The Use of Psychology During Aviation Human Factors Training

Sofema Online (SOL)?www.sofemaonline.com considers core human values and control mechanisms that can impact human factors.

A fundamental aspect of psychology that is highly relevant in aviation human factors training is the understanding that many fundamental beliefs individuals hold are deeply rooted in core human values and the intrinsic need to feel in control.

This need for control starts from childhood and evolves as we grow, influencing how we interact with the world and manage various situations.

The Role of Control in Human Behavior

Aircraft Engineers, like all individuals, are driven by core human values and an intrinsic need for control. This need begins in childhood and shapes how we interact with our environment and handle various situations.

Integrating psychological principles into aviation human factors training for ground engineers offers significant benefits.

• ??Training programs can be designed to improve stress management, decision-making, communication, motivation, and error management by understanding the fundamental need for control and the coping mechanisms engineers use.
• ??This approach enhances individual performance and improves safety and efficiency in aviation maintenance operations.

Intrinsic Desire for Control:

• ??Aircraft Ground engineers have an innate desire to control their work environment, which is crucial for ensuring safety and precision in their tasks.
• ??Control of maintenance and repair activities is essential to prevent errors and ensure the reliability of the aircraft.

Coping Mechanisms:

• ??Engineers develop coping mechanisms from childhood to handle situations where control is lacking. These mechanisms can be constructive (systematic problem-solving) and destructive (avoidance).
• ??Understanding these coping mechanisms can help create strategies to manage stress and improve performance during high-pressure situations.

Stress Management:

• ??Training programs can incorporate mindfulness and relaxation exercises to help ground engineers recognize and manage stress.
• ??Providing tools for stress management can lead to better focus and decision-making during maintenance tasks.

Decision Making:

• ??Understanding cognitive biases and decision-making processes can help engineers make better decisions, especially under time constraints or when faced with unexpected issues.
• ??Training can include real-life scenarios to simulate high-pressure environments, allowing engineers to practice and refine their decision-making skills.

Communication and Teamwork:

• ??Effective communication and teamwork are critical in maintenance operations. Training can focus on building these skills through practical exercises and feedback sessions.
• ??Understanding group dynamics and the psychological aspects of teamwork can enhance cooperation and performance, leading to more efficient and safer operations.

Motivation and Learning:

• ??Tailoring training to align with engineers' intrinsic and extrinsic motivations can improve engagement and retention of knowledge.
• ??Adult learning principles like self-directed learning and hands-on practice can enhance the training experience and outcomes.

Error Management:

• ??Psychology offers insights into human error prevention. Training can include strategies for error management, such as developing situational awareness, recognizing fatigue, and using checklists.
• ??Encouraging a culture of safety where errors are reported and analyzed without fear of punishment can lead to continuous improvement and learning.

Next Steps

Sofema Aviation Services (www.sassofia.com ) and Sofema Online (www.sofemaonline.com ) provide Human Factors, Safety and Maintenance Event Decision Aid (MEDA) Training , together with Training for Trainers in the mentioned Courses. Delivered as Classroom, Webinar and Online courses – please see the respective websites or email?[email protected]