CAA NZ CPL Human Factors study plan
CAA NZ CPL Human Factors · Give each week a clear focus.
8 weeks · About 6 hours per week
Human Factors
Define human factors and explain why it is a mandatory subject for the NZ CPL, listing the SHELL model components and the Reason 'Swiss cheese' model layers from memory
Describe the sensory systems relevant to flight (vision, hearing, vestibular, proprioception) and explain how each contributes to spatial disorientation
Distinguish the three types of spatial disorientation (unrecognised, recognised, incapacitating) and match at least four illusions (somatogravic, somatogyral, Coriolis, leans) to their causative head/aircraft motion
Build a one-page personal summary sheet linking each illusion to a recovery action
Your checkpoint
A hand-drawn or typed one-page diagram of the SHELL and Swiss cheese models plus a 10-row illusion-to-recovery table, self-quizzed to 80% recall
Human Factors
Explain the physiology of hypoxia, including the four types (hypoxic, hypemic, stagnant, histotoxic) and their causes
State the altitude bands at which night vision, judgement and consciousness are typically impaired in an unacclimatised person and describe the signs of hyperventilation versus hypoxia
Describe the effects of trapped gas and decompression sickness on the body and the associated flight considerations
Explain the purpose, signs, and limitations of supplemental oxygen use and the role of cabin altitude in pressurised aircraft
Your checkpoint
A written 300-word explanation of hypoxia types and a comparison table of hypoxia versus hyperventilation symptoms, checked against the NZ CAA human factors syllabus wording
Human Factors
Describe the function of the eye (rods, cones, fovea, blind spot) and explain how dark adaptation and empty-field myopia affect night operations
Explain how noise, vibration and fatigue degrade pilot performance and state the mitigation measures for each
Describe the effects of acceleration (G-forces) and the role of the baroreceptors and anti-G straining manoeuvre
Summarise the circadian rhythm, sleep debt, and the physiology behind fatigue-related error
Your checkpoint
A flashcard set of at least 40 cards covering vision, hearing, acceleration and fatigue, with a self-test score recorded and any missed cards rewritten
Human Factors
Explain the components of the information-processing model (sensation, perception, attention, memory, decision-making, response) and where errors typically arise
Describe the different types of memory and how they relate to skill acquisition and habit formation
Explain the concept of situational awareness and the three levels of SA loss, with an aviation example for each
Describe the decision-making models (e.g. DECIDE, FOR-DEC) and apply one to a worked scenario
Your checkpoint
A 400-word worked scenario analysis applying DECIDE to a real-world-style in-flight decision, with the SA level lost at each stage identified
Human Factors
Describe the categories of human error (slips, lapses, mistakes, violations) and the difference between active and latent failures
Explain the threat and error management (TEM) model and apply it to a pre-flight and in-flight scenario
Describe the role of crew resource management, communication, assertiveness and leadership in error management
Explain how automation affects workload, complacency and skill degradation
Your checkpoint
A TEM worksheet filled in for two different flight scenarios, each identifying threats, errors, undesired aircraft states, and countermeasures
Human Factors
Describe the physiology and psychology of stress, including the Yerkes-Dodson curve and the difference between acute and chronic stress
Explain how stress and fatigue interact with error and decision-making, and list practical coping strategies
Describe the effects of alcohol, drugs, self-medication and smoking on flight performance and the relevant NZ regulatory limits
Explain the role of personality, attitudes, and hazardous attitudes in flight safety
Your checkpoint
A one-page stress-and-substances reference sheet, including the NZ alcohol and drug rules, self-checked against the current CAA rules
Human Factors
Integrate the human factors syllabus into a single revision map linking physiology, psychology and error management
Answer practice questions under timed conditions and analyse every incorrect answer for the underlying concept gap
Explain the human factors aspects of at least three accident or incident case studies (with the human error chain identified)
Describe the role of human factors in maintenance and ground operations as it relates to flight safety
Your checkpoint
A timed 60-question practice set completed with a score of at least 80%, plus a written error log of every missed item
Human Factors
Review the error log from week 7 and close every remaining knowledge gap
Rehearse the SHELL, Swiss cheese, TEM and DECIDE models from memory without notes
Complete a full mock examination under exam conditions and review all answers
Confirm exam-day logistics, permitted materials, and the CAA CPL human factors exam format
Your checkpoint
A full mock exam passed at 85% or above, with all remaining weak areas listed and each closed before the exam date
Milestones
Week 2: Can explain all four hypoxia types and the signs of hypoxia versus hyperventilation without notes
Week 4: Can describe the information-processing chain and apply DECIDE to a new scenario in under 10 minutes
Week 6: Can state the NZ alcohol and drug limits and describe the effects of stress and fatigue on performance
Week 8: Mock exam passed at 85% or above with all error-log items closed