What is 'human factors' in aviation safety and give two examples of error traps?

• A. Interaction of human capabilities and limitations in operations; examples: fatigue and complacency.
• B. A mechanical failure of aircraft.
• C. A weather phenomenon.
• D. A software bug.

Answer: (A)

Human factors in aviation safety examines how people interact with aircraft, systems, procedures, and the operating environment, and how those interactions influence performance and risk. It recognizes that pilots and crews have cognitive, perceptual, and physical limits influenced by workload, sleep, distractions, and design. Two classic error traps are fatigue and complacency. Fatigue erodes vigilance, slows perception and decision-making, and can cause missed cues or slow responses, especially during long or monotonous phases of flight. Complacency occurs when routine reduces vigilance, leading to skipped checks, overreliance on automation, and insufficient verification of abnormal signals. These factors illustrate how human performance shapes safety outcomes, whereas a mechanical failure, weather phenomenon, or software bug are not about the human performance factors in the same way.