Performance Based Navigation through Psychoeconomic Lens: Part III - weighing the costs

Performance Based Navigation (PBN) relies on waypoints. This means that the Atco will rely less on bearings from navigational aids to effect separation minima and more on specific coordinates. As such, air spaces can be structured to expediently manage air traffic and reduce the delays that result from the process of ATC.  But the implementation of PBN inevitably carries hidden costs. What are these hidden costs? And how can ATC units avoid having potential white elephants? 

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Performance Based Navigation through Psychoeconomic Lens: Part II - the socioeconomic and organizational economic perspective

An overabundance of  visual stimuli can overwhelm the ATCO 

The previous post highlighted the psychological perspective of Performance Based Navigation (PBN): that PBN increases the risk of interference to the ATCO's attention. 

Much of our ATC is done with the superficial layers of memory: sensory memory -  short term memory (STM) - working memory which, is susceptible to interference that decrease attentiveness. What is the basis for the link between attention and our STM/working memory combined? Also what can a mosaic of Van Gogh's painting teach us about the socioeconomic cost of PBN to the controller? And are there any organizational economic implications to PBN? I invite you to read on...

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Performance Based Navigation through Psychoeconomic Lens - Part I: the psychological perspective

I begin this post firstly with an apology for being late; I was trying to make a game and secondly, an invitation to play a game by clicking on Concentration. Take note of the time you take to solve the puzzle. This is just one of several games used in psychology to demonstrate the role of memory. I am still working on a game for Atcos that I will post when I am done.

For the next 3 or 4 posts, I will focus on the psychoeconomic perspective of Performance Based Navigation (PBN). For this first part, I focus on the psychological aspect of PBN. Please read on if you would like to know more... 

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Narcissism in ATC

Art by John William Waterhouse

Using a scale of 1-4, with 1 = "NO" and 4 = "YES", rate the following statements* about yourself:-

1) When people compliment me, I sometimes get embarrassed.

2) I think I am a special person.

3) I find it easy to manipulate people.

4) I usually get the respect that I deserve.

5) Sometimes I tell good stories.

6) I hope that I am going to be successful.

7) I can make anybody believe anything that I want them to.

8) I am extraordinary.

* (taken from D.R. Ames et al, 2006)

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The Trojan Horse Principle in Atc

Art by S. Schuenke

It was evening. The Trojans saw the large wooden horse outside their city. 

A Grecian soldier pretending to desert the army said that the horse was a gift offering to Athena, the goddess of war and giver of military strength. He added that the 'gift' was too large to pass through the city's gates. 

The Trojans rose to the challenge of getting the offering to their prized Athena. They destroyed part of their wall and dragged their 'gift' inside. We know how the legend ended. 

The question is, what lesson can we take from Homer's Iliad and apply to our Atc scenario?

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Appreciating the Role of Data in Atc: Part III - Highlights of a study on Fatigue

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Appreciating the role of data in Atc - Part II: Using Empirical Studies in Atc

Take a look at the illustration below. A 12th century engineer is proposing the construction of the tower of Pisa. Can you recognise the link between data evidence or empirical studies and the engineer's photo of the proposed Tower? What do you think he is trying to suggest by his words at the side of the photo?

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Appreciating the role of data in Atc: Part I - Methods of Data Anaylsis

Preview Questions
Part I
How do we analyse data in ATC?

Imagine that you want to buy a TV, you think about it for some time. You consult the internet. You consider the type of TV, the size, and your budget. You imagine the best place for it. You discuss the idea with other occupants of your house or apartment. You talk with friends too. You consult the internet again. When you go to the store you ask the sales' clerk for an opinion and then you decide. Data analyses follow the exact methodology.

Did you know that data analysis forms part of your daily activities?

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