Description: The Intelligent Information Processing System (IIPS) is a system and actor monitoring, information processing, and decision support tool that focuses specifically on safe air operations. All aspects of information processing by all flight deck agents are modeled. Models can then be compared to root causes for accidents, incidents, near misses, or regulatory offenses. The models will include correct or expected behaviors and also inaccurate or inconsistent behaviors. Once models are developed, they can be compared to actual flight deck observations. As deviations are detected, well-defined actions are promptly taken and responses monitored. Metis Intelligent Information Processing System (IIPS) Phase I work was focused on the research of how improved information flow between actors in a flight deck environment can improve safety performance. After general analysis, we developed initial requirements for the fully operational system. We developed and successfully demonstrated an operational prototype which illustrated how IIPS could have broken the error chain in an actual accident. The Phase II effort sought to extend the depth and breadth of concepts identified and developed during the Phase I effort. All components experienced growth in maturity, and we improved the software to be incrementally usable by NASA, university, and industry researchers and demonstration to potential industry partners including the FAA, aircraft manufacturers, avionics manufacturers, and flight training simulation manufacturers. For this Phase IIx effort we propose to integrate IIPS to flight training environments. Simulated environments will be followed, if possible, by an airborne environment. We will demonstrate how IIPS can significantly enhance the quality of flight training environments. The Phase IIx development efforts will focus on reducing or eliminating the discovered drawbacks and to ready the software for any immediate research, training, or commercial application.

Benefits: Integrating IIPS with NASA's Airspace and Traffic Operations Simulation (ATOS) system: The IIPS can be developed to monitor ASTORs for reasonable flight performance and generate alerts along with additional context when simulated aircraft begin to deviate. IIPS can also support autonomous and semi-autonomous systems as we develop VIRT and AI concepts. The IIPS VIRT functionality will optimize the time for a human operator to develop a complete and accurate situational assessment and perform the appropriate recovery actions.

The IIPS technology contributes to several FAA near-term goals identified either as safety enhancements per Commercial Aviation Safety Team Safety Enhancements, or as accident causes per the Joint Safety Analysis Team Controlled Flight Into Terrain and Joint Safety Implementation Team Loss of Control documents. IIPS can also be used commercially in pilot training systems.