Producing Human Factor Recommendations in the Aviation Sector

Abstract

This paper explores how Human Factors (HF) recommendations for the design of systems, the design of equipment and the design of operations are produced in the Aviation Sector. It also investigates to what extent they rely on the use of HF methods available in the literature. The paper builds on semi-directive interviews from HF experts and practitioners in several Aviation Organizations in Europe and beyond. The interviews captured real HF intervention practices that are described based on actual design examples. The paper presents an overview of practices used amongst the Aviation Industry to generate HF design recommendations within different organizations collaborating on a common European Project. It discusses how HF experts and practitioners produce efficient HF recommendations, and what is needed not only in terms of methods to carry out these recommendations but also and possibly more importantly that which is required from a broader organizational perspective.