The introduction of new technology to aviation has generally resulted in benefits to safety and efficiency, but has also resulted in a range of new human factors and operational difficulties. BASl's Advanced Aircraft Research Project began in response to a number of perceived problems, which included data entry errors, monitoring failures, mode selection errors and the inappropriate manipulation of automated systems.

For the purpose of this study, advanced technology aircraft, or automated aircraft, are defined as aircraft equipped with cathode ray tubeshquid crystal
displays and flight management systems, such as Boeing 737-300, Boeing 747-400, Boeing 777, Airbus A310, A320 and A340.