Operational Human Factors
Research, case studies and practical resources on fatigue, workload, communication, assumptions, handovers, decision-making and the human factors that shape safe flight operations.
Why this matters
Human factors sit behind almost every part of flying. Pilots rarely operate in perfect conditions: attention is divided, workload changes, people interrupt, assumptions build, and decisions often have to be made with incomplete information.
Small gaps can appear in very normal operations. A task is deferred. A handover is unclear. A check becomes familiar. A pilot sees what they expect to see. Someone assumes another person has already taken care of the final step.
Understanding human factors helps pilots recognise those quiet pressures before they become part of a larger chain. It supports better communication, more deliberate checking, healthier decision-making and a stronger willingness to pause when something does not feel properly confirmed.
Official references and research
Selected reports, research and official guidance relevant to Human Factors in aviation.
Airspeed Indication Failure on Take-off
Australian Transport Safety Bureau
Final report into the Malaysia Airlines Airbus A330 serious incident at Brisbane, where the aircraft departed with pitot probe covers fitted and unreliable airspeed indications occurred during take-off.
Read the report →Using this Library page
This is a living collection. Relevant references and companion material may be added as the subject is explored in future Pilot Life Podcast episodes.
The material supports further learning and professional reflection. It does not replace legislation, operator procedures, approved training, fatigue-management systems or professional advice. Always consult the original source and confirm that information remains current.