Redesigning flight operations for pilots
From Hidden Option to Strategic Growth Driver
Problem
Pilots needed to complete critical load & balance calculations using fragmented tools under strict time and safety constraints.
My role
Senior Product Designer responsible for research, workflow definition, interaction, and validation with pilots and operations.
Solution
A pilot-centred redesign that unified flight operations into a guided, reliable system optimized for speed, clarity, and safety.
Impact
Reduced HCC completion time from 10–12 to 3–5 minutes and helped improve on-time performance to 92% on key days.
Initial Situation
Binter was operating with a legacy solution that wasn’t adapted to the cognitive ergonomics or the operational environment of the cockpit. Pilots work under high mental load: before, during, and after the flight, they must complete complex tasks, make quick decisions, and generate and sign mandatory documentation—often under strict time constraints.
Despite how critical this process was, the existing tool failed to provide support in terms of interaction, clarity of data, or regulatory compliance. The design didn’t match how pilots actually work inside the aircraft.
The Challenge
The Load and Trim Sheet (HCC) process was slow, fragmented, and error-prone. Pilots had to search for information in multiple places, with no clear hierarchy or flow. The interface was not designed for cockpit conditions. On top of that, some areas of the workflow did not comply with European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) recommendations and requirements.
To make things worse, there was no unified design system to support the digital tools used by pilots, ramp agents, catering crews, or ground operations. A full redesign from the ground up was necessary.
Where the experience breaks
Lack of visual orientation
The interface lacks clear entry points or visual weight, making it hard to scan and prioritize tasks—especially under time pressure.
Broken proximity principle
Buttons and input fields are scattered, breaking functional unity and forcing users to work harder to complete actions efficiently.
Modelo mental desalineado
The sequence of steps contradicts the real workflow, increasing frustration and errors in repetitive high-load environments.
Older version of the pilot application.
The Journey
We immersed ourselves in the real operational context. For a full week, we flew alongside pilots in the cockpit to observe their workflows, how they interacted with the existing tools, and what challenges they faced.
We complemented this with in-depth interviews with captains, copilots, and technicians, usability tests in flight simulators, and continuous technical reviews to ensure EASA compliance.
This project wasn’t just about redesigning an interface—it was about designing for the reality of cockpit operations, where everything is regulated: color coding, numerical inputs, screen layouts, and even communication language (English). Our approach was scientific, user-centered, and grounded in validated standards and regulations.
Design Thinking in Action
We quickly realized that pilots don’t interact with digital systems like typical users. They use specific numeric keypads, rely on color codes that follow strict aviation standards, and operate under constant pressure with very little room for error.
That’s why we restructured the entire information architecture and interaction model around cockpit mental models. We prioritized key data based on operational needs—surfacing only what the pilot needs, exactly when they need it.
We also redesigned task flows to match the pilot’s real-world sequence of actions, not a theoretical one. Every interaction was tested under realistic flight conditions.
The Solution
We designed a modular application, accessible from both iPads and desktop, with interfaces tailored to each user role: captains, copilots, technicians, and ground staff. Key improvements included:
Role-specific views and flows.
Real-time, middleware-integrated HCC calculations.
Visual overview of crew, payload, and aircraft section distribution.
Digital document signing (LIR/HCC) with legal validity.
Full offline mode with smart data sync.
Full English translation to meet international standards.
Dark and light mode to suit the context of the cockpit.
The iPad supports both landscape and portrait orientation.
Briefing
This section serves as the main screen after login and represents the first control checkpoint before starting the workday. Its purpose is to:
Enable pilots to review their assigned flights, aircraft technical data (hours, cycles), and the current status of each flight.
Confirm that the entire crew is correctly assigned and ready, including roles and credentials.
Verify that the aircraft is ready for operation, with all times and cycles properly updated.
Act as the entry point to the day’s operational workflow, ensuring accuracy, coordination, and regulatory compliance from the very beginning.
Load Sheet
This section serves as the main screen after login and represents the first control checkpoint before starting the workday. Its purpose is to:
Enable pilots to review their assigned flights, aircraft technical data (hours, cycles), and the current status of each flight.
Confirm that the entire crew is correctly assigned and ready, including roles and credentials.
Verify that the aircraft is ready for operation, with all times and cycles properly updated.
Act as the entry point to the day’s operational workflow, ensuring accuracy, coordination, and regulatory compliance from the very beginning.
Load Sheet
Stock header module
This action header provides pilots with direct access to the key operations needed to complete the Load and Trim process. It centralizes all critical actions related to the preparation, validation, and review of the Operational Load and Trim Sheet (HOCC), enabling efficient and error-free workflows.
This header acts as a control panel, helping pilots ensure that all data is complete, validated, and compliant with operational safety standards before takeoff.
Load Sheet
Flight info module
This module provides pilots and operational staff with a concise and structured summary of each flight’s core data, acting as the main reference point for validating operational exceptions.
Its key purposes are:
Display essential flight information at a glance: date, departure and arrival times, parking stands, aircraft registration, and callsign.
Allow users to report exceptional operational conditions, such as flights not performed by the crew or aircraft not operational, through a dedicated dropdown interface.
Offer a progressive disclosure of information, adapting to the user’s actions:
Collapsed view for quick reading
Expanded view for selecting conditions
Persisting selected exceptions even when collapsed
By consolidating flight status and exceptions in one consistent interface, this module ensures clarity, accountability, and operational traceability throughout the workflow.
Load Sheet
Checklist module
This module ensures that all operational checks and required documents are completed before the flight.
It allows the crew to:
Review and complete mandatory procedures
Upload and validate flight documentation
Flag issues or pending actions
Confirm that everything is ready before departure
It streamlines the workflow, reduces errors, and ensures the flight is compliant and safe to operate.
Load Sheet
Passenger distribution module
This module allows the crew to manually or automatically assign passengers by seat and zone, ensuring proper weight distribution and aircraft balance.
It supports special categories (e.g., infants, PRMs) and reflects real-time adjustments based on onboard data.
Results & Impact
⏱ Reduced HCC processing time from 10–12 minutes to just 3–5 minutes
🕐 Punctuality improved to 92% on high-traffic days like Fridays and Sundays
✅ Successfully certified by AESA
🚀 Solution fully delivered in under 6 months, after more than a year of previous delays
Key Learnings
You don’t just design for screens—you design for the real environment in which those screens are used
Field research was the key to building trust and uncovering the real problems
Managing client expectations and internal collaboration was just as important as the design itself
Translating regulatory requirements into usable, human-centered interfaces was essential for certification
Let’s connect
Thanks for reading! If you’re hiring, collaborating, or just curious about my work — feel free to drop me a line. I’d love to hear from you.
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Mobile version coming soon
🧑💻 Oops, no mobile magic yet
🧑💻 Oops, no mobile magic yet
This portfolio is best viewed on a larger screen—for now!
Between projects, parenting, and the daily rush, I haven’t had time to build the mobile version yet.
Thanks for your patience and for stopping by anyway!
I swear I’m working on it… right after I finish this project, feed the kid, answer 27 emails, and maybe sleep a bit.
Until then, try visiting from a bigger screen. It’ll be worth it—I promise!