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Aviation safety is the prime focus of the FAA and similar global aviation administration organizations.

The human factor is an aspect of aviation safety that is especially under the microscope at all times.

Human errors contribute to more aircraft incidents and accidents than any other single factor. Aviation safety is compromised by human errors that include errors by the flight crew, maintenance personnel, air traffic controllers, and others who have a direct impact on flight safety.

In fact, human factors are significant contributors in approximately 70% of all accidents and incidents.

What lies behind human error is very frequently inaccurate situational awareness: the failure (for whatever reason) to evaluate an operational or maintenance situation properly.

Many areas of human factors are associated with the operational safety of commercial airplanes, including the following: 

  • Design factors associated with aircraft controls
  • Aircraft system controls
  • Warning systems
  • Air traffic control systems
  • Flight deck
  • Passenger seating and egress

Aviation safety relies heavily on maintenance. When it is not done correctly, it contributes to a significant proportion of aviation accidents and incidents. Some examples of maintenance errors are parts installed incorrectly, missing parts, and necessary checks not being performed.

In comparison to many other threats to aviation safety, the mistakes of an aviation maintenance technician (AMT) can be more difficult to detect. Often times, these mistakes are present but not visible and have the potential to remain latent, affecting the safe operation of aircraft for longer periods of time.

AMTs are confronted with a set of human factors unique within aviation. Often times, they are working in the evening or early morning hours, in confined spaces, on platforms that are up high, and in a variety of adverse temperature/humidity conditions. The work can be physically strenuous, yet it also requires attention to detail.

Because of the nature of the maintenance tasks, AMTs commonly spend more time preparing for a task than actually carrying it out. Proper documentation of all maintenance work is a key element, and AMTs typically spend as much time updating maintenance logs as they do performing the work.

Want to know more? Tonex offers Aviation Safety Training Bootcamp, a 2-day course designed to provide the participants with the working knowledge of the planning, designing and testing development of an effective system safety program. The development of major system safety concepts are examined with particular emphasis on system safety risk assessment, mitigation and accident prevention.

For more information, questions, comments, contact us.

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