Human Factors in Aviation

 

What are Human Factors in Aviation?

It is estimated that 80% of all aviation accidents are been caused by pilot error and not mechanical failure. due to the human factors of the pilot in command affecting his or her aeronautical decision-making (PHAK, 2016) Human factors in aviation are the physical, behavioral, cognitive, and social characteristics sourced from the working conditions, training, and management of an aviation professional. (FAA, 2014) In other words, the conditions that affect a human's ability to work smartly and safely such as stress, experience, fatigue, mindset, etc. Identifying these factors and acknowledging them is key to mitigating risk. You can use the IMSAFE checklist to determine if your personal issues are a safety concern. Illness - am I sick? Medication - will my meds affect my mental state? Stress - am I busy thinking about other problems? Alcohol - have I been drinking or hungover? Fatigue - am I too tired? Emotion - am I upset? (PHAK, 2016) If any of these are a concern, don't fly.

The most concerning human factor are fatigue. Approximately 70% of pilots and other crew members have stated that they have flown fatigued that they could have fallen asleep at their crew positions and 44 reports from the NTSB list fatigue as a causal factor in aircraft accidents between 1983-2017. (Wingelaar-Jagt et al., 2011)(NTSB, n.d.) Fatigue at that level has the same impact on mental ability as a blood alcohol level over 0.05%, the legal limit for operating an aircraft. Fatigue causes reduced speed and accuracy of performance, reduced attentiveness, slow reaction time, impaired reasoning and judgment, poor risk evaluation, lapses of situational awareness, and low motivation. Fatigue management is key to reducing the effects of fatigue. This includes getting plenty of sleep prior to the flight, hydration, move around during your flight, caffeine can provide temporary energy but be aware that it is borrowed energy and will be followed by a caffeine crash, and when able take a nap. (ERAUSpecialVFR, 2016)

References

 

ERAUSpecialVFR. (2016, September 9). Aeromedical factors. YouTube. Retrieved August 3, 2022, from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xK44nFczul0

Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). (2016). Pilot’s Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge (PHAK). Retrieved July 13, 2022, from https://www.faa.gov/regulations_policies/handbooks_manuals/aviation/phak

Role of human factors in the FAA - faasafety.gov. Role of human factors in the FAA. (2014). Retrieved August 2, 2022, from https://www.faasafety.gov/files/events/WP/WP07/2017/WP0777858/Human_Factors_RoleOfHF-FAA.pdf

Wingelaar-Jagt, Y. Q., Wingelaar, T. T., Riedel, W. J., & Ramaekers, J. G. (2011, January 1). Fatigue in aviation: Safety Risks, preventive strategies and pharmacological interventions. Frontiers. Retrieved August 3, 2022, from https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fphys.2021.712628/full#:~:text=Fatigue%20in%2Dflight%20has%20been,could%20have%20easily%20fallen%20asleep.