Chapter 20 - Human Factors

human engineering (human factors(HF)/ergonomics) assessment during a flight test program of either a new air vehicle or a systems upgrade to an existing vehicle. In general, a comprehensive HF assessment covers all person-machine interface aspects. That is, tests deal with the suitability of the aircraft and its equipment for supporting, and being operated by, the aircrew and ground crew members required to execute the aircraft's mission(s). From the perspective of the aircrew or system operator, a comprehensive HF assessment includes: 1. All controls (for instance, type versus function, activation forces and directions, layout, operation of keyboards in flight, etc.) and displays (i.e., symbology, alphanumerics, font size/type, warnings, cautions and advisories, etc.) 2. All communication devices (radios, intercom) - speech intelligibility 3. Crew station geometry - functional reach and internal field of view 4. Crew station configuration and miscellaneous furnishings, personal protective equipment, lighting, oxygen generating and distributing systems, seat geometry and aircrew comfort, the climatic conditions, noise and vibration levels, and ride quality in crew and passenger compartments, etc. 5. Windshield and canopies (external field of view, optical qualities, etc.) 6.Ingress/egress (normal and emergency, including rescue) 7. Aircrew workload and performance, including measurement of physiological, psychological, and mission related stressors on mission accomplishment.