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