space ops

Gene Kranz​ on spacemanship

By Dave English

“An engineer can explain how a system should work (in theory) but an operator has to know what the engineer knows and then has to know how the systems tie together to get the mission accomplished. If the systems break down the operator must make rapid decisions on fixing or working around the problem to keep the mission moving.” Gene Kranz — aerospace engineer, fighter pilot, NASA flight director — with timeless wisdom on the difference between engineers and operators, in his 2000 book Failure Is Not An Option. Original photo source NASA.

The capability of the human pilot

By Dave English

The North American X-15 was a hypersonic rocket-powered experimental aircraft flown by the USAF and NASA in the 1960’s. The X-15 holds the official world record for the highest speed ever recorded by a manned aircraft, set in October 1967 when test pilot William J. Knight at 102,100 feet flew Mach 6.70. Clearly it was a hot rod rocket ride, and obviously important to the advancement of high speed and high altitude aeronautical engineering. But it was also important in understanding the role of the pilot in new highly dynamic systems, and what machine-human interfaces would be functional in those relms (see NASA history page). It’s a theme … Continue reading The capability of the human pilot

Magnifying and analyzing

By Dave English

Do you fly and say ‘not bad, pretty good‘, or do you fly and then honestly debrief yourself on every action, every decision? Commander Victor Glover became a fighter pilot, test pilot, astronaut by not accepting ‘pretty good’ and going home. (Original photo NASA, at the Houston neutral bounancy tank, 2015. Quote from Mens Health magazine, March 2018)

With the automagic off, are you confident?

By Dave English

With autopilot, autothrottles, flight directors, GPS off — are you practised enough?  Really ready?  Comfortable? Many experts aren’t sure we are. The accident data is worrying. One test-pilot and astronaut with 60-years of flying experience has spoken out about the adverse side effects of automation. He’s noted that Apollo astronauts practised every procedure with and without automation. “We felt comfortable in our spacecraft, capable of flying them when the automatics failed and confident of returning home. This preparation paid dividends for Apollo 13.” “Pilots must be confident operating automated aircraft and capable to defer to their hands-on flying skills” Jim Lovell … Continue reading With the automagic off, are you confident?