History of Human Factors in Aviation

Study Notes

Pre-World War I: Human-machine compatibility relied solely on trial and error methods.
World War I: Aviation psychology emerged due to the complexity of new systems. Focus shifted from pilots to aircraft design features like controls, displays, and altitude considerations.
World War II: Rapid technological advancements caused design issues and crashes, underlining the need for robust human factors research.
Post-World War II: Research centered on flight crews, but ergonomics (efficiency and safety in workspace design) gained importance for technicians and equipment.
Vietnam War: Emphasis shifted towards systemic error reduction and safety, but ineffective punitive "crackdown programs" were also implemented. Eventually, positive incentives and participative management were embraced.
1978 Airline Deregulation: Competition and efficiency pressures led to "doing more with less," potentially impacting safety.
1990s: Airline culture shifted towards improved communication, teamwork, and collaboration, notably through CRM (crew resource management) training.
Present Day: Airlines prioritize safety with strict guidelines and extensive training for all personnel.

1487: Leonardo da Vinci pioneered anthropometrics, measuring the human body, as illustrated in his famous drawing "Vitruvian Man."
Bird Flight Studies: Da Vinci recognized the limitations of human flight due to weight and strength limitations.
Early Foundations for Design: His research in anthropometrics and aviation influenced early ergonomic design principles.

Frank and Lillian Gilbreth: Industrial engineers developed the challenge-response system to minimize errors in surgery.
Challenge-Response System: This method, where a doctor says "scalpel" and the nurse repeats "scalpel," is used in aviation today to verify correct instructions.

Definition: The study of how humans interact with systems to improve safety and performance.
Human Error Reduction: Key goal to avoid accidents, as 75-80% of aviation accidents are attributed to human error.
Multidisciplinary Field: Combines psychology, engineering, and anthropometry.
Future Emphasis: Investing in human factors training is vital for safety, as relying solely on technology advancements is insufficient.
Maintenance Errors: Although pilot errors are visible, maintenance errors can be equally perilous but often hidden until they cause issues.

Goal: Optimize human performance in aviation maintenance, focusing on error reduction.
Key Disciplines:
- Clinical Psychology: Understanding and preventing mental stress and dysfunction.
- Experimental Psychology: Studying basic human behaviors like learning, perception, and communication.
- Anthropometry: Determining body measurements to ensure worker fit within aircraft spaces.
- Computer Science: Information processing and application in systems.
- Cognitive Science: How the mind processes information.
- Safety Engineering: Safe system operation, even with component failures.
- Medicine Science: Health maintenance and healing.
- Organizational Psychology: Workplace behavior, teamwork, motivation, and job satisfaction.
- Educational Psychology: Learning styles and effective teaching methods.
- Industrial Engineering: Optimizing work standards and facility layouts to minimize stress and errors.