Human brains are trained for pattern recognition
from seemingly random clues. As the race was evolving, the
ability to identify dangerous conditions on little data was a
definite survival trait. One common threat was from some
OTHER proto-human. So the human race grew up to recognize
faces of people hiding in bushes or rocks.
Today, there's no real need for such talent...but most folks still have it. It's called "Pareidolia". It's why folks see Elvis' face in a slice of French toast, or Trotsky staring glumly from wall below a leaky gutter.
Pilots have another aspect of this trait: The ability to see an airplane out of very few visual clues. Something that could be a wing, plus something that could be a fuselage. Any bent stick looks like a Northrup Flying Wing. That sort of thing. I call it "Aerodolia."
But what of when the the entire BACKGROUND is airplanes? Does one's special airplane stand out?
Ran into that this weekend at the Arlington Fly-In. Landed, taxied in, parked, wandered down to the exhibit area, then realize I didn't know exactly where the plane was at. Stepped down the path a bit, scanned the mass of airplanes....
...and picked out Moonraker almost immediately, about six rows away.
Strange how that works.
Can YOU find the Fly Baby in this photo?
Today, there's no real need for such talent...but most folks still have it. It's called "Pareidolia". It's why folks see Elvis' face in a slice of French toast, or Trotsky staring glumly from wall below a leaky gutter.
Pilots have another aspect of this trait: The ability to see an airplane out of very few visual clues. Something that could be a wing, plus something that could be a fuselage. Any bent stick looks like a Northrup Flying Wing. That sort of thing. I call it "Aerodolia."
But what of when the the entire BACKGROUND is airplanes? Does one's special airplane stand out?
Ran into that this weekend at the Arlington Fly-In. Landed, taxied in, parked, wandered down to the exhibit area, then realize I didn't know exactly where the plane was at. Stepped down the path a bit, scanned the mass of airplanes....
...and picked out Moonraker almost immediately, about six rows away.
Strange how that works.
Can YOU find the Fly Baby in this photo?
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