Situation awareness

Your brain has a certain command throughput rate at which it can process information. Don't let anyone tell you humans can multitask, we simply can't, period.

I respectfully disagree...

As both a RL Private Pilot and a nearly 30-year veteran of television production, I can tell you that it is entirely possible to develop the ability to ingest, digest and act upon multiple sources of information at once and instinctively know how to prioritize them.

When I went through my Private Pilot training, my CFI was stunned that I had no fear of the radios (flying out of Class D under Class B and next door to Class C) and he asked me how that was possible. I explained to him that I made my living wearing a headset and had to often respond to four or five different people while watching four to six video monitors while making sure I knew what I was watching and to whom I was responding.

Now obviously very few people get to experience working on Super Bowls (I've done seven), Stanley Cup Finals, MLB Playoffs, etc., but multi-tasking is a skill that can be developed if it is seriously necessary. Let's be fair here. Flight Simming is not life or death so you will never really feel the abject fear of dying* that really hones the senses like flying in combat can.

(*Being freelance, I was often one mistake away from a dead career so the crucible for me was real!)

"Situational" Sorry I had to.

Oki doki, will correct the title :), constructive input is always welcome.

I find Tacview to be an invaluable tool for working out what just happened.

Yes it is, i have to install it.

Also identify your problem, stop the sim and deal with it. Currently for my case, is spotting targets on ground with mark one eyeball and being able to yank and bank and still have an idea where the target is.

 

No harm in using all the tools for training on these things :)

 

Case 1 recovery is a great example of a lot that has to be done in a very short time.

 

Try and break it up. Real pilots learn in sections as well :)

This is a good idea too, thanks man.

I respectfully disagree...

Looney is right, humans can't truly multitask. We can learn to task switch between multiple activities rapidly with practice and that's it.

Looney is right, humans can't truly multitask.

I suppose it depends on your definition of "multi task"

Consider the different tasks the hand, arm, leg and feet perform when hot dogging a helicopter.:pilotfly:

Looney is right, humans can't truly multitask. We can learn to task switch between multiple activities rapidly with practice and that's it.

Ah, i tend to disagree, you can multitask but it takes practie and time. In some instances you have to.

Multitasking skills come from experience, and repetition .... at some point you do it and everything clicks in, the music .....

Your brain can be focused on something but still being able to process information coming from another source and determine if it is a "threat" or not and if it is you switch task. I was myself surprised when it did happen to me.

But you have to work on it, you need to be rested, alert and focused, not overly focused but in a relaxed focused mode which allows you to process multiple informations at once. You have to multitask to some extent.

Ah, i tend to disagree, you can multitask but it takes practie and time. In some instances you have to.

 

Multitasking skills come from experience, and repetition .... at some point you do it and everything clicks in, the music .....

 

Your brain can be focused on something but still being able to process information coming from another source and determine if it is a "threat" or not and if it is you switch task. I was myself surprised when it did happen to me.

 

But you have to work on it, you need to be rested, alert and focused, not overly focused but in a relaxed focused mode which allows you to process multiple informations at once. You have to multitask to some extent.

Nah, still not multi-tasking. Think of our brains like single core CPUs. Both can only process one operation at a time, but do so many so quickly it seems like we're doing them at the same time. Learning is like optimising a programme so it takes up less processing requirements to the point where it barely takes up any processing power at all. And both can get overloaded to the point where they drop tasks or crash completely :)

Just do a google search, all the top articles say we can't do it.

Just do a google search, all the top articles say we can't do it.

You are right. We shoulldnt be able to fly two helicopters at the same time. :megalol:

Nah, still not multi-tasking. Think of our brains like single core CPUs.

First define your meaning of multi tasking. Second, no amount of thinking is going to equate the brains and it's states to a single core cpu.

How about taking a look into this yourself instead of just telling me I'm wrong?

https://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=95256794

https://www.scienceabc.com/humans/can-humans-actually-multitask.html

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Human_multitasking

None of those studies conclude that multi tasking is impossible or that humans cannot do it.

Of course, learning new things while multitasking will degrade the multi tasking efficiency.

The studies even go on to suggest that not only are there multi taskers there are also super taskers.

Sqn Ladd Jeremy Polk in his book regarding GA in the Falklands gives credit to his instructors insist they study the maps and visualise the route, Nothing Hi tech on a GR3, I found it very useful in simulation too, but yes it,s easy to get saturated, that’s why I didn’t make it as a real pilot, but it’s good fun

None of those studies conclude that multi tasking is impossible or that humans cannot do it.

Of course, learning new things while multitasking will degrade the multi tasking efficiency.

 

The studies even go on to suggest that not only are there multi taskers there are also super taskers.

If you think that the lack of a proof of A means B must be true, there's probably not much point in me trying to argue with you.

If you think that the lack of a proof of A means B must be true, there's probably not much point in me trying to argue with you.

Just as well. Dealing with absolutes is tiresome.

Nah, still not multi-tasking. Think of our brains like single core CPUs. Both can only process one operation at a time, but do so many so quickly it seems like we're doing them at the same time. Learning is like optimising a programme so it takes up less processing requirements to the point where it barely takes up any processing power at all. And both can get overloaded to the point where they drop tasks or crash completely :)

 

Just do a google search, all the top articles say we can't do it.

So, pilots do not multitask ?

First define your meaning of multi tasking. Second, no amount of thinking is going to equate the brains and it's states to a single core cpu.

There is no need to define a "meaning" of multi-tasking. Science has already agreed on a definition.

Every argument can be turned by "redefining" the definition of the word(s) used.

The definition of multi tasking in science should be the baseline... and like said before, there is a common agreement that a human brain can not multi task in the terms of that definition.

It can rapidly process and switch between tasks, but it can't "process" in parallel... though we need to understand subconscious tasks, like heartbeat, breathing etc. are done in parallel, but the brainparts involved can not process any other tasks, so they don't qualify for multi tasking as per definition.

What is your definition of multi tasking, by the way?

There is no need to define a "meaning" of multi-tasking. Science has already agreed on a definition.

Every argument can be turned by "redefining" the definition of the word(s) used.

The definition of multi tasking in science should be the baseline... and like said before, there is a common agreement that a human brain can not multi task in the terms of that definition.

It can rapidly process and switch between tasks, but it can't "process" in parallel... though we need to understand subconscious tasks, like heartbeat, breathing etc. are done in parallel, but the brainparts involved can not process any other tasks, so they don't qualify for multi tasking as per definition.

 

What is your definition of multi tasking, by the way?

Basically that scientific definition is making all the studies the US AIR FORCE does or other air forces irrevelant ?

Basically you are telling me that when i fly an ILS approach in IMC to the minimums i do not multitask .... i just react out of habits ? this is what your study is saying ?

Me answering to challenges from the checklist, adjusting power and pitch to be on the glide slope and localizer, rememoring the go-around procedure while doing all the rest i mentionned ...is just me acting out of habit ? and at the same time i keep an eye on that vfr traffic on the TCAS, and i also keep an ear open to what the captin tells me and to what ATC is telling the guy who is holding short, yeah right .... i am sorry but i am multitasking and i don´t care what some scientist behind his desk has managed to vomit.

Working in parallel and switch between task ..... then my brain has to be USAIN BOLT !!!

Basically that scientific definition is making all the studies the US AIR FORCE does or other air forces irrevelant ?

 

Basically you are telling me that when i fly an ILS approach in IMC to the minimums i do not multitask .... i just react out of habits ? this is what your study is saying ?

 

Me answering to challenges from the checklist, adjusting power and pitch to be on the glide slope and localizer, rememoring the go-around procedure while doing all the rest i mentionned ...is just me acting out of habit ? and at the same time i keep an eye on that vfr traffic on the TCAS, and i also keep an ear open to what the captin tells me and to what ATC is telling the guy who is holding short, yeah right .... i am sorry but i am multitasking and i don´t care what some scientist behind his desk has managed to vomit.

 

Working in parallel and switch between task ..... then my brain has to be USAIN BOLT !!!

Per definition it is not possible for a man to "get a child". Still he can become a father.

The standard definition of multi tasking is "parallel processing".

As you said earlier, our brain can rapidly process and prioritize(!) input and process a lot of things by switching processing power between tasks, much, much faster than Usain Bolt (basically as fast as neurons can fire electricity, so pretty near the speed of light). Technically that is "doing a lot of things in split seconds", but not "multi tasking", as multi tasking requires parallelization.

What you did is to train the brain to rapidly prioritize and process certain input more subconscious, so it does require less time to execute an action/get a result (e.g. train a filter that recognizes audio input from different voices far quicker and more precise than the average human).

Try to walk through the streets, talk to someone walking beside you and text a complex message in parallel, without slowing down, pausing to type or stop talking... you can get pretty good at it, but if you are honest, you still get "disrupted" at one of the tasks, though with training you can far quicker shift between them as the average human being.

What is with this forum and arguing meaningless definitions to try and make everyone think you're smarter than them?

What is with this forum and arguing meaningless definitions to try and make everyone think you're smarter than them?

:megalol::megalol::lol:

Looney is right, humans can't truly multitask. We can learn to task switch between multiple activities rapidly with practice and that's it.

Yep,

Multitasking is trying to do many things badly all at once.:D

Or do one thing at a time in sequence well.:)

Haha you guys win .... call it what you want ... who cares ?

Helloy guys,

 

Right now with the F/A-18 module my biggest struggle is situation awareness.

 

I am creating missions in the Mission editor and i am trying to find ways to improve on my SA, by now i can get to the target and destroy it but man ... i am struggling to actually keep track of what is going on around me.

 

I don´t know if this is possible in the F/A-18C lot 20 but i am wondering if you have the option to actually have PPT´s (Pre Planned Threat Steerpoints?). That would allow you to place independent "waypoints" from your Navigation route and thus have the position of the known SAM´s and AAA with the possibility to draw a threat circle.

 

For example i know that i have placed a SA-8 near the bridge i am targetting, but once in the Airplane my sole indicator for "range" is my RWR .. i know the plan to implement link 16 but apart from Link16 and RWR isn´t there a way to actually display known threats on your navigation map ?

 

Or is that what the SENSOR function is for on your MPCD (to be implemented right ?)

 

 

Also, i feel a little bit cut from the outside worl due to the lack of radio communications ?

 

Let´s say i want to strike my bridge, but i need escort .... F-15C´s flying fighter sweep or CAP .... what frequency do i need to be on to hear the comms from the Eagles when they engage ? It would really help my SA to know when and where they engage etc etc ...

 

 

For now, what i do is that i have a mental picture of my target area, i draw it on a sheet of paper and then i react and anticipate accordingly.

 

 

How about you guys ?

1

In my DCS squadron we do not have access to the mission planning page. We cannot see where the threats are located. That is why we have a mission briefing prior to wheels up. This is your SA start.

2

If you don't know your plane, if you have to "think" to fly it or work the combat systems, you probably won't survive the mission. This is what training is for. Combat is not the time to try out something new. Often you have to react instinctively to survive.

3

The F10 map, in our missions - no SA. You don't see airports, ships, targets etc. Just the real estate and bullseye.

4

Don't leave the ground without good coordinates for your bullseye, target and home base. Know where YOU are going. Don't depend on following someone else who has them. Work out your own coordinates in advance if you are not provided any.

5

Learn to depend upon your flight lead or wing men. Their eyeballs can contribute greatly to your SA.

6

Left ear - communication with your flight. Right ear - mission controllers.

Know your radio frequencies before wheels up.

6

Left ear - communication with your flight. Right ear - mission controllers.

Know your radio frequencies before wheels up.

A brief Internetting story...

Me, about to post this question: "Is there a way to split which radio goes in which ear?"

Me, hesitating: I should check settings in SRS.

Me, having checked settings in SRS: "Holy shit guys, you can designate channels to different ears."