Aeng Midterms Reviewer PDF

**5.1 Introduction to Human Factors\ ** 1487: **[Leonardo da Vinci]** started studying anthropometrics (the measurement of humans) with his famous drawing [**Vitruvian Man**.] He also studied bird flight, realizing humans couldn't fly due to weight and strength limits. His research in these areas l...

**5.1 Introduction to Human Factors\ ** 1487: **[Leonardo da Vinci]** started studying anthropometrics (the measurement of humans) with his famous drawing [**Vitruvian Man**.] He also studied bird flight, realizing humans couldn't fly due to weight and strength limits. His research in these areas laid early foundations for design, including ergonomics. Early 1900s: **[Frank and Lillian Gilbreth]**, industrial engineers, developed the challenge-response system to reduce human error in surgery. This method (e.g., a doctor says "scalpel," the nurse repeats "scalpel") is also used in aviation today to ensure correct instructions are followed. **5.2 Importance and Definition of Human Factors** Human Factors: Study of how humans interact with systems to improve safety and performance. It helps reduce human error, which is the cause of most aviation accidents **[(75-80%).]** It's a multidisciplinary field involving psychology, engineering, and anthropometry. Importance: Future aircraft safety improvements will come from educating employees to recognize and prevent human errors, not just from technology improvements. Even though pilot errors are more visible, maintenance errors can be just as dangerous but often remain hidden until they cause issues. **5.3 Elements of Human Factors** Goal: Identify and optimize factors affecting human performance in aviation maintenance to reduce errors. **Main Disciplines Involved:** 1\. Clinical Psychology: Helps in understanding and preventing mental stress or dysfunction. 2\. Experimental Psychology: Studies basic behaviors like learning, perception, and communication. 3\. Anthropometry: Studies human body measurements, important for ensuring workers can fit into aircraft spaces. 4\. Computer Science: Deals with how information is processed and applied in systems. 5\. Cognitive Science: Examines how the mind processes information. 6\. Safety Engineering: Ensures systems work safely even when components fail. 7\. Medicine Science: Focuses on healing and maintaining health. 8\. Organizational Psychology: Studies how people behave at work, focusing on teamwork, motivation, and job satisfaction. 9\. Educational Psychology: Studies how people learn and designs methods for teaching different learning styles. 10\. Industrial Engineering: Focuses on optimizing work standards and efficient facility layouts to reduce stress and errors. **5.4 History of Human Factors\ ** Pre-World War I: Trial-and-error was the only method to test human and machine compatibility. **[World War I (1914-1918):]** Advanced systems led to the study of aviation psychology. Focus shifted from pilots to aircraft design (controls, displays, altitude effects). **[World War II (1939-1945):]** Technological advances outpaced human ability, leading to design problems and crashes. This highlighted the need for better human factors research. Post-World War II: Research focused on flight crews, but technician competency and equipment design **[(ergonomics)]** gained more attention. Early zero defects programs aimed to reduce errors but were sometimes too rigid. Vietnam War: Led to systematic approaches to error reduction and safety, but also introduced ineffective "crackdown programs" based on punishment. Later, focus shifted to positive motivators and participative management. 1978 Airline Deregulation: Led to competitive business practices, increased pressure for efficiency, and "doing more with less." 1990s: A culture change in the airline industry led to better communication, teamwork, and collaboration (e.g., CRM training). Today: Airlines prioritize safety, strict safety guidelines, and proper training to ensure high safety standards.