Toward Compatibility in Aeromobility
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Abstract
Past accidents with the Boeing 737 MAX have brought to light the dynamics behind the development of aviation technology and how these impact different stakeholders in the aviation industry, which is known for its siloing practices. Using the investigation of the tragic accident of Lion Air 610 as an exploratory case, we reveal how different forces in the aerospace industry are shaping the ongoing narrative of the Boeing 737 MAX. One way of examining this narrative is through the perspective of distributed situation awareness (DSA). We then argue that focusing on ethnographic storytelling to investigate DSA can highlight compatibility between different groups in aviation. We seek to cultivate more curiosity across seemingly incompatible fields in mobility: for social scientists to explore the world of air transport standards and safety, and for aviation professionals to recognize the value of ethnographic approaches in such studies.
Contributor Notes
David de Jong is an experienced airline pilot specialized in human factors. Throughout his career working for multiple airlines, he has been exploring the role that diversity plays in the global airline industry. He is currently finishing the MSc in Human Factors and System Safety at Lund University in Sweden with a focus on how diversity in a global operation can be supported. Email: synergy@co-bana.co
Tina Harris is Associate Professor of Anthropology at the University of Amsterdam. She works on topics related to infrastructure, mobility, and borders, specifically focusing on ethnographies of aviation. Her latest work-in-progress is a narrative nonfiction book on the future of air travel. Email: c.h.harris@uva.nl