What makes FMS programming risky during high workload?

• A. It has no effect on workload
• B. It can distract both pilots and create task saturation
• C. It eliminates need for manual navigation
• D. It improves situational awareness

Answer: (B)

Performing FMS programming during high workload increases cognitive demand and can pull attention away from other critical tasks. Entering the route, speeds, altitudes, and constraints requires reading, interpreting, and confirming data while also monitoring other flight tasks. This dual focus can cause distraction and task saturation, where the crew’s capacity to handle multiple demands is exceeded, raising the risk of errors or missed changes. Though automation is helpful, it doesn’t remove the need to manage navigation; mis-programming or overlooking steps can lead to deviations, and over-reliance on automation can sometimes reduce situational awareness rather than improve it. The risk in high workload is precisely the potential for distraction and saturation, making this option the best description of the hazard.