CPL Human Factors case studies
CPL Human Factors · Put your knowledge to work in context.
The CPL Human Factors examination is the human factors component of the Commercial Pilot Licence theory pathway. It is aimed at student pilots working toward a commercial licence, and at licence holders or overseas applicants who need to satisfy the human factors knowledge requirement. The subject area covers the human operator as part of the aviation system: perception and information processing, attention and workload, decision making and judgement, error and threat management, situational awareness, communication and crew coordination, personality and attitudes, stress, fatigue and sleep, fitness and health, vision and hearing, spatial disorientation and illusions, and the effects of drugs, alcohol and medication on performance. It also addresses how organisational and operational factors, including automation and human-machine interface design, contribute to accidents and incidents. The CPL Human Factors case studies are 5 cases and about 1,903 words.
1Night Approach After a Short-Night Roster
You are a first officer on a turboprop on the third sector of a night duty. You slept 4.5 hours in the last 24, and the roster was changed at short notice.
436 words, about 2 min2Pressurisation Failure with a Passenger in Distress
You are cruising at FL350 with 48 passengers. A cabin crew member reports a loud bang and rapid fogging, and the cabin altitude is climbing through 14,000 ft.
389 words, about 2 min3Unstable Approach with a Late Runway Change
You are cleared for a visual approach to runway 09 with a 12 kt tailwind component, but at 4 nm ATC changes you to runway 27. You are high and fast: 1,800 ft at 4 nm, 190 kt indicated, flaps 15.
359 words, about 2 min4Diversion Decision with a Suspected Fuel Leak
You are at FL310, 1 hour 10 minutes from destination, with 3.2 tonnes of fuel. The flight plan required 2.8 tonnes at destination, giving a 0.4-tonne margin.
371 words, about 2 min5Crew Conflict During a Complex Departure
You are the captain on a departure from a busy airport with a complex SID requiring a precise climb gradient and a tight turn at 1,500 ft. The first officer is new to the aircraft type and has been quiet.
348 words, about 2 min