Accident, incident and anecdotal evidence indicate that the
introduction of new technology to aviation has generally resulted
in benefits to safety and efficiency (Norman and Abbott 1988).
Information published by Boeing Commercial Airplanes indicates that
in general, accident rates have been declining with each successive
technological advance over the last thirty years (Boeing 1988).
However, new technology has also resulted in a range of new human
factors and operational difficulties. New tools invariably change
the way a job is done and new aircraft are no exception. The work
of pilots and other airline personnel is being changed by the
introduction of new technology and although most of the changes are
likely to be beneficial or benign, some may be undesirable.