Skip to main content

5.3 Human Factors Definition



         Human factors in aviation can be defined as factors which can cause varied responses to the normal way work is done in various aviation fields specifically involving the traits that are unique to being human. Examples of human factors influencing work include poor work due to going to work tired, or forgetting important steps in the workflow. The FAA states that human factors like fatigue, complacency, and stress are very important things to monitor in the aviation maintenance industry in the AMT Handbook Addendum. (FAA ch. 14 p.1)

          During long flights, aircrews need to work together as an effective team to remain vigilant and competent during all hours of the flight. Sometimes on longer, international flights, there are 2 full aircrews on board. After one crew flies the takeoff and first half of the flight, the second crew flies the second half and landing portion. This may mean that each member of the crew could have over 8 hours of time on duty. Even though this is a long time, it can be similar to an 8-hour workday, and the pilots receive periods of rest.

         These methods of mitigating fatigue are examples of how aircrews avoid accidents due to human factors while on long flights. They take turns staying awake in order to make sure that whoever is PIC of the aircraft is awake and feeling well. They may take turns making position reports to Air Traffic Control and making navigation checks. These tasks also help pilots and aircrew members to avoid complacency due to boredom.

         Human factors in aviation are a big deal and must be closely monitored. Luckily, years of commercial airline operations have provided many good ideas and published procedures used to hold each member of the operation accountable. The FAA is important in this process because they are the ones who create these safety procedures and enforce them, and air traffic control is a huge help keeping pilots informed and alert. The NTSB is also responsible for researching accidents and providing useful information leading to the awareness of new problems and challenges arising in aviation every day, and the steps to be taken in order to prevent future accidents.









References:

Cox, J. (2019, June 02). Ask the Captain: Do pilots get bored on long-haul flights? Retrieved from https://www.usatoday.com/story/travel/columnist/cox/2019/05/31/long-haul-flights-pilot-crew-sleep/1285421001/

 F. (n.d.). AMT Handbook. Retrieved June/July, 2019, from https://www.faasafety.gov/files/gslac/courses/content/258/1097/AMT_Handbook_Addendum_Human_Factors.pdf.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

9.2 Weather Hazards

Weather Hazards      I believe tornadoes are the most dangerous weather condition to handle aircraft operations in. During a tornado, the primary focus around airports is where to put the aircraft so that they are not lifted from the ground and completely destroyed. All planes are quickly put in hangars or evacuated from the airport if possible. The updrafts caused by tornadoes are certain death for any unlucky pilot who happens to be in the air within a certain radius of the storm. Tornadoes are complete disasters for every airport they plow through, like a hurricane, only tornadoes can affect airports from all over the US.      In order for a tornado to form, certain conditions must be present. They most commonly form during violent thunderstorms, because thunderstorms provide sufficient instability, and there is wind shear in the lower atmosphere. Earth's weather occurs in the troposphere, and tornadoes cause the wind in the troposphere to violen...
Post a Comment
Read more

8.2 Air Traffic Control Entities

Tower Vs  Ground Control      During aircraft operations, the first 3 people a pilot talks to during a flight is the weather briefer, ground control, and tower. Ground control is a part of air traffic control, but they control the aircraft requesting taxi on the ground. Soon after landing and turning off the runway, the pilot holds short of the taxiway before switching radio frequencies to Ground Control. Everything after leaving the taxiway onto a runway and before turning off the runway is communicated with Tower.      Separating the two entities frees up radio space on the airport and provides more efficient separation by giving the controller only one area (ground or air) to focus on. Pilots must be in contact with ground control as soon as they cross the ATC line. This rule ensures that ATC is aware of every aircraft moving on the airport in high traffic areas. However, pilots do not have to be in contact with ATC while taxiing in hang...
Post a Comment
Read more

7.2 The Airport and the Environment

                                                   The Airport and the Environment       One of the biggest and most common environmental concerns for airport managers is lighting and thunderstorms.  “ IATA  requires for safety reasons some or all handling operations to be suspended when lightning occurs at or near an aerodrome .” (  ICAO , AMOFSG/7SN No. 17) During a thunderstorm, ramps are shut down and often planes can be left on the tarmac for however long it takes for the storm to pass. This is called a tarmac delay. Tarmac delays hurt airlines by causing jets to sit and burn fuel for periods of time while planes may be boarded with passengers. If the plane is delayed long enough to cause frustration to passengers, airlines are often obligated to provide financial compensation to the passengers for the inconvenience. ...
Post a Comment
Read more