Automation Casualty?

One of the downsides of automation is that the pilot often is removed from the control feedback loop. In other words, he or she isnt sensing what the airplanes control feedback is saying. When manually making a certain control input, the pilot receives instant feedback-through the control system and the instruments-on whether the airplane is responding as expected. All that is lost when Otto is flying, even though the instruments may tell us everything is nominal.

Joseph E. (Jeb) Burnside

Monday, January 30, 2017 at 12:00 AM ET

Verified

Key Takeaways:

Cockpit automation, while simplifying flight, can disconnect pilots from critical aircraft feedback, potentially hindering their ability to manually recover from unexpected situations like icing or out-of-trim conditions.
A fatal Piper Meridian accident exemplified these risks, where a pilot, likely over-reliant on automation and struggling with equipment proficiency in challenging instrument meteorological conditions, lost control after an ATC re-sequencing.
The NTSB determined the probable cause to be spatial disorientation and light ice accumulation in adverse weather, but the article suggests the pilot's lack of engagement in the "feedback loop" and potential unfamiliarity with the automated systems were key contributing factors.

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There’s no question cockpit automation has made pilots’ lives easier. Moving maps, autopilots, GPS and automatic sequencing have altered the ways we humans ensure precise navigation and aircraft operation. The attraction is simple: Twirling a knob and pushing the right button at the right time usually requires less effort than hand-flying, especially during a gnarly approach. But there’s no free lunch.

One of the downsides of automation is that the pilot often is removed from the control feedback loop. In other words, he or she isn’t sensing what the airplane’s control feedback is saying. When manually making a certain control input, the pilot receives instant feedback—through the control system and the instruments—on whether the airplane is responding as expected. All that is lost when Otto is flying, even though the instruments may tell us everything is nominal.