School: Engineering

This unit information may be updated and amended immediately prior to semester. To ensure you have the correct outline, please check it again at the beginning of semester.

  • Unit Title

    Human Factors in Aviation
  • Unit Code

    SCA1117
  • Year

    2021
  • Enrolment Period

    1
  • Version

    3
  • Credit Points

    15
  • Full Year Unit

    N
  • Mode of Delivery

    On Campus
    Online
  • Unit Coordinator

    Mr Borislav KULIC

Description

This unit highlights the theoretical underpinning knowledge required to understand the complexity of interaction between the physiology of the human body and the flying environment. Significant emphasis will be placed on human biology as the most limiting component of flight safety. Various methodologies necessary to monitor and control human factors during preparation for and execution of flight operations will be scrutinised. The necessary psychological training for the crucial task of flight deck decision-making will be also discussed.

Learning Outcomes

On completion of this unit students should be able to:

  1. Discuss the relevance of human factors in aviation accidents/incidents.
  2. Describe the impact of altitude and acceleration on human physiological and psychological systems.
  3. Discuss the impact of altitude on human information processing and decision making during flying.
  4. Explain the importance of personal health in the aviation context.
  5. Explain the basic principles of ergonomic design of an aircraft cockpit.

Unit Content

  1. Diet and exercise, coronary risk factors, upper respiratory tract infection, injuries and infections, emotional health, dehydration, ageing.
  2. Aviation medical examinations, drug and alcohol effects, blood donation.
  3. Respiratory system, hypoxia and hyperventilation, effects of pressure changes, anatomy of the eye and ear, vision, spatial disorientation and illusions, fatigue and stress, motion sickness, effects of acceleration, toxic hazards.
  4. Information processing and decision making, human error, stress and stress management, fatigue, body rhythm and sleep, basic ergonomics.
  5. Fundamentals of desert and maritime survival, basic first aid.

Learning Experience

ON-CAMPUS

Students will attend on campus classes as well as engage in learning activities through ECUs LMS

JoondalupMount LawleySouth West (Bunbury)
Semester 213 x 2 hour lectureNot OfferedNot Offered
Semester 213 x 1 hour tutorialNot OfferedNot Offered

For more information see the Semester Timetable

ONLINE

Students will engage in learning experiences through ECUs LMS as well as additional ECU l

Additional Learning Experience Information

Lectures and tutorials.

Assessment

GS1 GRADING SCHEMA 1 Used for standard coursework units

Students please note: The marks and grades received by students on assessments may be subject to further moderation. All marks and grades are to be considered provisional until endorsed by the relevant School Progression Panel.

ON CAMPUS
TypeDescriptionValue
TestProgress test 10%
AssignmentHuman performance issues20%
Reflective PracticeHuman psychological considerations20%
ExaminationEnd of semester examination50%
ONLINE
TypeDescriptionValue
TestProgress test 10%
Reflective PracticeHuman psychological considerations20%
AssignmentSummative assessment of unit content50%
AssignmentHuman performance issues20%

Disability Standards for Education (Commonwealth 2005)

For the purposes of considering a request for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Commonwealth 2005), inherent requirements for this subject are articulated in the Unit Description, Learning Outcomes and Assessment Requirements of this entry. The University is dedicated to provide support to those with special requirements. Further details on the support for students with disabilities or medical conditions can be found at the Access and Inclusion website.

Academic Misconduct

Edith Cowan University has firm rules governing academic misconduct and there are substantial penalties that can be applied to students who are found in breach of these rules. Academic misconduct includes, but is not limited to:

  • plagiarism;
  • unauthorised collaboration;
  • cheating in examinations;
  • theft of other students' work;

Additionally, any material submitted for assessment purposes must be work that has not been submitted previously, by any person, for any other unit at ECU or elsewhere.

The ECU rules and policies governing all academic activities, including misconduct, can be accessed through the ECU website.

SCA1117|3|1

School: Engineering

This unit information may be updated and amended immediately prior to semester. To ensure you have the correct outline, please check it again at the beginning of semester.

  • Unit Title

    Human Factors in Aviation
  • Unit Code

    SCA1117
  • Year

    2021
  • Enrolment Period

    2
  • Version

    3
  • Credit Points

    15
  • Full Year Unit

    N
  • Mode of Delivery

    On Campus
    Online
  • Unit Coordinator

    Mr Borislav KULIC

Description

This unit highlights the theoretical underpinning knowledge required to understand the complexity of interaction between the physiology of the human body and the flying environment. Significant emphasis will be placed on human biology as the most limiting component of flight safety. Various methodologies necessary to monitor and control human factors during preparation for and execution of flight operations will be scrutinised. The necessary psychological training for the crucial task of flight deck decision-making will be also discussed.

Learning Outcomes

On completion of this unit students should be able to:

  1. Discuss the relevance of human factors in aviation accidents/incidents.
  2. Describe the impact of altitude and acceleration on human physiological and psychological systems.
  3. Discuss the impact of altitude on human information processing and decision making during flying.
  4. Explain the importance of personal health in the aviation context.
  5. Explain the basic principles of ergonomic design of an aircraft cockpit.

Unit Content

  1. Diet and exercise, coronary risk factors, upper respiratory tract infection, injuries and infections, emotional health, dehydration, ageing.
  2. Aviation medical examinations, drug and alcohol effects, blood donation.
  3. Respiratory system, hypoxia and hyperventilation, effects of pressure changes, anatomy of the eye and ear, vision, spatial disorientation and illusions, fatigue and stress, motion sickness, effects of acceleration, toxic hazards.
  4. Information processing and decision making, human error, stress and stress management, fatigue, body rhythm and sleep, basic ergonomics.
  5. Fundamentals of desert and maritime survival, basic first aid.

Learning Experience

ON-CAMPUS

Students will attend on campus classes as well as engage in learning activities through ECUs LMS

JoondalupMount LawleySouth West (Bunbury)
Semester 213 x 2 hour lectureNot OfferedNot Offered
Semester 213 x 1 hour tutorialNot OfferedNot Offered

For more information see the Semester Timetable

ONLINE

Students will engage in learning experiences through ECUs LMS as well as additional ECU l

Assessment

GS1 GRADING SCHEMA 1 Used for standard coursework units

Students please note: The marks and grades received by students on assessments may be subject to further moderation. All marks and grades are to be considered provisional until endorsed by the relevant School Progression Panel.

ON CAMPUS
TypeDescriptionValue
TestProgress test 10%
AssignmentHuman performance issues20%
Reflective PracticeHuman psychological considerations20%
ExaminationEnd of semester examination50%
ONLINE
TypeDescriptionValue
TestProgress test 10%
Reflective PracticeHuman psychological considerations20%
AssignmentSummative assessment of unit content50%
AssignmentHuman performance issues20%

Disability Standards for Education (Commonwealth 2005)

For the purposes of considering a request for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Commonwealth 2005), inherent requirements for this subject are articulated in the Unit Description, Learning Outcomes and Assessment Requirements of this entry. The University is dedicated to provide support to those with special requirements. Further details on the support for students with disabilities or medical conditions can be found at the Access and Inclusion website.

Academic Misconduct

Edith Cowan University has firm rules governing academic misconduct and there are substantial penalties that can be applied to students who are found in breach of these rules. Academic misconduct includes, but is not limited to:

  • plagiarism;
  • unauthorised collaboration;
  • cheating in examinations;
  • theft of other students' work;

Additionally, any material submitted for assessment purposes must be work that has not been submitted previously, by any person, for any other unit at ECU or elsewhere.

The ECU rules and policies governing all academic activities, including misconduct, can be accessed through the ECU website.

SCA1117|3|2