You raised some very interesting questions in your posting. There's a lot
of research on the issues you raise, and some solid attempts by AA, Delta,
and aviation researchers to train pilots to use automation in ways that
enhance and preserve their skills; but by definition, letting automation do
the job takes the user out of the loop to some extent. I don't know of any
method that allows completely riskless, effortless re-assumption of direct
control by a user.
If you're looking for some background literature on the subject of
automation and human performance, I can recommend a few good sources. If
you're interested in what pilot training has to offer TRACON and center, AA
might be willing to supply info on their philosophy of automation use, and
Delta has made their Intro to Automation materials fairly public. A paper I
put into the Human Error and Systems Development conference in Scotland
last month describes some automation use philosophies, if you want it I can
send it along.
Regards,
Paul Sherman
Paul J. Sherman
Doctoral Student, Web manager
University of Texas Aerospace Crew Research Project
1609 Shoal Creek Blvd, Suite 200
Austin, TX 78701-1022
phone: 512/480-0036
fax: 512/480-0234
Website: http://www.psy.utexas.edu/psy/helmreich/nasaut.htm