Galery

1

Certainly, this aeroplane is ‘past its prime’. However, things are different in aircraft. Due to their price, they are made so that they have a very long life. There are multiple parameters to measure the fatigue of the aircraft’s construction - in addition to years, they include numbers, landings and types of landings, hours in the air, the servicing of the aircraft also ensures a longer life. Although the structure of the aircraft may be old and although it was produced 25 years ago, many of the aircraft computers that give life to the systems can be updated to comply with technological changes. Therefore, this is not a problem. However, what we must consider is that the Airbus 320 is a fly-by-wire generation aircraft, i.e. all commands of the pilot go to the computer first and then subsequently, they are submitted to the aeroplane systems. Therefore, in the case of the Germanwings crash, before making any conclusions, we must be convinced that the behaviour of the aircraft was 100% what it should have been. I have not yet heard that the data from the so-called black box have been read and I have not read a conclusion to ensure that all aeroplane systems were properly working and that everything related to the aircraft operation was properly functioning. What is happening now is hype on the human factor and it is embarrassing. The human and technical factors are one thing, the findings should be made in parallel. Prior to blaming the crash on the human factor, we must be sure that the aircraft was 100% flawless, its systems were flawlessly operating and that what happened to it was a consequence of the commands submitted by the pilot. In the case of the Airbus 320, reading these parameters can absolutely specify that. So far, we have not seen anything like that. It should be examined if the plane properly had responded to the actions of the pilot and hence to build a logical scheme to show if what happened was due to the actions of the pilot or if there was something between the pilot and the aircraft. What is happening now lacks logic. I am worried, because when such an accident happens the investigation must be conducted according to the international standards set out in Annex 13 of the International Civil Aviation Organization ICAO. So far, I have not heard the conclusion of the chief investigating body, which is the French investigation board. The disseminated information comes out from politicians, journalists or directors of the company who are concerned with the situation in one way or another and this is a little worrying.

Strong reactions and interest are understandable when the case is about a crash in Europe of the aircraft of a subsidiary of perhaps the most prestigious airline in the world. What is the biggest problem in civil aviation safety today?

The problems are different but I would focus on the interaction between man and technologically developing air systems. Technology does a very good job while it works properly. The human factor uses technology very well while it works properly. The problem that exists in aviation and that will continue to intensify is similar to the problem faced by every single person who has a reason to be dependent and rely on technology to the point at which it stops working. We have no choice and we are accustomed to living our life by relying on modern technology. Nevertheless, it is created by man and it is not perfect. Modern technology allows us to live more dynamically. The greater dynamism in aviation is expressed in the continuous reduction of safety areas. The number of aircraft increases whereas the distances between them are reduced thanks to technology that we use. The greater dynamism in aviation is expressed in the continuous reduction of safety areas. If 2,000 aircraft flew yesterday, 20,000 or 200,000 aircraft are flying in the same airspace today. If 10 km separated one aircraft from the other some time ago, yesterday that distance was 5 km and today we pass each other at a distance of 1 km and even of 1/2 a kilometre sometimes. The number of aircraft is increasing and the distances between them are decreasing thanks to technology we use. If technology fails, it is becoming more difficult for the human factor, and it may soon be impossible for it, to replace it and fit into the same framework of safety that technology is able to maintain. This problem will persist and deepen if technological development does not focus on the human factor. Because progress is made by technocrats who underestimate the fact that over-reliance on technology eventually leads to system failures.
  
What does a greater emphasis on the human factor mean? Is it new regulations and new requirements for the pilot profession?

Technology is introduced at a fast pace and it develops mainly because of a purely financial interest. In aviation, technology cannot be introduced only because it prompts cost reduction and improved efficiency. It must be thoroughly tested and for a long period in terms of how it works in harmony with the human factor. Otherwise, it can be really dangerous. There are ways and methods to thoroughly test technologies and for a long time at that with a good feedback from the pilots before introducing them. This will take account of any imperfections in the synergy between man and the machine. A system may seem great on paper but it may prove to be quite cumbersome in practice, to hamper the pilot, thus turning out to be ultimately ineffective.