Commercial Pilot (Airplane) Human Factors
Lesson Plan

Introduction:

Attention:

  • Research a case study
  • Discuss how the initial conditions developed into an incident/accident/mishap
  • Relate similar personal experience of the same type of incident/accident/mishap

Motivator:

  • The human body is the most important system on any manned aircraft
  • The body is influenced by an array of external factors such as pressure, oxygen, and chemicals, the body can be incapacitated or degraded through a variety of means
  • For these reasons, pilots must be medically qualified as well as fit to fly
  • Humans are never perfect and it is those human factors that pose other hazards to flight that must be mitigated

Overview:

Topic:
Time:
Introduction:
0:05
Human Factors:
0:15
Review (quiz):
0:05
Case Studies:
0:05
Total Ground Time:
0:30

Required Materials:

  • Paper, Pen, Marker, Whiteboard

Instructor Actions:

Student Actions:

Human Factors Guided Scenarios:

  • During the climb, the nervous passenger begins to start breathing heavily, panicking that they're an uneasy flier and have never been so far from the ground as they begin to experience dizziness
    • What may the passenger be experiencing?
    • What are some corrective actions?
    • How could this event be prevented/mitigated on subsequent legs of the flight?
    • What are some of the risk factors for this type of event?
  • The aircraft is now operating at a high altitude when a passenger starts becoming uncharacteristically talkative, laughing, and explaining how they're feeling a little light headed but otherwise enjoying the flight
    • What may the passenger be experiencing?
    • What are some corrective actions?
    • How could this event be prevented/mitigated on subsequent legs of the flight?
    • What are some of the risk factors for this type of event?
  • After landing, the pilot recognizes not only that they have a headache, but that they've had one after the past few flights
    • What may the pilot be experiencing?
    • What are some corrective actions?
    • How could this event be prevented/mitigated on subsequent legs of the flight?
    • What are some of the risk factors for this type of event?
  • Related scenarios:
    • None
  • Aids: None
Human Factors Case Studies:

  • Carbon Monoxide Case Studies:

  • Hypoxia Case Studies:

    • NTSB Identification: CEN12FA571:
      • The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident to be: The student pilot's impairment from alcohol, marijuana, and hypoxia, which adversely affected his ability to maintain control of the airplane
    • NTSB Identification: WPR12FA154:
      • The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident to be: The in-flight loss of control due to the pilot's impairment as a result of hypoxia. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's operation of the airplane above 12,500' without the aid of supplemental oxygen
    • NTSB Identification: CEN09LA527:
      • The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident to be: The in-flight loss of control due to the pilot's impairment as a result of hypoxia. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's decision to operate the unpressurized airplane at an altitude requiring supplemental oxygen without having any oxygen available
    • NTSB Identification: ERA09FA429:
      • The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident to be: The pilot's improper modification of the certified, on-board oxygen system, which resulted in incapacitation due to hypoxia, and the airplane's subsequent uncontrolled descent into terrain
    • NTSB Identification: DCA00MA005:
      • The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident as follows: Incapacitation of the flight crewmembers as a result of their failure to receive supplemental oxygen following a loss of cabin pressurization for undetermined reasons

Commercial Pilot (Airplane) Human Factors Airman Certification Standards:

  • Objective: To determine the applicant exhibits satisfactory knowledge, risk management, and skills associated with personal health, flight physiology, and aeromedical and human factors related to safety of flight
  • References: AIM; FAA-H-8083-2 (Risk Management Handbook), FAA-H-8083-3 (Airplane Flying Handbook), FAA-H-8083-25 ()

Commercial Pilot (Airplane) Human Factors Knowledge:

The applicant demonstrates understanding of:

  • CA.I.H.K1:

    Symptoms, recognition, causes, effects, and corrective actions associated with aeromedical and physiological issues, including:
    • CA.I.H.K1a:
      Hypoxia
    • CA.I.H.K1b:
      Hyperventilation
    • CA.I.H.K1c:
      Middle ear and sinus problems
    • CA.I.H.K1d:
      Spatial disorientation
    • CA.I.H.K1e:
      Motion sickness
    • CA.I.H.K1f:
      Carbon monoxide poisoning
    • CA.I.H.K1g:
      Stress
    • CA.I.H.K1h:
      Fatigue
    • CA.I.H.K1i:
      Dehydration and nutrition
    • CA.I.H.K1j:
      Hypothermia
    • CA.I.H.K1k:
      Optical illusions
    • CA.I.H.K1l:
      Dissolved nitrogen in the bloodstream after scuba dives

  • CA.I.H.K2:

    Regulations regarding use of alcohol and drugs

  • CA.I.H.K3:

    Effects of alcohol, drugs, and over-the-counter medications

  • CA.I.H.K4:

    Aeronautical Decision-Making (ADM) to include using Crew Resource Management (CRM) or Single-Pilot Resource Management (SRM), as appropriate

Commercial Pilot (Airplane) Human Factors Risk Management:

The applicant is able to identify, assess, and mitigate risk associated with:

Commercial Pilot (Airplane) Human Factors Skills:

The applicant exhibits the skill to:

  • CA.I.H.S1:

    Associate the symptoms and effects for at least three of the conditions listed in K1a through K1l with the cause(s) and corrective action(s)

  • CA.I.H.S2:

    Perform self-assessment, including fitness for flight and personal minimums, for actual flight or a scenario given by the evaluator

Re-Motivation:

  • Still looking for something? Continue searching:

Closure:

  • Advise students that this lesson will be used as a starting point for the next lesson
  • Assign study materials for the next lesson

Conclusion: