Human Factors training for the "unexpected"

The purpose of this presentation will be first of all be to review some recent events, some recent studies at NASA, in some European R&D programs and with some airlines schemes to elicit issues, assumptions and operational... [ view full abstract ]

The purpose of this presentation will be first of all be to review some recent events, some recent studies at NASA, in some European R&D programs and with some airlines schemes to elicit issues, assumptions and operational training needs. Whether related to deficiencies in automation knowledge management, to basic shortcomings in skills or to shortfalls in attitudes, handling the “unexpected” appears not best adapted to this day and age of high technical reliability and of unprecedented productivity requirements. Besides this contemporary cultural aspect, several Managerial and Human Factors issues are to be considered. Reference will be made to SKYbrary’s Operators’ Guide to Human Factors in aviation, presented at CASI 2013. In particular, we will review the contents of three OGHFA topics i.e. on “Enhancing Flight Crew Management of Unexpected Events”, “Stress management” and “Fatigue Management”.

The second aim will pertain to some innovative solutions with regard to ad-hoc creativity, presence of mind and ability to revert to common sense when facing the unexpected. Flight preparation with associated relaxation is part of the deal so as to reduce workload in actual flight. Preparing the attitude to adopt for « what can go wrong » including the control of stress in flight. In view of this training to deal with this will be explored going from mental simulation to proper priming in the frame of regulatory evolutions (AQP), present safety tools & techniques and current training philosophy evolutions. Not the least of which have to do with “learning by doing” in order to stimulate discovery, development, self-tuition and positive training.

In conclusion, many precepts and recommendations are well known but their dissemination is lagging and often ignored by many pilots. Improving safety is first of all reaching large and for the “silent majority” at that. We will examine the dissemination issue for OGHFA in view of improving it.