Investigating Young Pilots’ Perception,Training,and Reliance on Automation in the Flight Deck

Abstract

Automation has existed for decades and has been implemented in many industries, including aviation, and the designs of the future are underway. This technology has changed the roles and responsibilities of pilots, and the current pilots-in-training will be the primary operators of those aircraft. Understanding how these future pilots are learning and using automation may provide insight to future aircraft design teams. Eleven participants, including four Certified Flight Instructors Instrument and seven pilots-in-training, were recruited via convenience sampling from a southeastern university for this study. The participants completed a semi-structured interview which focused on their experiences with automation. Results suggest that first, CFIIs understand the risk of pilots’ over-reliance on automation and emphasize manual flight at the instrument rating level. Second, CFIIs seem aware that a pilot’s comfortability with automation influences their decision to use it. Third, young pilots tend to rely on automation but feel prepared to hand fly in situations where manual flying is required. Finally, training from CFIIs on automation concepts tends to be inconsistent. The implication of this study includes recommendations on how training on automation concepts can be improved, such as (1) having more time to experience using automation in the simulator or in flight, (2) having dedicated, in-depth lessons either on the ground or in flight on automation concepts, and (3) more consistency from CFIIs when teaching automation.