FEAST Visual Perception and Memory Questions and Answers

Question 1

An ATCO receives a handover for an aircraft, "Lufthansa 123, will be with you in one minute, level at FL340, squawking 5521." The controller must retain this information to identify the aircraft when it appears on their screen.
This short-term retention and manipulation of information is primarily a function of:

Accepted Answer

Working memory

Answer

Long-term memory

Answer

Sensory memory

Answer

Procedural memory

Question 2

While a controller is focused on resolving a complex conflict between two aircraft in the northern part of their sector, the destination airport code in the data block of a third, non-conflicting aircraft in the southern part changes. The controller fails to notice this update for several minutes. This specific type of perceptual error is best described as:

Accepted Answer

Change blindness

Answer

Inattentional blindness

Answer

Expectation bias

Answer

Sensory adaptation

Question 3

Which of the following is a critical characteristic of an expert air traffic controller's visual scan of a radar display, essential for maintaining high situational awareness?

Accepted Answer

A systematic and disciplined pattern of short fixations covering all relevant areas

Answer

Prolonged fixation on aircraft with the highest groundspeed

Answer

A continuous, smooth pursuit movement across the entire screen

Answer

Primarily focusing on the center of the sector where traffic is usually densest

Question 4

A data block on a radar screen briefly flashes a "CFL" (Cleared Flight Level) alert for a fraction of a second. Even though the controller's gaze was not directly on that specific block, they retain a fleeting visual impression of the flash. This ultra-short-term visual buffer is known as:

Accepted Answer

Iconic memory

Answer

Working memory

Answer

Short-term memory

Answer

Echoic memory

Question 5

An experienced controller seems to "see" the traffic in 3D, anticipating future conflicts long before they become critical on the 2D display. This advanced situational awareness is built upon a well-developed internal representation of the airspace and traffic flow, known as a:

Accepted Answer

Mental model

Answer

Cognitive map

Answer

Procedural script

Answer

Sensory buffer

Question 6

On an approach controller's screen, three aircraft are displayed on the same final approach path, spaced equally apart and flying at the same speed. The controller instinctively perceives them as a single "arrival sequence" rather than three independent targets. This is a direct application of which Gestalt principle of perception?

Accepted Answer

Common Fate

Answer

Proximity

Answer

Closure

Answer

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