Human factors related aviation incidents and accidents remain subjects of great public concern. Despite the aerospace industry's success at developing ever more sophisticated and reliable technology, the proportion of human error-related incidents and accidents remains remarkably constant. This fact, combined with projected growth rates and the requirement to increase productivity, resulted in considerable attention to human factors research and application programs over the last several years. Valuable programs in aviation human factors have been underway for many years at the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), and Department of Defense (DOD), as well as in academic and industry sectors. However, to continue to enhance this progress toward safety and productivity goals, increased coordination, funding, and long-term, high level management support in government and industry is needed. This initiative outlines a coherent national agenda containing two major elements aimed at achieving this outcome.
The first element focuses on five research thrusts.
The second element focuses on opportunities for improving the application of research results to planned and ongoing programs. Too often, government, academic, and industry programs lack the mechanisms to effect the transfer of the human factors knowledge contained in research products.
Implementation of the following four management actions is essential to institutionalize human factors activities in the workplace and to maximize the benefit of a national human factors program.
The aviation community plays a fundamental role as both the initiator and the recipient of research and application activities. As initiator, the aviation community causes federal agencies and their contractor/academic support organizations to respond to aviation requirements through need definition, budget influence, and research support. As the recipient, the aviation community benefits by accepting and using the research and application products. This document identifies near- and long-term needs, assesses the progress of research, and provides mechanisms for implementation. The publication of this document represents one of several necessary steps to establish and maintain a coordinated national human factors program for civil aviation. Continued emphasis on research activities over the long-term as well as sustained management support for program implementation and technology transfer are needed. This initiative describes these sustaining activities which involve an iterative process for initiators, performers, and recipients. If properly implemented and adequately supported, the National Plan for Civil Aviation Human Factors will lead to significant improvements in overall system safety, efficiency, and capacity for the benefit of the ultimate customer -- the flying public.