CFIT and the overreliance on Automation – from the FAASTeam
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Technological advances in situational awareness have dramatically reduced the number of general aviation controlled flight into terrain (CFIT) accidents. However, the General Aviation Joint Steering Committee (GAJSC) has found that reliance on automation is a precursor to CFIT events. They found that automation use contributed to visual meteorological condition (VMC) and instrument meteorological condition (IMC) accidents in day and night flight conditions. Awareness of automation limitations and pilot proficiency in flying with and without automation are key to safe flight operations.
It was his first airplane trip at age seven that made Eric decide to become a pilot. "While boarding the airplane, a flight attendant noticed my interest in the flight deck and urged me to go talk to the pilot. I give a lot of credit to that pilot for my career choice." Eric earned a bachelor’s degree in finance and went on to an airline career. He learned to fly at Sporty’s as part of the University of Cincinnati’s Professional Pilot Program, an initiative he later directed.Eric now manages Sporty’s media network including FlightTrainingCentral.com. In addition, Eric serves as a Captain in a Cincinnati-based corporate flight department.
Latest posts by Eric Radtke (see all)
- Webinar: Checkride Insights with Catherine Cavagnaro - September 8, 2026
- You Know How to Use Your Autopilot. But Do You Understand It? - September 4, 2026
- VFR Flight Following: A Pilot’s Guide - August 31, 2026
