Aviation System Design for Safety and Efficiency

Abstract

An appropriate measure of risk and a method of obtaining an answer to the question “How safe is safe enough?” are discussed. The basic principles of proper and improper use of such design characteristics as accuracy, blunder rate, reliability, redundancy, Kalman filtering, independence, integration, flexibility, etc., are presented with particular reference to their effects upon safety as distinguished from efficiency of air traffic control systems. Mutually consistent definitions of these various loosely used terms are presented. The nature and role of blunders and the basic principles useable for their prevention through the use of navigation facilities and independent surveillance systems are examined.