Impact of New Technologies on the Decision-Making Process of Pilots onboard Next-Generation Aircraft

This study analyzed the influence of new technologies on the decision-making process of pilots operating NextGeneration aircrafts, focusing on how advanced automation, cockpit digitization, and the integration of intelligent software solutions have reconfigured the pilot's cognitive and operational role. An exploratory qualitative approach was adopted, based on a literature review and documentary analysis of technical and regulatory reports from bodies such as the FAA, EASA, and ICAO, as well as from aircraft manufacturers. The databases used included Google Scholar, CAPES Journals, and the ITA Library, covering publications from 2009 to 2025, a period marked by the consolidation of fly-by-wire systems, integrated digital glass cockpits, and the initial applications of embedded artificial intelligence. The results revealed that while these innovations enhance precision and operational efficiency, they also introduce new cognitive vulnerabilities, such as complacency, mode confusion, and degradation of manual skills, requiring continuous training and neurocognitive adaptation. It is concluded that next-generation aircraft represent an undeniable advancement for civil aviation, but human autonomy and supervision remain essential for operational safety. Therefore, the balance between technology and human factors should guide interface design, pilot training and certification programs, ensuring assertive decisions aligned with international regulatory principles.

Keywords: Human factors, decision-making, safety, automation, pilot training, situational awareness, artificial intelligence.