Geography Reference
In-Depth Information
pilots think that digital maps are necessary for tactical tasks, such as NVG opera-
tions, low altitude operations, joint or combined air operations, air to ground
operations, and air reconnaissance. 30 % of the pilots mention a necessity of the
digital maps for instrument flights (IFR) on civil ATS routes, especially abroad.
This type of flying has its specifics and is based on navigation system guidance,
such as satellite navigation. Some of these devices (FMS equipped) are able to
navigate the aircraft using navigation schemes, to lead the aircraft using data from
international navigational databases, to display and navigate the aircraft on arrival,
approach, departure aerodrome charts, and also to guide the aircraft on the airport
map during taxiing. Some of these devices are able to combine the navigational data
with map layers and therefore the pilot can see the current geographical position of
the aircraft. (However, the map layers are not as important for this type of flying.)
13 % of the pilots think the digital map is necessary for every flight. 8 % of them
mention cases where there is no time to prepare and also some special tasks, such as
SAR missions, photogrammetric scanning, etc. 33 % of the respondents claim that
the digital map is not necessary for any flight or did not answer.
Whether or not digital maps are important in cockpits may reflect the level of
safety and reliability of EFBs. As was mentioned above, pilots do not yet trust the
new technology. Another explanation is that pilots are simply not experienced
enough to work with such maps yet. The fact that digital map could be more
distracting factor from the routine must not be overlooked. On the contrary, tactical
flights require greater geographical awareness, therefore having with digital maps
could make such a task easier. Digital maps could minimize crew error and some
users are well aware of this point.
Other questions reflect the current situation of digital maps in the CZAF aircraft.
56 % of the questioned pilots claim that the digital maps on their aircraft are
sufficient for the tasks carried out. 31 % of the pilots are dissatisfied with the
current equipment. 13 % respondents claim that they do not have such a device on
board or do not answer.
The most common causes of dissatisfaction are the system in place for map
updates, lack of data availability, and the geographer—pilot relationship (41 %);
hardware and software problems, and problems with system and user interface
(31 %). Furthermore, pilots would welcome much more configurable system,
e.g. user points, zones, layers (11 %). They also complained that they often don
t
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get maps in the correct data formats, e.g. vector maps (9 %).
System of Map Data Updates
What is already clear from the above is that one of the main problems is the map
data update system. We examined what kind of experience the pilots have with this
system. 8 % of them have positive and 33 % of them have negative experience with
it. 59 % of the pilots have no experience or did not answer.
