The impact of new technology on general aviation: global positioning system receivers, the Federal Aviation Administration, and the small aircraft pilot

Abstract

This research sought a method to predict the outcome of new technology introduction into general aviation. The emerging technology selected for this study is a handheld global positioning system (GPS) receiver with integrated moving map. The predictive methodology included benchtesting the new technology and shadowing professional pilots (n=5) flying in day, night, and all weather conditions for five months. The post-technology introduction activities of pilots were collected by NASA-Ames in the Aviation Safety Reporting System (ASRS) database, the predictive methodology produced a total of twenty predicted incidents. When compared with pilot narratives (n=138), 75% are supported in sufficient detail by real world incidents. The results indicate that the applied methodology does produce a significant number of predictors of incidents/errors after new technology introduction.