Physical, Mathematical, Computer and Life Sciences › Physical Sciences
Human Factors in Aviation Explained Training
Description
This course provides a comprehensive understanding of human factors in aviation, focusing on how human performance, limitations, and behaviors impact safety and efficiency in aviation operations. Learners will explore key concepts such as situational awareness, decision-making, communication, and error management to enhance aviation safety.
Learning Outcomes
- Explain the role of human factors in aviation safety and performance.
- Apply models of human error and decision-making to aviation scenarios.
- Analyze the impact of fatigue, stress, and communication on aviation operations.
- Demonstrate techniques for improving situational awareness and crew resource management.
- Evaluate human factors issues in aviation incidents and accidents.
- Implement strategies to mitigate human error in aviation environments.
Target Audience
This course is designed for aviation professionals including pilots, cabin crew, ground staff, maintenance personnel, and aviation managers seeking to deepen their understanding of human factors. It is also suitable for individuals entering the aviation industry who need foundational knowledge in this area.
Prerequisites
None — open enrollment.
Course Outline
Objectives:
• Define human factors and explain their relevance to aviation safety.
• Identify the key human performance limitations that affect flight operations.
• Describe the historical evolution of human factors in aviation.
• Recognise the consequences of human error in aviation incidents.
Topics:
• What are human factors? Definitions and scope.
• The SHELL model (Software, Hardware, Environment, Liveware).
• History of human factors in aviation: from early accidents to modern systems.
• Human error: types, causes, and classification (e.g., slips, lapses, mistakes).
• The Dirty Dozen: common human error precursors.
• Introduction to safety culture and just culture.
• Case study: Tenerife runway disaster (1977) – human factors lessons.
Objectives:
• Explain how physiological factors (e.g., fatigue, stress, health) affect performance.
• Describe psychological factors such as perception, attention, and memory.
• Identify the effects of alcohol, medication, and substance use on aviation performance.
• Apply strategies to mitigate human performance limitations.
Topics:
• Circadian rhythms, sleep, and fatigue: causes, effects, and countermeasures.
• Stress: types, symptoms, and management techniques.
• Sensory systems: vision, hearing, and vestibular illusions.
• Information processing: attention, perception, memory, and decision-making.
• Alcohol, drugs, and medication: impact on performance and regulations.
• Health and fitness for duty: medical standards and self-assessment.
• Practical techniques for managing fatigue and stress in aviation.
Objectives:
• Explain the principles of effective communication in aviation.
• Describe the role of teamwork and leadership in flight operations.
• Apply Crew Resource Management (CRM) concepts to enhance safety.
• Analyse communication errors in aviation incidents.
Topics:
• Communication models and barriers: verbal, non-verbal, and written.
• Standard phraseology and read-back/hear-back procedures.
• Team dynamics: roles, responsibilities, and shared mental models.
• Leadership, followership, and assertiveness.
• Crew Resource Management (CRM): history, principles, and applications.
• Decision-making models: naturalistic, analytical, and recognition-primed.
• Case study: Avianca Flight 52 (1990) – communication and decision-making failures.
Objectives:
• Identify human factors issues specific to aircraft maintenance.
• Explain how design and automation affect human performance.
• Describe the role of human-machine interface (HMI) in aviation.
• Apply error prevention strategies in maintenance and operational contexts.
Topics:
• Maintenance human factors: fatigue, procedures, documentation, and shift work.
• The Dirty Dozen in maintenance: examples and prevention.
• Human-machine interface: displays, controls, and alarm design.
• Automation: benefits, pitfalls, and mode awareness.
• Automation bias and complacency.
• Design for error tolerance: forcing functions and barriers.
• Case study: Aloha Airlines Flight 243 (1988) – maintenance human factors.
Objectives:
• Describe the components of a Safety Management System (SMS).
• Apply Threat and Error Management (TEM) model to flight operations.
• Analyse incidents using human factors frameworks.
• Develop a personal action plan for applying human factors knowledge.
Topics:
• Safety Management Systems (SMS): policy, risk management, assurance, promotion.
• Threat and Error Management (TEM): threats, errors, and undesired aircraft states.
• Incident and accident investigation: human factors analysis.
• Reporting systems: just culture and voluntary reporting.
• Organisational factors: culture, resources, and change management.
• Review of key human factors models (SHELL, Dirty Dozen, PEAR).
• Creating a personal human factors action plan.
• Final assessment and course wrap-up.
Practicals
Overview
The practicals provide hands-on experience with human factors tools such as fatigue and stress self-assessment, CRM role-play scenarios, and maintenance error identification exercises. Learners apply theoretical knowledge to realistic aviation situations, enhancing their ability to recognise and mitigate human performance risks.
Practical Activities
- Practical 1: Fatigue and Stress Self-Assessment — Learners complete standardised fatigue and stress questionnaires and analyse their own results, then discuss mitigation strategies in small groups. (2h)
- Practical 2: CRM Role-Play Scenario — In groups, learners role-play a flight crew facing an in-flight emergency, practising communication, leadership, and decision-making skills. (4h)
- Practical 3: Maintenance Error Identification Exercise — Using a simulated maintenance scenario with built-in errors, learners identify human factors issues (e.g., fatigue, procedure non-compliance) and propose corrective actions. (4h)
- Practical 4: Incident Analysis Using TEM and SHELL — Learners analyse a real aviation incident report, mapping threats, errors, and undesired aircraft states using TEM and SHELL models, then present findings. (4h)
- Practical 5: Personal Human Factors Action Plan — Each learner develops a personal action plan to apply human factors principles in their own aviation role, including strategies for managing fatigue, stress, and communication. (2h)
Summatives
Each delegate is assessed continuously throughout the course via daily exercises, scored practical assignments, and a final summative test at the end.
Practical Assignments — 30%
Practical assignments are observed and scored against a rubric during the practical sessions. Each delegate's practical mark is averaged into a single 100% score and contributes 30% to the final total.
Daily Exercises — 20%
Every training day ends with a multiple-choice exercise scored out of 100%. The scores from each daily exercise are averaged across the duration of the course to produce a Daily Average mark, which contributes 20% to the final total.
Final Test — 50%
On the last day a final summative test is written. It is a multiple-choice paper with multiple-answer questions: each question may have more than one correct option, and a single wrong selection on a question marks the entire question wrong — no partial credit. The final test is scored out of 100% and contributes 50% to the overall mark.
Final Total
| Component | Out of | Weight |
|---|---|---|
| Practical Assignments (rubric-scored) | 100% | 30% |
| Daily Average (multiple choice) | 100% | 20% |
| Final Test (multi-answer multiple choice) | 100% | 50% |
| Final Total | — | 100% |
All marks are recorded on the AATICD LMS and visible to each learner under their account.
Certificate
How it works
- Certificates are auto-generated on the AATICD LMS as soon as the marks pass the 50% threshold.
- Each certificate is a branded PDF with the delegate's name, the course title, the unit standard ID, NQF level, credits, and the date of issue.
- You can download or print your certificate from your LMS dashboard at any time after issue — there's no reissue fee and no expiry date.
- If you scored under 50% you can sit the final test again at the next scheduled session at no extra cost.
Where to find it
Sign in to the LMS, open your dashboard, and your certificates appear under My Certificates. Each entry has a View / Download button and a print option.
Training Discounts
Group discounts apply automatically — the more delegates you enrol, the greater the saving. Discounts are calculated at 3% per 5 delegates, scaling up to 40% off for 100+ delegates.
| Delegates | Discount |
|---|---|
| 5 | 3% off |
| 10 | 6% off |
| 15 | 9% off |
| 20 | 12% off |
| 25 | 15% off |
| 30 | 18% off |
| 50 | 30% off |
| 75 | 40% off |
| 100 | 40% off |
3% discount per 5 delegates, up to 40% off for 100+ delegates. Contact us for a custom group quote.
Let us know you're interested and we'll arrange a session that suits you.
Let us know you're interested and we'll arrange a session that suits you.
Let us know you're interested and we'll arrange a session that suits you.
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