Definition
An over-reliance by flight crews on automated flight systems (autopilot, autothrottle, flight management systems) to the point that manual flying skills, situational awareness, and the ability to recognize and recover from automation failures become degraded.
Plain English
When pilots lean on the autopilot and other automated systems so much that their hand-flying skills get rusty and they may struggle to take over when the automation quits or behaves unexpectedly.
Context Anchor
Seen in discussions of cockpit automation, instrument flying, crew resource management, and accident prevention.
Derivation
Automation' comes from Greek 'automatos' meaning 'self-acting.' 'Addiction' is used here in its broader sense of habitual dependence, not in the medical sense. Together the phrase describes a habitual dependence on systems that act on the pilot's behalf.
Why Pilots Care
Excessive dependence increases the risk of loss of control when automation disengages unexpectedly or provides misleading information.
Analogy
It is like using a car’s navigation system so much that you stop noticing road signs. The tool is helpful, but if it is wrong or stops working, you need enough awareness to continue safely.
Intuition Check
Automation addiction does not mean automation is bad. It means the pilot is using automation as a substitute for active monitoring, understanding, and flying skill.
Example Sentence 1
The training program now includes regular hand-flown approaches to guard against automation addiction.
Example Sentence 2
Training programs now include manual flying segments to prevent automation addiction from developing in new first officers.