5.3 Team-Based Human Factors Challenges

    Human factors in aviation means to me anything with the potential to suffer from lack of attention or training (Human, 2020). On the other more positive side of the coin, I think human factors provide a framework for what to focus on and improve as a process instead of just being a source of error. From experience, I most typically see human factors appear in aviation during maintenance operations, and they present themselves at the most inconvenient of times. 

    Whether it's an upcoming flight window, a lack of time, improper training or just your general ability to work together, be aware or trust your team the human factor always seems to rear its head. At my particular work center they preach taking your time and paying attention more than anything else, and for good reason. Many times I've seen a group roll out to a job, and it could be the simplest thing that becomes very complicated from carelessness. 

    The most recent example that comes to mind is an inspection on the targeting system of my jet, which requires at a minimum 2 people to lower for access. It is crucial to handle the targeting assembly with care since there are a million avenues for disaster, such as dropping it, scratching the mirror, or damaging the paint and electronics. It is quite large, and practically impossible to supervise anyone but yourself when handling. When loosened it completely drops, so having faith in the training, the communication and each other is paramount for success. Apart from the basics of a maintenance operation, you also realize that when dealing with human factor, anything and everything, no mater how trivial or small it may seem, matters. Being in a good head space will keep you from being distracted, making sure you're engaging properly during training could prove to be a lifesaver, and even the line of communication plays a role on not only morale but your cohesion as a team and ability to rely on others and keep the potential for risk at a minimum when performing any sort of maintenance operations.  

EOTS retrieved from https://whitefleet.net/2017/12/19/lockheeds-new-advanced-eots-addresses-f-35-ground-attack-concerns/. 

References

Hempel, P. B. A. (2017, December 20). Lockheed's advanced EOTS ADDRESSES F-35 ground ATTACK Concerns. WhiteFleet.net. https://whitefleet.net/2017/12/19/lockheeds-new-advanced-eots-addresses-f-35-ground-attack-concerns/.

Human Factors in Aviation Safety . Human factors in Aviation safety (avs). (2020, August 10). https://www.faa.gov/aircraft/air_cert/design_approvals/human_factors/.