Enough Fluff: Returning to Meaningful Perspectives on Automation

This manuscript, produced by a Department of Transportation employee, was submitted for publication to the 41st Digital Avionics Systems Conference, September 18-22, 2022, Portsmouth, VA.As society progresses towards increased automation in aviation\u2014such as with Advanced Air Mobility and Unmanned Aircraft Systems\u2014it is important to have a common understanding and perspective about automation among the many stakeholders, including aviation system designers, operators, maintainers, and regulatory authorities. Unfortunately, the discourse is hindered by misleading perspectives, assumptions, claims, and terminology