Information
Meeting: 8th International Symposium on Aviation Psychology
Location: Columbus, OH
Country: United States
Start Date: April 23, 1995
End Date: April 27, 1995
Funding Number(s)
PROJECT: RTOP 538-04-11
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Work of the US Gov. Public Use Permitted.

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