Human Factors in Flight Safety
What the domain covers
This domain integrates human factors into safety management: the accident causation chain, safety culture, reporting systems, and the role of human factors in occurrence investigation. Candidates must understand the difference between safety culture and safety climate, and the role of just culture in reporting.
Concepts to master
- Accident causation: multiple causes, latent conditions, active failures; the Swiss cheese model.
- Safety culture: reporting, just, flexible, learning and informed cultures.
- Just culture: distinguishes human error from reckless behaviour; encourages reporting.
- Reporting systems: confidential and non-punitive; feedback is essential.
- Investigation: human factors analysis, not blame allocation.
Question traps
A common trap is assuming that a just culture means no accountability; reckless behaviour is still sanctioned. Another is assuming that more reporting always means worse safety; it may reflect a healthier reporting culture. Also distinguish safety culture (shared values) from safety climate (perceptions at a point in time).
Worked example / rule of thumb
A crew reports a near-miss and the operator thanks them and shares lessons. This reflects a just and learning culture. Rule of thumb: if reporting increases after a change, check whether it is a worsening of safety or an improvement in trust - usually the latter.