Departure and Approach profile design complexity, ATC requirements, software development and hardware processor speed have culminated in automated engine and airframe management – not piloting - it’s all data processing – confirmation and mode selection.
Walk into the most advanced simulators and its all the same, the first thing you are briefed on is – “don’t think of this as a hands on aircraft, its all about data and process management, once you have this concept you will have no issue flying the aircraft”. We fine tune our “gross error” management skills and are actively discouraged to “fly” the aircraft.
Automation has dramatically reduced hand skill and more importantly the confidence pilots’ have in hands on flying ability.
Mind you, the automation starts from the planning stage all the way to the post flight sign-off.
The automation in use that wasn’t in existence even 10 years ago is astounding – what used to take several hours to acquire, calculate and asses now takes minutes.
Professionally we are disengaging from the very aspects that develop and round our understanding and skill of piloting the aircraft even before we get into the cockpit, this fact is possibly lost on those born into this highly advanced tech laden era.
Aircraft flight system design, Organisational culture, Training and Checking programs will need to cater for this increasing concern.