The airspace as a cognitive system

Abstract

The theme for this special issue, the airspace as a cognitive system, stimulates these questions: What is a cognitive system and in what sense can we characterize the airspace as a cognitive system? I discuss these questions by reviewing ideas promoted in discussions of distributed cognition. I conclude that this notion of the airspace as a cognitive system offers considerable leverage for addressing the anticipated design challenges in airspace systems but that we need to avoid the distortions engendered by the pervasive techno-centric emphasis in systems design in favor of a human-focused emphasis that will aid development of robust and effective systems. © 2011 Taylor & Francis Group, LLC.