Style guide and formatting methods for pilot quick reference handbooks

#The present invention relates generally to pilot quick reference handbooks (QRHs), and more particularly, but not exclusively to a style guide and formatting methods for QRHs.

#While operating an aircraft, a flight crew must often access one or more checklists within a quick reference handbook (QRH) in order to successfully perform their primary tasks. Because the operation of an aircraft can depend upon the proper use of a QRH checklist, it is highly desirable to provide an improved format for QRH checklists that allow for even safer aircraft operation.

#Pilots work in a complex multitasking environment where many things compete for their attention. Since pilots, as do all humans, have limited attention and cognitive resources, these resources have to be distributed to the activities in which they are engaged. If one task requires a lot of the pilots' resources, then their resources may not be available for other tasks.

#The present invention will become more fully understood from the detailed description and the accompanying drawings, wherein:

#FIG. 1A is a plan view of an exemplary quick reference handbook prepared by a style guide and formatting methods for pilot quick reference handbooks according to one embodiment of the present invention;

#FIG. 1B illustrates a cover for a QRH having a quick action index according to one embodiment of the present invention;

#It should be understood that the description and specific examples set forth below, and provided in FIGS. 1-29 while indicating at least one exemplary embodiment of the invention, are intended for purposes of illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention.

#The following description of exemplary embodiments is merely exemplary in nature and is in no way intended to limit the invention, its application, or uses.

#Various embodiments of the present invention include digital or electronic data for a QRH, which may be provided in XML (extensible markup language), Framemaker, HTML (hypertext markup language), PDF (portable document format), etc. The digital or electronic version of the QRH may reside on any of a wide range of computer or machine readable media.