Wireless Communications to improve transportation safety and productivity: in a Post 9/11 environment. Lori J. Brown Lead Researcher Crew Safety and Security Research Team Western Michigan University College of Aviation College of Aviation Kalamazoo, 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 have been sufficient when designed in the 1950’s. Has failed in accidents/incidents Qantas BGK, Tower Air JFK, Valujet, UAL 811, etc

"The security breaches onboard that led to the events of 9/11; Richard Reid, suspected "shoe bomber" on American Airlines flight 63, December 2001; and other subsequent threats have confirmed the need for a wireless communication device," Association of Professional Flight 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 Survey (Brown &Niehaus 2009) *Funded by WMU FRACASF Grant Western Michigan University, Pilot /Flight Attendant Survey (Brown &Niehaus 2009) *Funded by WMU FRACASF Grant Survey Survey

An ATR aft passenger door separated after take- off at an altitude of 600 feet. The flight attendant at the door, stated that she did not think of calling the cockpit when she heard the sound of the door leak before it separated, because the aircraft was under sterile cockpit conditions. An ATR aft passenger door separated after take- off at an altitude of 600 feet. The flight attendant at the door, stated that she did not think of calling the cockpit when she heard the sound of the door leak before it separated, because the aircraft was under sterile cockpit conditions. When queried as to what conditions she would call the cockpit when sterile, she responded that she would in case of fire or a problem passenger. Confusion over and rigid interpretation of the sterile cockpit rule is not unusual as our study shows. When queried as to what conditions she would call the cockpit when sterile, she responded that she would in case of fire or a problem passenger. Confusion over and rigid interpretation of the sterile cockpit rule is not unusual as our study 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 Once activated into the emergency secondary mode it will Once 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 every “speaks” the alerting message to every A completely discreet model is available for A completely discreet model is available for Air Marshals. Air Marshals. 32% of Flight Attendants surveyed 32% of Flight Attendants surveyed said they would not be willing to wear this type of devise said 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 9 th in the US Survey will run through May 9 th in the US Translations to Spanish, Chinese, Japanese, and Korean Translations to Spanish, Chinese, Japanese, and Korean Results published in IJAAS Results published in IJAAS Results presented at International Aviation Psychology Symposium, Beijing, China, November 2009 Results presented at International Aviation Psychology Symposium, Beijing, China, November 2009 Pointed curriculum and recommendations developed Pointed curriculum and recommendations 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 from 24 countries. Special Thanks to: Special Thanks to: ALPA ALPA AFA AFA CAPA CAPA NWA NWA Spirit Airlines Spirit Airlines APA APA EAAP EAAP AEPA AEPA For more information contact For more information contact