fdr, PBL, et al, whilst it is interesting to seek a high level (academic) understanding of the human / system interface, it is also necessary to provide practical guidance for operators – a bit more than "
You've got to be very careful … ”
Humans have lived with ‘automation’ for a long time, generally adapting to the new circumstances and situations which arise. However, in aviation either due to the extent, or rapid development and implementation of technology in a complex operating environment, it appears that we in part failing to adapt and cope.
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More recent and contemporary utopias are almost invariably dystopias. This is interesting and in its way surprising development. It suggest that we have found technology more of a burden and a threat than a liberation and help as was promised.” A.C. Grayling, Utopia. ‘Ideas that matter’.
You provide a hint to solutions focusing on the loss of situation awareness. I would look further into this asking if an appropriate awareness was ever attained – having a plan; as Yogi said
”… if you don't know where you're going, ..."
I see these aspects as shortfalls in mental preparation, poor strategic decision making, which generates and updates the mental model. Perhaps there is a reluctance to do this (assuming that it was done pre technology), because of the existence of technology; ‘it’ provides, or will provide answers otherwise generated via a mental model – so now we have don’t think, just use the EFIS, FMS, autopilot.
A possible contributing problem is that the EFIS, FMS, or autos are not good devices for establishing or maintaining the mental model.
Is this due to a design issue or the way in which we have been taught to construct our mental model (planning) when using technology? We are unlikely to improve the design in the near future – at least in a meaningful flight-safety timescale, thus we might only have the human to work with.
A solution? Perhaps a way forward might require greater understanding of the technology we use, the situations where it is / is not of benefit, and how and when to use this information. Not just more training, practical training and continual knowledge-building focussed on the critical use areas of technology.