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An Analysis of the Navigator's Task

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  18 January 2010

F. Latham
Affiliation:
(Institute of Aviation Medicine)
J. Spencer
Affiliation:
(Institute of Aviation Medicine)

Extract

The growing complexity and variety of navigator techniques and equipment, associated with a marked increase in aircraft speed, necessitates a more detailed investigation of the navigator's task. Despite an increase in the range and automaticity of navigational aids, the demands made upon him are changing their character, and are in danger of being excessively high.

A detailed recording of navigator activity in flight seems the only practical approach to this problem. The knowledge gained by such a task analysis would be expected to furnish information on the following aspects:

(a) Objective evidence of fatigue effects.

(b) The effects of experience on the navigator's work pattern.

(c) The need, if any, for the modification of training methods.

(d) Equipment layout and design in relation to efficiency.

(e) Practical specification of the navigator's layout.

(f) Indications of specific situations which may with advantage be subjected to laboratory investigation.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
Copyright © The Royal Institute of Navigation 1956

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References

REFERENCES

1Christensen, J. M. (1949). In-fight activities of navigators in the Atlantic and Pacific areas October, U.S.A.F. Technical Report No. 5771, (1950). Comparison of Navigator activities in high and mid-latitudes. U.S.A.F. Technical Report No. 6027.Google Scholar
2Reid, D. D. (1947). Psychological disorders in fying personnel of the Royal Air Force investigated during the war 1939–1945. Air Publication No. 3139, 3 2 1. H.M. Stationery Office.Google Scholar