DW, my phrase might have better been constructed as “there is an attitude of ‘don’t think just use’ …”, my concern is that some people have not been taught or do not understand the intent of automation.
“In an auto-flight environment you need to think *and* use the EFIS, FMS and autopilot.” I agree, but how is this accomplished, how does the industry ensure that the intent of design and certification is realised in operation, how is this gap, full of assumptions, to be filled?
fdr, as depressing as your views might appear to some, I agree with you that awareness and its cognitive components are at the root of many human problems in auto operations. I often quote Orasanu and Martin who for me simplify the problem to that of either not understanding the situation, or with understanding, choosing an incorrect course of action. Thus situation awareness is central to current problems as is the accumulation of the various forms of knowledge.
If we wish to use Kern’s analogy of Airmanship, where knowledge are the pillars/walls of our building, and SA the roof, then for issues of automation and technology many pilots are living in the wrong house, not by choice, but due to lack of appropriate resource (training knowledge – what and how) and proficiency in assembling the resource, practice, practice, practice.