For example, the flow of external visual cues from the cockpit of an aircraft is translated by the pilot into meaningful concepts of aircraft altitude and velocity. Cognitive mapping is used to access from memory the information needed to give meaning to the pattern perceived in the stimulus. This new meaning can be stored, integrated with other information, or used to make a decision. A cognitive risk analysis assessing the potential risk and utility for each of these options will ultimately control the decision-making process of the pilot. Ability to detect and perceive is affected by signal sensitivity.
Skilled pilots can select signals from environmental noise better than non-skilled pilots.
Skilled pilots are also stronger at determining when a signal does not exist. These considerations are used in designing human-centered aircraft systems. As an example, instruments that provide high-frequency signal transmission should be located central to the pilot's view. Spatial and verbal information is held in short-term working memory. The number of items in short-term memory cannot exceed about seven elements.