Proposition of the Article
Flight crews are susceptible to a phenomenon that I call skyway hypnosis, an altered trance state of mind manifesting in momentary lapses of attention. This phenomenon can compromise alertness and situational awareness, potentially leading to errors. It is a specific mental state that may be induced by prolonged fixation of attention on a single object and other factors. This article examines the brain’s underpinnings of skyway hypnosis and mind wandering, exploring the contributing factors and offering evidence-based strategies for mitigating this human psychological phenomenon.
Just as an aircraft deviates from its intended heading due to the influence of wind and currents, or a vessel drifts off course under the influence of water currents, our minds can be similarly affected by the underlying currents of our subconscious thought processes. This mental drift, analogous to the navigational concept of drift, represents the divergence of attention between our intended mental trajectory and the actual course of our conscious awareness. These subconscious currents, constantly flowing beneath the threshold of conscious perception, can exert a powerful influence, diverting our attention and focus from the task at hand, particularly during monotonous or low-stimulation tasks.
Mind Wandering and Attention Loss
When we talk of Skyway Hypnosis at avcox, we refer to the unintentional drift into Mental Autopilot that occurs during flight operations especially during long haul and ultra long-haul flights. While it could be associated with fatigue, it represents a complex interplay of physiological and psychological factors that disrupt normal attentional function. There are several key neurological mechanisms that contribute to the decline in alertness. Monotonous and repetitious sensory input that can lull the brain into a state of detachment. This monotony, often present during long flights, can create a mental disconnect from the critical task at hand.
Radar Fascination and Trance
The phenomenon of radar fascination, where operators become captivated by repetitive radar patterns and lose situational awareness, is a feature in maritime and military accounts. This phenomenon, rooted in the hypnotic effects of prolonged fixation, offers valuable insights into the psychology of attention and its impact on cognitive performance.
Tracing back to the pioneering work of 19th-century Scottish surgeon James Braid, we find the foundation of this understanding. Braid, focusing on the physiological effects of fixation of attention, observed that sustained concentration on a single object or stimulus could induce a state of heightened suggestibility. This state, often characterized as a trance, can render individuals more susceptible to suggestions and changes in behavior.
The principle of fixation of attention is evident in various scenarios, including the monitoring of weather radar in glass cockpit arrays. The intense focus on a single point, such as a fixed point on the horizon or the moon in the vast expanse of the sky, can also trigger a similar state of trance, potentially leading to lapses in attention.
While these lapses are temporary, with the brain naturally switching between periods of heightened focus and rest, the potential for missing critical information during these brief periods of mind wandering remains a serious concern. Understanding the underlying mechanisms of fixation of attention and developing strategies to combat its effects becomes crucial in situations demanding sustained vigilance and awareness.
Pilots train to follow specific visual scan patterns, typically beginning with the primary flight instruments (airspeed, altitude, attitude, heading) and progressing through other critical gauges, such as engine instruments, navigation systems, and communication devices. This pattern, practiced repeatedly in simulators and during actual flights, becomes ingrained in muscle memory, enabling pilots to perform the scan quickly and efficiently. One must factor in the susceptibility of the human mind to the psychological effects of these repetitive mundane tasks, with their corresponding conditioning and unchanging stimuli, particularly when combined with fatigue or lack of engagement. Human Factors and Crew Resource Management training deal with aspects of fatigue, however we at avcox believe that awareness of the trance phenomenon may prove useful knowledge in keeping crews alert and ensure teams protect each other from unconsciously zoning out on long flights. Flights are now reaching upwards of 18 hours and fatigue management is a key aspect of safe operations.
The importance of attention control is also emphasized in the training of air traffic control personnel, who must cultivate the ability to maintain vigilance and focus amidst the constant flow of information. ATC operators strive to avoid falling into states of mind wandering that can jeopardize safety.
Trance, while often associated with relaxation, can also lead to temporarily reduced awareness, impaired judgment, and decreased performance. We must be aware of the subtle currents of our minds, cultivating the ability to focus, stay present, and avoid falling into states of drifting thoughts that can potentially compromise safety.
Causes of Entering Mental Autopilot
Sensory Deprivation
The repetitive visual environment of long, unchanging flight paths, particularly over open water or flat terrain can lead to sensory deprivation. The brain, seeking stimulation, starts to drift, making it more susceptible to mind wandering.
Monotonous Stimuli
The consistent visual, auditory, and tactile stimuli of a long, stable flight can trigger sensory habituation, where the brain becomes less responsive to these unchanging inputs. This reduced responsiveness can lead to decreased vigilance and increased susceptibility to mind wandering. Prolonged flights, especially on long-haul routes or during monotonous phases like cruise can lead to a kind of cognitive fatigue.
Sensory Gating
The brain, a remarkable organ of pattern recognition, is designed to filter out redundant or unchanging sensory information. This is a way for the brain to reduce cognitive load and being more efficient. Reduced sensory input, combined with the monotony of the environment, can trigger a decline in cognitive arousal and alertness, making mind wandering more likely.
Oculomotor System and Visual Processing
Our eye movement control system, known as the oculomotor system, plays a crucial role in maintaining visual attention. Prolonged exposure to unchanging visual scenes, such as the seemingly endless expanse of the sky or familiar flight paths, can lead to a decrease in eye movements and a reliance on predicted visual information rather than actual visual input. In other words, expectant and elective attention can start to dominate, resulting in perceptual blind spots. This shift towards extra-retinal feedback can result in a reduction in visual processing efficiency and a diminished awareness of subtle changes in the environment, further contributing to zoning out and a loss of focus.
Sleep deprivation significantly impacts cognitive function. The brain, when fatigued, processes information more slowly, exhibits reduced working memory capacity, and has trouble in maintaining sustained attention. This reduced cognitive processing capacity, coupled with the sensory and oculomotor challenges of flight, can further contribute to mind wandering and a loss of focus and falling into a trance like relaxed state. What pilots need to optimize for is relaxed alertness.
Recognizing the Warning Signs
The subtle signs of skyway hypnosis can be easily overlooked, but they can signal a critical decline in cognitive function
Reduced Visual Processing
Missing critical information on instruments or failing to notice subtle changes in the environment.
Delayed or Missed Communication
Symptoms include responding slowly or failing to respond to ATC instructions. Colleagues must call the name several times to get the attention. This is like what happens in a living room, when kids are lost in cartoons or a TV program, they simply do not hear their name being called and are effectively in a TV induced trance.
Spacing Out and Reduced Awareness Feeling detached from the flight, with thoughts drifting away from the critical task at hand. Mind wandering to financial issues or family or relationships and loosing track of the current task can occur, but it’s important to stay present. Having trouble maintaining focus on the flight, finding thoughts drifting towards unrelated matters are all symptoms.
Missed Instructions or Calls
Failing to recognize or respond to ATC instructions or crew calls.
Tunnel Vision
Focusing intently on a single instrument or object, neglecting the broader view and potentially missing crucial visual information.
Daydreaming
Engaging in unrelated thoughts or fantasies, losing track of time, altitude, or position, leading to a potential loss of situational awareness.
Automation on modern airliners is so good at handling tasks onboard that crew members can become overly confident in them and must resist a loosening of attention. Training in human factors helps, but natural human tendencies require constant effort and trained vigilance to avoid unhelpful behaviors in the cockpit.
Often the best defense for this is our own professional colleagues, if you recognize the symptoms of this inform your colleague. Let them know, perhaps suggest coffee or engage in conversation, start a check list or discuss the flight plan. Help each other remain alert throughout the flight. It is a team effort and in everyone’s best interest.
Maintaining Optimal Attention and Focus
Pilots can employ several strategies to minimize the risk of Skyway Hypnosis and maintain optimal cognitive performance.
First and foremost is ensuring that they take full advantage of the rest periods between duty periods and prioritize adequate rest and quality sleep. Much of the effects of Skyway Hypnosis are preventable through decent sleep patterns.
Strategic Rest and Rejuvenation. FTL Flight Time Limitations are there to ensure safety, it’s your duty to make adequate use of the rest periods.
Regular rest breaks, even brief naps or periods of light meditation can help refresh the mind and restore cognitive function. Some pilots have reported to us that Mindfulness practices during off duty time has helped them optimize their performance and mental states while flying.
Engaging in Cognitive Stimulation Helps
Active conversation with crew members, engaging in mental exercises, or even simply focusing on the flow of air traffic control communications can help maintain alertness and cognitive engagement.
Optimizing Sleep and Hydration
Prioritizing adequate sleep before flights and maintaining proper hydration throughout can significantly improve cognitive function and resistance to fatigue.
Coffee can also help, use sparingly and strategically
Caffeine, while offering a temporary boost in alertness, should be used strategically, avoiding over-reliance and ensuring proper hydration to minimize potential negative effects.
Posture and Physiology
Maintaining good posture and engaging in periodic stretching exercises can improve blood flow, reduce muscular fatigue, and promote alertness.
Continuous Monitoring and Self Awareness
Pilots must be aware of their own cognitive state, proactively monitoring for signs of skyway hypnosis and taking immediate action to mitigate the risk.
Pilots may also refer to the section on Focus in our Top Mind Mental Training course, for further information on developing that skill.
Purpose of this article is to create awareness and help inoculate crews against these human factors concerns.
The human mind is not immune to the subtle dangers of mind wandering. The effects of repetition, monotony, and fatigue can lead us into states of diminished awareness, compromising our performance in critical situations. From the pilots to the air traffic controllers to marine shipping crews, vigilance against these mental traps requires knowledge and skill. The aim of this article is to promote understanding of the psychology of attention in the aviation context, and provide effective simple strategies to combat mind wandering, and help to continue to always keep the travelling public and themselves safe.
Thank you for your attention!
Noel Cox
Principal Aviation Consultant at avcox
References and Further Information
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P. Cabon et al. Research and guidelines for implementing fatigue risk management systems for the French regional airlines
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8. O.S. Palsson, Z. Kekecs, G. De Benedittis, D. Moss, G. Elkins, D.B. Terhune, et al. Current practices, experiences, and views in clinical hypnosis: findings of an international survey Int. J. Clin. Exp. Hypn., 71 (2) (2023), 10.1080/00207144.2023.2183862
9. A. Vanhaudenhuyse, S. Laureys, M.E. Faymonville Neurophysiology of hypnosis Neurophysiol. Clin., 44 (4) (2014), 10.1016/j.neucli.2013.09.006
10. The psychology of attention by Ribot, Th. (Théodule), 1890
11. Top Mind Mental Training for Aviation and Aerospace Professionals, www.avcox.com/humansustainability
12. It's All In Your Mind, Noel Cox, www.avcox.com/books
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