ASCI 604 - Human Factors in the Aviation/Aerospace Industry

Human factors specialists in the FAA's Aviation Safety (AVS) organization promote safety in the National Airspace by working to reduce the occurrence and impact of human error in aviation systems and improve human performance. These specialists have expertise in the design and/or evaluation of aircraft systems, maintenance, operations, procedures, pilot performance, associated FAA policy, and guidance. They develop regulations, guidance, and procedures that support the certification, production approval, and continued airworthiness of aircraft; and certification of pilots, mechanics, and others in safety-related positions.

Human factors are issues affecting how people do their jobs. They are the social and personal skills, such as communication and decision making which complement our technical skills. These are important for safe and efficient aviation. The study of human factors involves applying scientific knowledge about the human body and mind to help understand human capabilities and limitations. Human factors knowledge can be used to reduce the likelihood of errors and build more error tolerant and more resilient systems.

Human factors is the study of the relationships between people and their activities through the systemic application of the human sciences, integrated within the framework of system engineering. Within the context of aviation, that study includes the interactions among aviation personnel, their environments and equipment.

Human Performance (HP) represents the human contribution to system performance and refers to how people perform their work. Throughout the aviation system, people are both the source of some of the risks and an integral part of identifying and managing all risks. How we support HP is informed by Human Factors (HF). HF is concerned with the application of what we know about human beings, their abilities, characteristics and limitations, to the design of equipment they use, environments in which they function and jobs they perform.