How pilot fatigue effects human performance?

How pilot fatigue effects human performance?

Introduction

During the past years, increasing attention has been laid on the effects of fatigue on the human performance in aviation maintenance while considering the reasons and grounds for the alleged human error. Considering that majority of the accidents in the aviation sector at present are due to human factors of fatigue, there is increasing evidence that supports the research in this area. Since all areas within the aviation sector have their distinct key factors contributing towards fatigue, making a sector-wide approach stratagem that is quite widespread for being encompassed into this research; this study is constrained to the discussion about fatigue amongst the cockpit crews. Human factors of fatigue in cockpit crews, is drawn out from both; internal and external aspects of the cockpit. Several major reasons behind human factors of fatigue in aviation maintenance would be explored that would be trailed by a brief demonstration of the impacts of fatigue on aviation maintenance together with the several counter measures in hand.

Discussion

The safety in aviation sector greatly relies on maintenance. In case it is not carried out appropriately, it leads to a considerable ratio of aviation incidents and accidents. Some examples of human errors in aviation maintenance count in; essential checks not being carried out, missing parts, and some parts installed inappropriately. Contrary to several other risks to aviation safety, the errors of an aviation maintenance technician (AMT) may be more challenging to identify. Frequently, there are such errors however they are not apparent and have the capacity to be dormant, impacting the secure operation of aircrafts for prolonged time durations. An aviation maintenance technician experiences human factors of fatigue distinctively within aviation maintenance (Caldwell & Caldwell, 2003). They are frequently operating in early morning hours or in the evening, in curbed areas and on elevated platforms, and in various adverse humidity/temperature conditions. The operation may be physically exhausting however it additionally needs attention to detail. Due to the nature of maintenance operations, aviation maintenance technicians generally expend more time in the preparation of an operation than carrying it out in actual. A major element is the appropriate documentation of the entire maintenance operations. Human factors of fatigue may result in enhanced quality, a milieu which ascertains enduring safety for aircrafts and workers, and a more responsible and involved workforce (Dinadis & Vicente, 2009). Being more precise, the diminution of even minor errors may impart quantifiable merits, counting in; decrease in warranty claims, decrease in work-related injuries, and lesser number of missed deadlines, cost reductions, and decrease in more important incidents which may be trailed back to the maintenance errors.

Human Factors

The term “human factors” has become progressively more widespread with the realization by the aviation sector that human error instead of mechanical failure is the root cause for majority of the aviation incidents and accidents. Human factors technologies or science is multidisciplinary sectors integrating contributions from anthropometry, operations research, statistics, industrial design, engineering, and psychology. It is a terminology which ...