Penguins, birds, and pilot knowledge: can an overlooked attribute of human cognition explain our most puzzling aircraft accidents?

dc.contributor.authorClewley, Richard
dc.contributor.authorNixon, Jim
dc.date.accessioned2020-10-12T14:36:24Z
dc.date.available2020-10-12T14:36:24Z
dc.date.issued2020-10-06
dc.description.abstractObjective: We extend the theory of conceptual categories to flight safety events, to understand variations in pilot event knowledge. Background: Experienced, highly trained pilots sometimes fail to recognize events, resulting in procedures not being followed, damaging safety. Recognition is supported by typical, representative members of a concept. Variations in typicality (“gradients”) could explain variations in pilot knowledge, and hence recognition. The role of simulations and everyday flight operations in the acquisition of useful, flexible concepts is poorly understood. We illustrate uses of the theory in understanding the industry-wide problem of nontypical events. Method: One hundred and eighteen airline pilots responded to scenario descriptions, rating them for typicality and indicating the source of their knowledge about each scenario. Results: Significant variations in typicality in flight safety event concepts were found, along with key gradients that may influence pilot behavior. Some concepts were linked to knowledge gained in simulator encounters, while others were linked to real flight experience. Conclusion: Explicit training of safety event concepts may be an important adjunct to what pilots may variably glean from simulator or operational flying experiences, and may result in more flexible recognition and improved response. Application: Regulators, manufacturers, and training providers can apply these principles to develop new approaches to pilot training that better prepare pilots for event diversityen_UK
dc.identifier.citationClewley R, Nixon J. (2022) Penguins, birds, and pilot knowledge: can an overlooked attribute of human cognition explain our most puzzling aircraft accidents? Human Factors, Volume 64, Issue 4, June 2022, pp. 662-674en_UK
dc.identifier.issn0018-7208
dc.identifier.urihttps://doi.org/10.1177/0018720820960877
dc.identifier.urihttps://dspace.lib.cranfield.ac.uk/handle/1826/15875
dc.language.isoenen_UK
dc.publisherSageen_UK
dc.rightsAttribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International*
dc.rights.urihttp://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/*
dc.subjectaviation safetyen_UK
dc.subjectknowledgeen_UK
dc.subjectfamiliarityen_UK
dc.subjecttypicalityen_UK
dc.subjectconceptsen_UK
dc.titlePenguins, birds, and pilot knowledge: can an overlooked attribute of human cognition explain our most puzzling aircraft accidents?en_UK
dc.typeArticleen_UK

Files

Original bundle
Now showing 1 - 1 of 1
Loading...
Thumbnail Image
Name:
Penguins_birds_and_pilot_knowledge-2020.pdf
Size:
2.09 MB
Format:
Adobe Portable Document Format
Description:
License bundle
Now showing 1 - 1 of 1
No Thumbnail Available
Name:
license.txt
Size:
1.63 KB
Format:
Item-specific license agreed upon to submission
Description: