Management of automated navigation and autoflight systems.

Bottom line

The automation intended to reduce pilot workload essentially removes the pilot from the process of managing the aircraft, thereby reducing situational awareness and leading to complacency. Pilots who consistently rely on an autopilot for flight path management may experience degraded ability to fly manually when required to do so. Pilots should anticipate the need to fly manually and be prepared to maintain the desired flight path when manual control becomes necessary.