computers in the workplace, or up in the air?

Aviation. When you hear the word aviation you probably think of airplanes and pilots. Of course, they are the two primary components to all things aviation. However, there is so much more that goes into getting you from point A to point B.

Throughout the United States and all over the world there are aviation professionals working diligently, on computers, to keep you safe and get you there in the shortest time possible. Remember the safest place to be while traveling is on the ground. In the aviation field computers have for many years basically run everything, and now they are taking over the cockpit as well. 

As GPS technology unfolds and gets more and more precise, aircraft and aviation as a whole are relying on it for everyday operation. You may believe that the pilot up front is watching out the window for other airplanes and obstacles. You may think that they are responsible for keeping the airplane going in the direction you want to go, and even think that the pilot is “flying” the plane at takeoff and landing. If this is your thinking you are mostly wrong. In 2020 the airplanes can, and most times do fly themselves, the pilot is there to monitor and take over in the event of a malfunction. Of course, there are times when the pilots do fly the plane but most of the time they cannot do it without help from the plane itself. The inclusion of computers and new technologies in modern aircraft have helped tremendously and will continue to make powered air flight safer and more efficient.

 

Along with the emerging technology in the air, the same can be said on the ground as well. Just like the GPS and navigation aids in the airplane the air traffic control system is getting overhauled also. The instruments used by ATC are now more accurate than ever which allows the controllers to keep more aircraft closer together or more in line up in the sky. These enhancements are keeping you safe and helping you get to point B without incident.

 

So, as you can imagine the pilots, controllers, instructors, and maintenance technicians are working as quickly as they can to keep up. At my place of employment that is exactly what we do, teach pilot and aviation professionals the current and upcoming technologies. It is of the utmost importance for them to keep up as they are the people that help keep us moving and the globe shrinking. Keep these in mind the next time you fly and tell your Captain thank you when he slides on a nice smooth landing. See if he will give the computer on the airplane credit for it’s help.