HUMAN PERFORMANCE &
LIMITATIONS
Summary / Notes
, Table of contents
Section 1 – Human Factors Basic Concepts
Human Factors in aviation ......................................................... 2
Section 2 – Basic of Aviation Physiology and Health Maintenance
Flight Physiology… .................................................................... 2
The Nervous System .................................................................. 5
Vision ........................................................................................6
Hearing and Balance ..................................................................7
Spatial Disorientation and Sensory Illusions ...............................9
Health and Hygiene .................................................................. 10
Section 3 – Basic Aviation Psychology
Human Information processing… .............................................. 13
Human error ............................................................................15
Flight Deck management ......................................................... 17
Personality, Attitudes and Behaviour ...................................... 18
Workload and Stress ................................................................ 19
Body Rhythm and Sleep ........................................................... 20
Advanced Flight Deck automation ............................................ 22
1
, Chapter 1 Human Factors in Aviation
8 Core competencies for pilots: (Knowledge, Skills and Attitude)
1. Application of procedures
2. Communication Percentage of accidents with
3. Aircraft flight path management – Automation human error as cause = 76 %
4. Aircraft flight path management – Manual control
5. Leadership and teamwork
6. Problem-solving and decision-making
7. Situation awareness
8. Workload management
SHELL – Model
-Software = Procedures, manuals and checklists
-Hardware = The aircraft itself, its systems and equipment
-Environment = Airspace in which the pilot operates
-Liveware = Crew members and all external agencies
Chapter 2 Flight Physiology
Respiration (10-15 breaths p/m)
-External respiration = breathing and the transfer of oxygen into and co2 out of lungs.
-Internal respiration = oxygen is used within the body tissues to make energy and form co2
-Acid base balance = PH 7.4 (Sensed by chemoreceptors)
-Atmosphere = 21% Oxygen, 78% nitrogen, 1 % Other gases
Breathing: Nose ->via trachea and bronchi to lungs ->Capillaries -> attaches to haemoglobin
-Critical partial pressure Oxygen = 55 mmHg
Lung Volumes:
-Total lung capacity = 6 litres
-Tidal volume (In/Exhaled) = ½ litre
-Functional residual capacity = 2.4 litres
-Residual volume (Remaining forceful breath) = 1.2 litres
-Vital capacity (Max exhaled) = 4.8 litres
Circulatory system
-Heart = pump through arteries, veins and capillaries
-Left Ventricle = High pressure with oxygen -> Through aorta
-Right Ventricle = Low pressure/oxygen -> Pulmonary Arteries
-Speed = 5-30 litres per minute, 60/80 BPM
Blood cells Reduce Blood Pressure:
-Red cells = Contains oxygen carrying haemoglobin 1. Excersise
-White cells = Destroy bacteria and produce antibodies 2. Maintain weight
3. Reduce salt intake
-Platelets = Blood coagulation and repair wounds
4. Stop smoking
2
LIMITATIONS
Summary / Notes
, Table of contents
Section 1 – Human Factors Basic Concepts
Human Factors in aviation ......................................................... 2
Section 2 – Basic of Aviation Physiology and Health Maintenance
Flight Physiology… .................................................................... 2
The Nervous System .................................................................. 5
Vision ........................................................................................6
Hearing and Balance ..................................................................7
Spatial Disorientation and Sensory Illusions ...............................9
Health and Hygiene .................................................................. 10
Section 3 – Basic Aviation Psychology
Human Information processing… .............................................. 13
Human error ............................................................................15
Flight Deck management ......................................................... 17
Personality, Attitudes and Behaviour ...................................... 18
Workload and Stress ................................................................ 19
Body Rhythm and Sleep ........................................................... 20
Advanced Flight Deck automation ............................................ 22
1
, Chapter 1 Human Factors in Aviation
8 Core competencies for pilots: (Knowledge, Skills and Attitude)
1. Application of procedures
2. Communication Percentage of accidents with
3. Aircraft flight path management – Automation human error as cause = 76 %
4. Aircraft flight path management – Manual control
5. Leadership and teamwork
6. Problem-solving and decision-making
7. Situation awareness
8. Workload management
SHELL – Model
-Software = Procedures, manuals and checklists
-Hardware = The aircraft itself, its systems and equipment
-Environment = Airspace in which the pilot operates
-Liveware = Crew members and all external agencies
Chapter 2 Flight Physiology
Respiration (10-15 breaths p/m)
-External respiration = breathing and the transfer of oxygen into and co2 out of lungs.
-Internal respiration = oxygen is used within the body tissues to make energy and form co2
-Acid base balance = PH 7.4 (Sensed by chemoreceptors)
-Atmosphere = 21% Oxygen, 78% nitrogen, 1 % Other gases
Breathing: Nose ->via trachea and bronchi to lungs ->Capillaries -> attaches to haemoglobin
-Critical partial pressure Oxygen = 55 mmHg
Lung Volumes:
-Total lung capacity = 6 litres
-Tidal volume (In/Exhaled) = ½ litre
-Functional residual capacity = 2.4 litres
-Residual volume (Remaining forceful breath) = 1.2 litres
-Vital capacity (Max exhaled) = 4.8 litres
Circulatory system
-Heart = pump through arteries, veins and capillaries
-Left Ventricle = High pressure with oxygen -> Through aorta
-Right Ventricle = Low pressure/oxygen -> Pulmonary Arteries
-Speed = 5-30 litres per minute, 60/80 BPM
Blood cells Reduce Blood Pressure:
-Red cells = Contains oxygen carrying haemoglobin 1. Excersise
-White cells = Destroy bacteria and produce antibodies 2. Maintain weight
3. Reduce salt intake
-Platelets = Blood coagulation and repair wounds
4. Stop smoking
2
