Assessing the Implications and Challenges Associated with Pilot Technology Dependency - Research Paper Example

After briefly examining the progression of aviation automation, the research embarked on evaluating whether excessive reliance on technology by pilots is leading to these aviation incidents and accidents. This involved analyzing multiple effects of overdependence on technology, as proven by data from different aviation stakeholders like the FAA, ASRS, and LOSA. The study applied an unbiased study approach, to effectively show the implications of pilots’ overreliance on automated aviation systems.

This project paper examined the implications and challenges linked to pilot technology dependency. The research was founded upon the widespread advancement of aviation technology and the correspondingly increased propensity of modern pilots and flight crews to place greater dependence on the automation. Contemporary pilots extensively operate using auto-flight systems such as autopilot, auto-thrust of auto-throttle. These auto-flight systems are instrumental in enabling pilots to manage their in-flight workload, in improving safety and facilitating higher precision of flight operations (Billings, 1997).

Regrettably, habitual and incessant use of these systems fails to reinforce pilots’ skills, knowledge and overall expertise in successfully execution flight operations manually. This is primarily ascribable to the continuous degradation of pilots’ flying skills. As a result, there is an elevated risk that pilots no longer possess the skills necessary to recover from automated systems’ failure, programming related errors and most, importantly, situation awareness which is subservient to safe aviation.

Further, overreliance on aviation automation could lull flight crews into accepting the course of an aircraft without properly monitoring changing flight circumstances.