What question signals mode confusion?

• A. What is the altitude now?
• B. Why is the autopilot engaged?
• C. 'What’s it doing now?'
• D. Where is the heading data?

Answer: (C)

Mode confusion shows up when you’re unsure which automation mode is active and what the automation is actually doing. The question that signals this uncertainty is the one asking what the system is doing right now, because it directly seeks to confirm the current action or mode governing the aircraft. If a crew member asks “What’s it doing now?”, they’re trying to reconcile their mental model of the automation with the aircraft’s behavior, which is exactly what mode confusion is about.

The other questions pull in different directions. Asking for the current altitude is a straightforward data check, not about understanding the automation’s mode. Questioning why the autopilot is engaged targets the reason for activation, not the current mode status. Asking where the heading data is comes down to data sourcing rather than the active mode or behavior of the automation.