Understanding the role of Human Factors in Aviation Safety

Whenever you think of the term “aviation”, your brain likely brings up images of aircraft, jets, helicopters, big runways, and airports. But do you know that the Human is an equally important element? No industry can function without this human element, and aviation is no exception. In the aviation industry, the interplay between machines and humans—known as Human Factors—is a critical aspect. In this article we are going to discuss this critical aspect.

By reading this write-up, you will explore the key aspects of this topic and gain insights to develop a thorough understanding of how Human Factors influence safety in aviation.

In the Federal Aviation Administration (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.

The way FAA defines Human factors can be little complex to comprehend, so we are decoding it in simple language.

“Human Factors” refers to the discipline where we study “how the human element interacts with one or more aviation systems”. These aviation systems include machines, technology, the environment, and fellow personnel. The objective of studying this is to understand the capabilities and the limitations of the human element to optimize and boost performance, reduce errors, and enhance the safety aspect.

A Research undertaken by “National Aeronautics and Space Administration” about aviation accidents has found that 70% of those accidents involve human error. There are other reports as well which supports these statistics well enough. A report from Boeing also established that 80% of aviation accidents are associated with human errors and associated failures. The table below lists notable aviation accidents throughout history, highlighting the serious concerns these incidents raise about human factors.

Human behavior is usually central to human factors, but there can often be hidden or intangible factors that may affect safety. Here are some of them:

Cognitive load is the mental effort that one put in to accomplish a work task. It often overwhelms pilots, crews, and other personnel with heaps of information about system management, deciphering weather conditions, and coping with unexpected events. Cognitive load above the manageable level, the quality of decision making can become impaired, leading to errors.

High workloads, distractions, and time pressure would reduce a crew member's ability to process critical information and cause a decrement in their performance.

Fatigue is the single most important invisible dimension of aviation safety. Long or inflexible working hours combined with crossing time zones often lead to sleep deprivation, which negatively affects the attention, memory, and judgment of the aircraft flight crew. Pilots and air traffic controllers may then make more errors when fatigued. Similarly, stress resulting from high-pressure environments impairs cognitive performance with less effective communication among team members.

Aviation operations and safety require clear and concise communication. Miscommunication, whether verbal or non-verbal, can lead to confusion and errors. It is important to note that aviation communication is not limited to exchanges between pilots and air traffic controllers, but also extends to flight crews, ground crews, and other aviation personnel.

Aviation safety mainly envisages the technical systems of the aircraft but not solely depend on them; there is total human involvement at all levels. Both technical and non-technical groups are working together to ensure aviation safety.

Technical manpower include pilots, engineers, maintenance workers, and air traffic controllers. They are concerned with operation, maintenance, and repairs of equipment, as well as the associated air traffic control systems. These technical professionals are trained to help them handle the following tasks: operation of flight instruments, monitoring engine performance, and ensuring the proper functioning of systems such as autopilot, navigation, and communication devices. Technical competency is not enough, and even the best of the sophisticated equipment can fail or operate incorrectly due to human error. It is essential, therefore, that technical personnel undergo refresher training in human factors, situational awareness, and stress management to mitigate these human limitations.

Non-technical manpower may include but are not limited to flight attendants, customer service agents, and ground crew. Though they do not fly aircraft directly, their work is critical and complementary to that of the technical crew, equipment maintenance, and management of passenger safety. For instance, flight attendants are trained to provide emergency assistance to customers under their care and inspect compliance with safety protocols. Ground crews take care of ensuring aircraft has undergone appropriate servicing, fueling, and preparing it for flight. Non-technical manpower creates a safety culture that is as important as its technical counterparts because it makes the environment conducive for prioritization of safety at all levels.

During the period of increased focus on aviation safety, many tools and technologies have come forward for reducing human errors and enhancing performance. Here are some of the tools used in the area of aviation today:

This training is meant for crew training in teamwork, communication, and decision-making to mitigate errors caused by poor communication and enhance crew coordination in complex or emergency situations.

These systems monitor essential flight parameters and warn the pilots in the event of anomalies or deviations from standard operations, leading to increased situational awareness and faster decision making.

These are systems which monitor and manage crewmember fatigue based on flight hours, sleep quality, rest periods, etc.

Cockpit automation today largely relieves cognitive load by carrying out repetitive tasks, such as navigation, system monitoring, and engine performance tracking. It also helps pilots assess complex data and make reasoned decisions.

The research and application of Human Factors will follow the mainstream trends of evolution in the body and state of the aviation industry. Some prospective are mentioned as follows:

The importance of Human Factors in the design of any automation system in aviation is, at last, a point of consideration apart from making them a replacement for human judgment itself. Meanwhile, cognitive workload management and support systems offer assistance for complex conditions in operations.

The future will probably see a greater incidence of offering high-intensity scenarios in simulation training into which personnel will be immersed in decision-making, communication, and stress-management situations. The advances in educational training systems using virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) will lead to more realistic physical experience without exposure to threats.

Advanced monitoring systems and wearables may help in identifying early signs of fatigue towards the aviation personnel by offering real-time feedback, allowing intervention before performance degradation occurs. Management of shifts and schedule focusing on the circadian rhythms is gaining popularity to keep human operators in optimal performance states.

Collaboration tools and team dynamics will be instrumental in influencing future developments in aviation operations; that is why behavioral analytics will permeate such areas as understanding communication patterns and the overall effectiveness of crew coordination. Simultaneously, real-time decision-making and performance assessment of teams will be enhanced by these tools for future payback.

The human element within the realm of aviation is not merely an element or aspect but is quintessential to safety and efficiency. Technological advancements are compounded, while the understanding of the capabilities and limitations of man will pave the future path in aviation. The relationship between human behavior, decision-making, and aviation systems must be nurtured with continuous research and adaptation. The future of aviation safety lies not in the development of machines alone but in developing human systems to optimally interface with them.

As we move forward, it is crucial to foster a culture of safety where human factors are integrated seamlessly into training, operations, and technology. This holistic approach will bridge the gap between technology and human performance for a more resilient aviation industry.