20120430 - ICAO: training of operational personnel in human factors

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[<Normal page] [PEREZGONZALEZ Jose D [ed] (2010). ICAO: training of operational personnel in human factors. Aeroscience (ISSN 2324-4399), 2012, pages 28-29.]

ICAO set a baseline curriculum for training pilots on human factors in its 1991 circular Human Factors Digest n^o 3¹. The publication itself is now relatively old but the curriculum is comprehensive enough even today. What follows is a synopsis of the contents in that circular, which namely describes the proposed curriculum.

2.2². This curriculum covers ICAO's human factors training requirements for airline transport pilot licences (ATPL). However, with small changes in emphasis and scope, the curriculum can be adapted easily to the requirements for other licences (e.g. PPL and CPL).
2.4. Curriculum outline:

• Module 1: Introduction to human factors in aviation

• Module 2: Physiology
  • Sensation and perception (functioning and limitations)
  • Disorientation (sensory illusions)
  • Circadian rhythms (dysrhythmia/jet lag)
  • Fatigue and alertness
  • Sleep disturbances
  • Breathing (hypoxia and hyperventilation)
  • Pressure effects
  • Acceleration effects (positive and negative "G's")

• Module 3: Psychology
  • Information processing
  • Workload
  • Stress
  • Situational awareness
  • Experience and proficiency
  • Judgement and decision-making
  • Attitudes, personality and culture
  • Human error and reliability

• Module 4: Fitness for duty
  • Personal health
  • Effects of diet, drugs and aging on proficiency
  • Psychological fitness
  • Pregnancy

• Module 5: Ergonomics
  • Controls and displays (cockpit design and common mistakes in interpretation)
  • Alerting and warning systems
  • Personal comfort
  • Cockpit visibility and eye-reference position
  • Motor workload
  • Automation

• Module 6: The operating environment
  • The cockpit environment (noise, temperature, lighting…)
  • The physical environment (terrain illusions, weather, time of day…)
  • The socioeconomic environment (legislation, organizational culture, employment issues…)

• Module 7: Documentation and software
  • Standard operating procedures
  • Written materials (as hard copies or in electronic displays)

• Module 8: Interpersonal relations
  • Communication
  • Crew resource management

References

1. ICAO - INTERNATIONAL CIVIL AVIATION ORGANIZATION (1991). Human factors digest n^o 3. Training of operational personnel in human factors. Circular 227-AN/136. ICAO (Montreal, Canada), 1991.

+++ Footnotes +++

2. This number corresponds to the paragraph number in the ICAO circular. Missing paragraphs deal with examples and other information deemed not too important for a synopsis.

Want to know more?

AviationKnowledge - ICAO's documents

This AviationKnowledge page provides a list of ICAO's documents related to Human Factors in aviation.

ICAO's Human factors digest n^o 3

Although probably of limited usability given its age, this is the original reference to ICAO's. You can purchase it from ICAO, as "ICAO - INTERNATIONAL CIVIL AVIATION ORGANIZATION (1991). Human factors digest n^o 3. Training of operational personnel in human factors. Circular 227-AN/136. ICAO (Montreal, Canada), 1991."

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Editor

Jose D PEREZGONZALEZ (2010). School of Aviation, Massey University, New Zealand (JDPerezgonzalez).

Peer-reviewers

Amber WAN (2010). School of Aviation, Massey University, New Zealand (Amber Wan).
Nicholas ASHLEY (2010). School of Aviation, Massey University, New Zealand (NickAshley).

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