Aviation Human Factors Research Articles

The evolution and effectiveness of Maintenance Resource Management (MRM)

Maintenance resource management (MRM) is defined as collaboration and communication for maintenance safety. Its origins and separate roots are identified. Two recent and well-documented case examples are reviewed and assessed in terms of degree of top management support, the quality of intervention, and the extent of measurement and feedback. Systems thinking and culture change as current themes in aviation human factors are discussed and accumulating evidence is examined. The view of maintenance unity in the context of the larger organizational system is proposed. Relevance to industry Maintenance human factors plays an increasing part in airline safety. Maintenance resource management is the part of maintenance human factors which addresses the issues of management, organization, communication, problem solving, and decision making. MRM is important in addressing error correction and avoidance in the stressful and complex environment of commercial aviation.

Human Factors in Multi-crew Flight Operations

This paper discusses selected aviation human factors challenges in the air transport environment. Because of the authors' background, much of this paper will be based upon the growth of human factors and airline training in transport aviation in the United States. However, parallel growth and advancements have been made in other parts of the world from the beginning of air transport and are being made in many parts of the world today. This is certainly true of Great Britain. One should never forget that air transport is a world enterprise and has been since its beginning. While it is important to recognise that cultural and other differences should be considered if they are relevant, it is equally important in air transport to recognise that common problems are solved by common solutions and can be addressed by, but are not limited to, common approaches. It is recognised that the behavioral aspect of aviation human factors deserves considerable attention, particularly in the area of training and evaluation. We have also learned that previous training criteria are not satisfactory for operation with increasingly complex aircraft being operated in an increasingly complex environment. Human errors occur with greater frequency than is often believed and can be made by anyone - even an airline captain. An inevitable consequence of this entirely human characteristic is that the role of the co-pilot has been considerably enhanced. Furthermore, the monitoring function of the pilot-not-flying, whether he/she is the captain or co-pilot, is now recognised as a critical safety function by virtually all serious operational experts. Language: en

Aviation human factors: a framework for the new millennium

This paper presents a survey of the literature on human factors in airline safety and builds a conceptual framework for designing future safety studies. In our framework, factors are analyzed to determine their association with operational errors rather than accidents. Since operational errors occur with much greater frequency than accidents, our new approach allows for the analysis of the more complex relationships and interactions that occur among various factors. Results generated through the analysis of operational data can enhance the decision-making process and help reduce pilot-error accidents. We also include recommendations for how data should be collected and stored in order for researchers to more effectively analyze flight safety data.

Assessing Mental Workload with Subjective Measures: An Analytical Review of the NASA-TLX Index Since its Inception

The use of subjective ratings to measure mental workload is a commonly used technique. Several measures have been designed to test such workload metrics specifically in the aviation community. One such measure is the NASA Task Load Index (NASA-TLX). The NASA-TLX is a multidimensional measure of workload based on the weighted averages of six sub-scales. These include mental demand, physical demand, temporal demand, performance, effort and frustration. The current study sought to examine the aviation human factors literature for the various methods and reporting techniques used to report the results from the administration of the NASA-TLX. Results indicated the workload measure is used in numerous contexts and there exists great variability in reporting techniques. The authors discuss these issues as well as make declarations as to the advantages of standardizing the reporting methods when the NASA-TLX measure is employed.

Managing Aviation Human Factors Aircraft Accident Investigations: Lessons Learned

The Human Performance Division of the Office of Aviation Safety of the National Transportation Safety Board is charged with explaining the nature of the error or errors that may have caused or contributed to the cause of civil aviation accidents. In this paper I describe the conduct of a human performance investigation, circumstances that may be encountered during an investigation, and aspects of the management of the human factors group within the National Transportation Safety Board.

Issues and Concerns in the Design of Cockpit Displays of Traffic Information

The format and utility of cockpit displays of traffic information (CDTIs) are an important research and development topic within the aviation human factors community. The paper examines some of the more advance surveillance technologies that increase the amount and fidelity of information available to the cockpit.

Systems Theory Implications for Human Factors in Aviation

Systems theory is presented as a complement to the more traditional scientific approaches in aviation science. Tenets of systems theory are contrasted with traditional approaches that employ reductionism. A complementary method of inquiry using groups or organizations as the unit of analysis is systems theory, a framework long fundamental to human factors but treated with curious ambivalence by practitioners (Meister, 1989). This integrative perspective has matured to a point that warrants serious consideration. Four variations in systems theory are compared, and the applications of each are made to aviation science. The limitations of systems theories are presented, as well as current and potential applications of systems theory to aviation science.

Student and Instructor Perceptions of Effective Instructional Methods in a University Aviation Human Factors Course

Aviation human factors instructors employed by University Aviation Association (UAA) member institutions and aviation flight students from Southern Illinois University at Carbondale (SIUC) were asked to rank nine teaching methods according to perceived effectiveness in each of four subject areas: flight physiology, flight psychology, aeronautical decision-making (ADM), and crew resource management (CRM). Responses were compiled into two categories, students and instructors. Analysis using the Spearman's rank correlation coefficient indicated that students and instructors generally agreed on teaching methods they considered appropriate to the four subject areas.

Training Issues: Human Factors in Aviation

Training Issues: Human Factors in Aviation

Aviation Human Factors Research in U.S. Universities: Potential Contributions to National Needs

Universities can and should make vital contributions to national needs in aviation human factors. However, to guide and utilize university research effectively we must understand what types of expertise and facilities universities can bring to bear on aviation problems. We should be aware of where relevant research is already underway and where untapped potential exists. How does the character of research in universities differ from and complement research in government and industry laboratories? What conditions would encourage universities to focus on national priorities and would promote high quality, relevant research? This paper attempts to address these issues. It is based on a survey conducted by the author, which included site visits to several universities, telephone interviews with faculty members at other universities, and a search of the aviation human factors research literature.

Human Factors and Ergonomics in Maintenance and Inspection Symposium Abstract

In 1991 the National Plan for Aviation Human Factors was published. The plan proposed a variety of research priorities for the nation's aviation industry and government entities. The FAA Office of Aviation Medicine has been conducting a research program to address the Aviation Maintenance topics identified as significant in the National Plan. The resultant research program has been recognized as the most significant maintenance-oriented human factors study in the world.

Validation of the Federal Aviation Administration Air Traffic Control Specialist Pre-Training Screen

Two formal validation studies of the Air Traffic Control Specialist Pre-Training Screen (ATCS/PTS), a 5-day computer-administered test battery, are described. The ATCS/PTS was designed to replace the nine-week U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Academy ATCS Nonradar Screen program that served as the second major test in the ATCS selection system. Review of ATCS job analyses suggested that predictor tests should assess cognitive constructs such as spatial reasoning and short-term memory, and require dynamic, concurrent performance. A proposed test battery was developed, consisting of two computer-administered information processing tests and a simplified radar-based air traffic control work sample. In study 1, predictive, criterion-related validation (N = 438) found that the proposed test battery explained additional variability in scores earned in the 9-week FAA Academy program, after taking into account student aptitude. In study 2, criterion-related validation (N = 297) demonstrated that the proposed test battery was as valid as the 9-week FAA Academy ATCS Nonradar Screen for predicting progress in field training. Preliminary data from a third study conducted after validation of the ATCS/PTS seem to suggest that the abilities assessed by the new computerized tests reflect the abilities required on the job. However, implementation of the ATCS/PTS for actual employment decisionmaking in June 1992 was based on results obtained in the second concurrent, criterion-related validation study. The U.S. controller selection system since June 1992 has consisted of the four-hour written ATCS aptitude test battery followed by, for those applicants earning a qualifying score and dependent upon agency manpower requirements, second-level screening on the ATCS/PTS. Additional research requirements as part of an aviation human factors research program are described. © 1993 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.**This article is a US Government work and, as such, is in the public domain in the United States of America.

Helicopter Survival

Organised in four sessions this Conference featured papers on Aircrew/Passenger Survival Equipment and Procedures; Safe Helicopter Handling in Adverse Conditions; Aviation Medicine and Human Factors; and Crashworthiness Requirements on Advanced Helicopter Operations. Information and products were shown by Helicopter International/Helidata News; Dunlop Beaufort; SAFE (Europe) Chapter; Bristol Aerospace; Multifabs Survival; and Design Tech & Mullion Manufacturing. Delegates came from many civil and military organisations worldwide and represented a range of specialised knowledge which was reflected in the contributions.

Incident Retrieval from NASA's Aviation Safety Reporting System

The most basic goal of the aviation human factors discipline is to improve flight safety. This goal is instantiated in the optimization of displays and controls to make correct operation efficient and erroneous operation unlikely. Incident data are an important source of information for identifying safety problems and quantifying the safety of the system, including trends in safety, e.g., due to operational changes. Incident data can also provide insights from the participants as to the underlying factors and sequence of events or conditions that are present in safety anomalies. These data can, and should, play an important role in human factors research and the operation of human-machine systems. The Aviation Safety Reporting System is a voluntary incident reporting system with contributions predominantly from pilots and air traffic controllers. The database currently holds over 100,000 incident reports from the last five years. Each report contains information identifying the type of flight or air traffic control facility, the nature of the airspace, the experience level of the reporter, the type of incident, and often a detailed description of the circumstances which contributed to the loss of safety. The nonpunitive nature of the reporting system stimulates reports that are revealing of human error and systemic weaknesses. This depository of information provides a unique source of very high quality incident data.

Utilizing a Microcomputer Based Flight Simulation in Teaching Human Factors in Aviation

This paper describes the use of Microsoft's “Flight Simulator” and “Flight Simulator: Aircraft and Scenery Designer” in teaching human factors in aviation to psychology and engineering students. The student's role commenced as that of a participant-observer and concluded as that of a scientist-practitioner. Flight Simulator was used to familiarize the student with aerodynamic principles, the relationship between aircraft controls and displays and flight dynamics. Both the syllabus incorporating the flight simulation and the capabilities of the simulation are described. The authors examined the capabilities of the simulations and feel that they provide an excellent return for a comparatively small investment. Students felt that the ability to use a simulator greatly enhanced the course. The simulations have potential applications which remain to be tapped. As a teaching aid, it is rated “best buy”.

Use of Microcomputers in Teaching Human Factors in Aviation

With the declining cost of and the increasing capability of today's microcomputers and computer software, the time seems appropriate for a symposium on the use of computers in the teaching of human factors. For the purpose of this annual meeting the scope has been limited to the teaching of human factors in aviation using general purpose microcomputer systems (IBM PCs or compatible, including a hard drive, EGA or VGA graphics card and a color monitor) in combination with specific hardware and software, which cost no more than two hundred and fifty dollars.

The National Plan for Aviation Human Factors: Maintenance Research Issues

The National Plan for Aviation Human Factors addresses Human Factors research associated with pilots, controllers, maintenance technicians, and their respective work environments. In each of the sections the plan addresses issues related to topics such as automation and advanced technology, basic scientific knowledge about human performance, information transfer, performance measurement, training and selection, and certification. This paper describes the portions of the National Plan related to maintenance. It includes discussion of problems shared in the maintenance of aircraft and in the maintenance of the “electronic highways” called airway facilities. The paper describes the Plan's research recommendations. In addition the paper elaborates on the current Office of Aviation Medicine Human Factors in Aviation Maintenance research, associated with the National Aging Aircraft Research Program.

Ongoing and Planned R&D Efforts in Airway Facilities Maintenance

Airway facilities maintenance has been a neglected area of human factors R&D until recently. The National Plan for Aviation Human Factors, however, specifically mandates that the needs of aircraft and airway facility maintainers, as well as pilots and controllers, be addressed in the design and operation of new systems. The purpose of this paper is to outline the major research issues within the area of airway facilities maintenance, and to describe some of the Federal Aviation Administration's ongoing efforts to address these issues.

Aircraft and Airways Facilities Maintenance: Components of the National Plan for Aviation Human Factors

Aircraft and Airways Facilities Maintenance: Components of the National Plan for Aviation Human Factors

Safety Topics

THE inclusion of cockpit resource management in manufacturers training courses and the attitudes of pilots to increased automation on the flight deck are two subjects that have recently received increased prominence in the study of human factors in aviation. These topics together with the results of extensive research studies and the technological progress in information gathering were among areas explored at a Royal Aeronautical Society Conference which was attended by representatives from airlines, manufacturers, research and development organisations and other civil and military bodies.