FAA Airline Transport Pilot (ATM)Human Factors and CRMHard
A first officer becomes accustomed to trusting the autopilot and flight management system during routine operations. During a complex arrival, the automation silently reverts to a different mode without an obvious annunciation, resulting in an unintended descent that goes unnoticed until ATC queries the altitude. The crew's over-reliance on automation, leading to reduced manual monitoring and awareness of mode changes, is best described as:
- ASomatogravic illusion
- BAutomation complacency
- CPlan continuation bias
- DAuthority gradient
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: B. Automation complacency
Automation complacency occurs when crews place excessive trust in automated systems, reducing their active monitoring and vigilance, which can lead to missed mode changes or system anomalies such as an unannunciated mode reversion. This is a well-documented human factors risk in highly automated cockpits.
Why the other options are wrong
- A. Somatogravic illusion is a vestibular illusion caused by acceleration, unrelated to automation reliance.
- C. Plan continuation bias involves persisting with an original plan, not reduced monitoring of automation.
- D. Authority gradient concerns interpersonal power dynamics between crew members, unrelated to automation trust.
Automation Complacency
A state of reduced vigilance and manual monitoring that results from excessive trust in automated flight systems, increasing risk of missed anomalies or mode changes.
- Can lead to loss of manual flying proficiency
- Mode confusion is a common associated risk
- Mitigated by periodic manual flying and active mode awareness
Memory trick: Trust the machine too much, and you stop watching it.