Human Factors

 HUMAN FACTORS

Human factors has gained an important role in modern aviation. According to the FAA "Human Factors is defined as a “multidisciplinary effort to generate and compile information about human capabilities and limitations and apply that information to equipment, systems, facilities, procedures, jobs, environments, training, staffing, and personnel management for safe, comfortable, and effective human performance” (p. 1). 

Personally, I define human factors as anything related that affects  performance that is unrelated to technical skills. In past decades, the main focus of airlines, federal agencies and manufacturers was on technical skills. Training was targeted to improve only the pilot´s handling and knowledge of the airplane and its system. Nowadays training has diversified into several layers, taking into account that accidents occur mostly for pilot error. Training is now developed in a way that takes into consideration the human factor of aircraft operation. One key aspect of this is communication, which is part of Crew Resource Management. 

One clear example of the importance of group communication is during critical phases of flight. The FAA established a mandatory regulation: below 10,000 ft. conversations inside the cockpit should only be related to the operation of the aircraft. During emergencies communications must be even more efficient in order to convey just the necessary information to controllers and crew in order to ensure the best possible outcome. 

References

Federal Aviation Administration (n.d.). Role of Human Factor in the FAA. http://www.hf.faa.gov/media/RoleOfHF-FAA.pdf 

Aviation Consulting Group (n.d.). [Image of different words]. Aviation Consulting Group. https://www.tacgworldwide.com/Human-Factors-Training

Intelligence and CBP

Intelligence and Customs and Border Protection 

One of the rising threats in aviation, specially in civil transportation, is the rise in illegal immigrants. Thousand of immigrants access through ports of entry in the U.S. with short term visas and unlawfully remain in the country after their permit expires. There has been a significant rise in this cases as the affordability of air travel increases and since there are some countries that are in domestic conflict. According to Robert Warren, there has been a major increase in undocumented population in India and Venezuela, causing a rise in illegal overstays in the United States.

 (Warren,2019)

This represents a major threat to Americans, as a considerable percentage of these immigrants often commit criminal activities and are involved in drug trafficking. Intelligence plays an important role here. Intelligence agencies can identify countries of risk, which are more likely to have undocumented immigrants,people trying to overstay or criminals trying to lay low, and order restrictions or more exhaustive interviews when applying for the visa. These agencies must work conjunctly with Customs and Border Protection agents, as they are the first line of defense in all ports of entry. Identifying this risk groups  allows CBP agents in airports and other ports to better target their screenings, interviews and inspections. 

Intelligence efforts needs multilateral work, so airlines must also be included to share any suspicious activities during flight.

References

Warren, R. (2019). Sharp Multilayer Decline in Undocumented Suggests Progress at US-Mexico Border, Not a National Emergency. Center for Migration Studies. 

Aircraft Systems: Oil System

OIL SYSTEM

One of the most important systems in an aircraft is the oil system. In this blog. In this blog I will be talking about the importance of this system in an airplane. The main purpose of the oil system is to lubricate the engine,in other words, to create a layer between metal parts to avoid engine overheat and damage.

(CFI Notebook, n.d.)

The Cessna 172 for example, uses a wet sump oil system, which essentially means that the oil sump is located inside the engine. Oil is drawn from the sump into the engine driven oil pump. Then it goes to through a bypass valve and depending on the oil's temperature. If it cold, the valve allows the fluid to go directly to the filter, but if it is cold it first has to go through the oil cooler. Then it goes to the full flow oil filter if installed and through engine parts. The pressure relief valve allows excessive oil to return to the sump to regulate engine oil pressure. Residual oil goes back to the sump by gravity flow.

Maintenance for this system is fairly easy and can be done without a decent period of time. Pilots can check the oil level prior to the flight and the cockpit is equipped with a oil pressure and temperature gauge. Nevertheless, in flight problems with the oil system are a common cause for engine failure, specially in GA. The C172 doesn't have a oil quantity indicator, so the first sign of an issue is a drop in oil pressure. A decrease in  pressure means that less fluid is flowing through the engine parts, causing an engine overheat. Metal parts in the engine start to lose this layer of coating and friction starts to rise. The oil temperature gauge will start rising as well and once the oil level is so low, air will start entering the pressure indicator, causing a fluctuation in the gauge. Engine damage is only a matter of seconds at this point, so pilots must take immediate action as soon as they detect any issue with the oil. Once this lubricating fluid is absent, there is nothing protecting the engine parts.

References
Cessna (1976). Pilot's Operating Handbook Cessna Skyhawk. Kansas, USA.
CFI Notebook (n.d.) [Image of the wet-sump system]. Retrieved from https://www.cfinotebook.net/notebook/operation-of-aircraft-systems/lubrication

Oscar Cubas