This is exert from real life safety topic regarding automation hazard. I thought I'd share it with you guys because it seem very relevant these days:

 

1.   Over-dependency on automated systems introduces potential new hazards. Some of these hazards include the following:
   1.   “Heads down” time
      1.   No matter how skilled a pilot becomes with avionics, programming requires “heads down” time, which reduces the pilot’s ability to scan for traffic, monitor engine instruments, etc.
         1.   A better strategy is to enter all of the flight data before you take off.
      2.   Advanced avionics flight decks have a tendency to capture pilots’ attention.
         1.   Instructors should emphasize to learners the need to minimize “heads-down” time.
   2.   Complacency
      1.   Complacency is overconfidence from repeated experience on a specific activity.
         1.   It reduces the pilot’s effectiveness in the flight deck and is a contributing factor in numerous aviation accidents and incidents.
      2.   Automation has been shown to induce overconfidence and complacency, resulting in a pilot following the instructions of the automation even when common sense suggests otherwise.
         1.   For example, the pilot assumes the autopilot is doing its job and fails to crosscheck the instruments or the aircraft’s position frequently. Then, if the autopilot fails, the pilot may not be mentally prepared to fly the aircraft manually.
            1.   Instructors should be especially alert to complacency in learners with significant flight experience.
      3.   Advanced avionics have created a high degree of redundancy and dependability in modern aircraft systems.
         1.   During flight training, routine flight operations may lead to a sense of complacency, which can threaten flight safety by reducing situational awareness.
            1.   Instructors should determine whether learners are maintaining situational awareness by asking about positions of other aircraft in the traffic pattern, engine instrument indications, and the aircraft’s location in relation to references on a chart.
            2.   Another technique is to focus the learner’s attention on an imaginary problem with the communication or navigation equipment.
            3.   Situational awareness is not being maintained if learner diverts too much attention from other tasks, such as controlling the aircraft or scanning for traffic.
            4.   These are simple exercises that can be done throughout flight training that help emphasize the importance of maintaining situational awareness.
   3.   Fixation and Inattention
      1.   Automation Inattention
         1.   Inattention occurs when a pilot fails to pay attention to a task that is important.
         2.   Inattention is sometimes a natural by-product of fixation.
            1.   Pilots fixate on one task and become too busy to attend to other tasks.
         3.   Inattention also happens when pilots are not busy. Attention may drift when they become bored or think that a task does not deserve their attention.
            1.   Many studies have shown how performance rapidly deteriorates when humans are asked to passively monitor gauges or the progress of an automated system such as a GPS navigation computer or autopilot.
               1.   Furthermore, it seems that the more reliable the system becomes, the poorer the pilot becomes at the monitoring task.
            2.   Strategy for combating this type of inattention
               1.   Instructors should alert the learner to the problem.
               2.   Instructors should help learners develop habits that keep their attention focused.
      2.   Automation Fixation
         1.   Fixation occurs when a pilot becomes absorbed in performing one task to the exclusion of other tasks.
            1.   Beginning instrument pilots characteristically fixate on particular instruments, attempting to control one aspect of their performance while other aspects deteriorate.
            2.   Pilots experienced in the use of conventional flight instruments tend to deviate from assigned altitudes during their initial experience with the PFD while they adjust to the tape display presentation of altitude information.
            3.   Fixation on a task is often a sign that the task has not received enough practice in isolation.
               1.   That is, the pilot has not yet mastered the task well enough to perform it in addition to other tasks.
            4.   Fixation can happen even when individual skills have been reasonably mastered or when learners have not yet learned the importance of managing their own limited attentional resources.
      3.   How to Identify Fixation or Inattention Problems
         1.   One way for instructors to identify problems with fixation and inattention is to follow a learner’s gaze.
            1.   Learners who appear to look at one instrument for an extended period of time might have a problem with fixation.
            2.   Learners whose gaze is never directed toward engine instruments might have a problem with inattention.
            3.   The technique of following learner eye movements is useful, but it has limitations since looking in the same direction as the learner is not the same as “seeing” what the learner sees.
   4.   Experience and the Automated Flight Deck
      1.   Inexperience is a hazard when an inexperienced pilot attempts an activity that demands a high skill set.
         1.   For example, a wealthy pilot can afford to buy an advanced avionics aircraft but lacks the experience to operate it safely.
      2.   However, experience can provide a false sense of security, leading the pilot to ignore or fail to recognize a potential hazard.
   5.   Flying Outside the Envelope
      1.   Flying outside the envelope is performing according to the belief that the airplane’s high performance capability meets the demands imposed by the pilot’s (usually overestimated) flying skills.
      2.   While it can occur in any type aircraft, advanced avionics aircraft have an increased risk of this type of accident.
   6.   Automation Bias
      1.   Automation bias is the pilot’s willingness to believe that the automation is more capable than the pilot.
         1.   This perception may result in “set and go” passive management, allowing the automation to maintain the role of PIC.
         2.   The pilot must maintain the role of PIC.
         3.   The PIC must monitor automatic systems and maintain situational awareness.
      2.   “A pilot must not assume that automation will fulfill his/her primary obligation, which is to fly the aircraft,” explains Ray Johnson, an aviation safety inspector with AFS-800.
   7.   Startle Effect
      1.   Automation startle or aviation startle occurs when something in the aircraft deviates from its expected performance resulting in sudden shock or alarm.
         1.   Fear, confusion, anger, or involuntary physical reactions can result.
      2.   A deviation from expected performance may leave complacent pilots completely unaware of what is actually happening.
      3.   This is usually a result of the pilot failing to monitor flight deck instruments and gauges and not noticing deviations.
      4.   Startle effect can lead to distraction or fixation, resulting in spacial disorientation which can lead to loss of control (LOC).
      5.   Prevention is the best way to combat this type of startle effect.
         1.   Pilots should use personal minimums and aircraft checklists.
         2.   Pilots should maintain their scan.
      6.   Startle Effect after an Initial Startle Effect
         1.   After initial alarm(s) are activated, subsequent alarms may be disregarded.
            1.   The pilot becomes overwhelmed with the number of alarms and loses focus on the core problem.
         2.   Preparation is the best way to prevent this occurrence.
            1.   Pilots must know and understand the failure modes of their instruments and systems.
               1.   Pilots should keep the POH and manuals readily available on the flight deck and know how to access information and checklists in the event of a failure or malfunction.
         3.   Pilots should consider receiving upset recovery ground and flight training to safely handle a LOC event.

23 hours ago, sd_flyer said:

  Advanced avionics flight decks have a tendency to capture pilots’ attention.

Can't wait til Tesla releases its new plane we will be able to play video games on its glass cockpit avionics 🙃

This is great, thanks for sharing. I think we are headed that way in all the automation that is being built into automobiles also. Its an interesting topic because automation is being put in place to help avoid accidents, but there will be drivers/pilots who will become too complacent.