Distributed cognition in flight operations

Abstract

Human Factors is no longer simply concerned with the design of equipment and work stations. This old view is being superseded by a systems-based approach which examines all aspects of the working environment and makes little or no attempt to separate the human, machine and task environment. This socio-technical systems approach complements the latest thinking from cognitive science which regards the human use of technological artifacts as a joint cognitive system. People work in teams, who all have a slightly different perspective of the system; the tools that they use serve as 'cognitive amplifiers' to enhance human abilities. This brief overview begins by examining the operation of commercial aircraft as a joint cognitive system and examines the role of CRM in promoting distributed cognition on the flight deck. © 2013 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg.