EASA have posted an automation survey to support planning of future policy, see: -
EASA Cockpit Automation Survey
The introduction pre-supposes advantages of automation; the questions on problems focus on the man-machine interface.
An earlier view of EASA policy is in
EASA Safety Conference: Staying in Control - Loss-of-Control (LoC) Prevention & Recovery
Go To: Presentations (ZIP file), Tuesday 4th October, 2nd session, “EASA Automation Policy_Michel Masson.pdf”
Also the presentation “Crew Resource Management_Jean Pariés.pdf” has relevant information.
17 theme issues are identified (slides 7 & 8); they are all from the operator perspective (I want).
The mitigating activities (by the regulator) involve design specification, particularly CS25.1302, training, and operation, but the significant human issues are on slides 15 & 17.
- Cognitive flying skills.
- Understanding the situation.
- Task vs capability.
- Anticipating situations.
- Surprise, workload, distraction.
- Use of FD vs instrument flying.
- Judging time available.
Improvements in these are to come from ‘best practice’, but what is best practice, and who judges that?
The CRM presentation also identifies similar issues – Anticipation, understanding, and ability.
The overall view suggests that the solutions are to come from ‘indeterminate’ design guidelines (CS.25.1302) and human factors training to improve the human. There appears little to control the situation in which the human and machine operate, and which often contains dominant influences.
The referenced EASA Safety Bulletin on Flight Deck Automation Policy is available from
http://www.ukfsc.co.uk/files/EASA%20...Nov%202010.pdf
And the automation Cockpit Guidelines (OGHFA) from
SKYbrary - Automated Cockpit Guidelines (OGHFA BN)
And if little of this is of interest, at least view the picture on slide 22 of the CRM presentation !