Fixating is defined as which behavior?

• A. Cross-checking
• B. Situational awareness
• C. Fixating
• D. Scanning

Answer: (C)

Fixating is focusing intently on a single object or cue for too long, which narrows your attention and reduces awareness of the rest of the cockpit and the outside environment. In flight, this means staring at one instrument, one point on the horizon, or a single cue and not actively scanning for other sources of information. That narrowed focus can cause you to miss traffic, weather developments, altitude or attitude changes, and other hazards. The goal is continuous, systematic scanning that gathers information from multiple sources to maintain a clear picture of what’s happening around you. Cross-checking involves comparing indications from different sources to verify accuracy, while situational awareness is the overall understanding of your aircraft’s position and what could affect it. Scanning is the deliberate process of moving your eyes and attention through the flight environment to collect that information. So the behavior described by fixating—focusing on one thing at the expense of broader awareness—is precisely what this term defines.