Winging It in the 1980's: Why Guidelines are Needed for Cockpit Automation

There have been many reasons for the introduction of automation into the cockpit of the modern airliner. In some cases the forces driving technology have caused the design of automated systems which compromise the ability of the pilot to fulfill his responsibilities for the safety of the airplane under his command. This paper will examine how these forces can lead to unnecessary cockpit automation, and will discuss what must be done to avoid the introduction of automated systems which have the effect of removing the human operator from the information and control processes.