Wireless Communications to improve Wireless Communications to improve transportation safety and productivity: transportation safety and productivity:

in a Post 9/11 environment.in a Post 9/11 environment.

Lori J. BrownLori J. BrownLead ResearcherLead Researcher

Crew Safety and Security Research TeamCrew Safety and Security Research TeamWestern Michigan UniversityWestern Michigan University

College of AviationCollege of AviationKalamazoo, Michigan, USAKalamazoo, Michigan, USA

“The attempts of those valiant flight attendants onboard United Airlines flight 93, serve as

alarming reminders that the cabin crew is essential to the safety of the aircraft and passengers.“

Flight Attendants as “Frontline responders.”Photo: Av-Sec 2008

The cabin interphone system may The cabin interphone system may have been sufficient when designed have been sufficient when designed in the 1950’s.in the 1950’s.

Has failed in accidents/incidentsQantas BGK, Tower Air JFK, Valujet, UAL 811, etc

"The security breaches onboard that led to "The security breaches onboard that led to the events of 9/11; Richard Reid, the events of 9/11; Richard Reid,

suspected "shoe bomber" on American suspected "shoe bomber" on American Airlines flight 63, December 2001; and Airlines flight 63, December 2001; and

other subsequent threats have confirmed other subsequent threats have confirmed the need for a wireless communication the need for a wireless communication

device," Association of Professional Flight device," Association of Professional Flight Attendants (APFA).Attendants (APFA).

Communication

Viewed from “both sides of the fortress door”

Errors have been documented which illustrate the convergence of barriers in information transfer between the flight attendants and pilots and the anticipated stress related effects on communication. (Chute 1996)

Western Michigan University, Pilot /Flight Attendant Western Michigan University, Pilot /Flight Attendant Survey

(Brown &Niehaus 2009) *Funded by WMU FRACASF Grant

An ATR aft passenger door separated after take-An ATR aft passenger door separated after take-off at an altitude of 600 feet. The flight attendant off at an altitude of 600 feet. The flight attendant at the door, stated that she did not think of at the door, stated that she did not think of calling the cockpit when she heard the sound of calling the cockpit when she heard the sound of the door leak before it separated, because the the door leak before it separated, because the aircraft was under sterile cockpit conditions. aircraft was under sterile cockpit conditions.

When queried as to what conditions she would When queried as to what conditions she would call the cockpit when sterile, she responded that call the cockpit when sterile, she responded that she would in case of fire or a problem passenger. she would in case of fire or a problem passenger. Confusion over and rigid interpretation of the Confusion over and rigid interpretation of the sterile cockpit rule is not unusual as our study sterile cockpit rule is not unusual as our study shows.shows.

*Lack of thorough pre-flight Briefing, Sexual orientation

Security breaches since 9/11 have confirmed the need for a discreet wireless

communications device. Real time, discreet, communication devices are needed to

improve communication between the pilots, flight attendants and air marshals.

See STG Aerospace exhibit booth at WATS for more information

Blue Tooth Style Blue Tooth Style Once activated into the emergency secondary mode it willOnce activated into the emergency secondary mode it will transmit text messages direct to the cockpit for pilot action. transmit text messages direct to the cockpit for pilot action. ““speaks” the alerting message to everyspeaks” the alerting message to every A completely discreet model is available forA completely discreet model is available for Air Marshals. Air Marshals. 32% of Flight Attendants surveyed32% of Flight Attendants surveyed said they would not be willing to wear this type of devisesaid they would not be willing to wear this type of devise

* subject to change

CAMS Beta Test

Cabin Crews Flight Crews

Survey will run through May 9Survey will run through May 9thth in the in the USUS

Translations to Spanish, Chinese, Translations to Spanish, Chinese, Japanese, and KoreanJapanese, and Korean

Results published in IJAASResults published in IJAAS Results presented at International Results presented at International

Aviation Psychology Symposium, Aviation Psychology Symposium, Beijing, China, November 2009Beijing, China, November 2009

Pointed curriculum and Pointed curriculum and recommendations developedrecommendations developed

Future Challenges Lack of research in this area since 1995 (NASA). Lack of funding for “Flight Attendant” research The events of September 11th, 2001 have taken

this to a new level and compounding communication barriers.

The new reinforced cockpit doors also impede further communications and separate the two groups.

Thank you to the 350 Flight Attendants and Pilots Thank you to the 350 Flight Attendants and Pilots from 24 countries.from 24 countries.

Special Thanks to:Special Thanks to: ALPAALPA AFAAFA CAPACAPA NWANWA Spirit AirlinesSpirit Airlines APAAPA EAAPEAAP AEPAAEPA

For more information contact For more information contact Lori.Brown@wmich.edu