Human Factors for Flight Operations

Address a Critical Knowledge Gap

Currently, flight operations staff are not mandated to undergo human factors training or demonstrate an understanding of the various factors influencing human performance.

Nevertheless, they are mandated to schedule flight crews, taking HF factors into account, going beyond FTL compliance can predict and manage. At GMR, we address this critical knowledge gap by enhancing understanding of human performance capabilities and limitations across all departments, both above and below the wing.

Improve Crew Roster Decision Making

Our focus extends beyond the standard FTL compliance, allowing us to fill the void and contribute to a more informed decision-making process regarding crew rosters.

Our expertise delves into the profound impact of fatigue on cognitive function, decision-making, and mood. This knowledge instills confidence in decision-making related to crew schedules, offering clear insights into potential triggers that affect crew, flight performance, and overall safety.

Build Trusted Relationships

The result is the establishment of a trustworthy relationship between office-based staff and operational aircrew.

However, it's not only about the crews.  As a member or manager of a flight operations team, it's crucial to recognise and manage your limits.

Course Details

Courses have been designed to enable flight operations staff to effectively support their trained HFPCs and make the most of the intelligence they supply.

Course format

Experience engaging in face-to-face facilitation that ensures a practical understanding about the factors influencing human performance.

Course level

These courses are specifically designed for flight operations staff.

Course size

4-14 people per course.

1 Day Course Content

Our 1-day course, based on the Crew Resource Management model and tailored specifically to flight operations, is delivered by senior operations staff. 

Course Options

Our Human Factors in Flight Operations course is offered as a 1-day course or part of a wider training programme 

1 day programme

1 day course for flight operation staff

Bespoke programme

Bespoke training programes are available on request

‘You can’t change the human condition, but you can change the conditions humans work in.’

‘You can’t change the human condition, but you can change the conditions humans work in.’

Coaching & Mentoring

In performance critical industries, we believe that people come to work to do the best job they can.  

The working environment today is often complex and dynamic, with numerous performance influencing factors shaping the way people think, act and ultimately perform their duties. 

Working pan-industry, we help you to understand these risks, enabling you to get the very best from your people by putting them at the heart of everything you do. 

We call this, “Human Centred Thinking’” and it can transform your business.

Consulting & Advisory

The team at GMR Human Performance work with a diverse array of organisations and we share the good practice that we see from across them all. 

Many of our team have been involved in avoidable accidents and incidents and we are motivated by making an organisation incrementally better at what it does.

We can help you to avoid “Pathemata Mathemata” or learning the hard way by using academic and bespoke in-house tools that help detect organisational drift from design through to operations.

Our tools and models will help you make sense of this drift and help you confirm if it is a risk or a benefit to your people and organisation.

Together we will build a map from the drift we find, and translate that into numerous 1% gains across your business that will ultimately help you leverage a much larger return on your investment into the human factors discipline.

BAM Nuttall and Volkers Wessels M5 Oldbury Viaduct Renewal Scheme

The challenge

The M5 Oldbury Viaduct Renewal project, the largest scaffolding endeavor in Europe, necessitated the implementation of Human Factors (HF) measures after a severe accident left an individual paralysed due to a fall. This incident arose when a seasoned scaffolder and supervisor unintentionally overlooked harness safety. Regrettably, these instances largely went unreported, preventing the joint venture (JV) from being fully aware.

With a goal was to enhance HF practices among frontline workers. 

The solution

Initially, we gathered and reviewed data from observation cards to pinpoint potential problems. The data highlighted reduced trust due to low reporting.

In response, we structured a Human Factors workshop focused on fostering a Just Culture within the BMV. This workshop also educated supervisors about the observation card system’s protective function for them and their teams, while offering guidance on contributing effectively to broader safety initiatives.

The outcome

There was a significant increase in self reporting resulting in a gradual and unwavering increase in trust within the BMV project.  Notably, there was a decrease in the reporting of behaviors, potentially correlated with a perceived reduction in risk-taking among the workforce.

The challenge

As part of a broader leadership development programme, the NHS requested a number of Human Performance workshops to be delivered to senior midwifery leaders. 

The solution

The workshops were designed to help leaders identify and understand the performance-influencing factors that exist in healthcare.  Through interactive sessions, experiential learning, and group exercises, we helped the attending health boards to grow a better understanding of human performance against the context of their own operations.

The outcome

A leadership cadre that felt better equipped to address incidents and occurrences in the workplace, but also felt that they had enough knowledge to reduce and mitigate future incidents through a greater understanding of the human contribution to organisational performance.

An International Airport

The challenge

The challenge was to bring clarity to the insurance risks at a busy overseas airport.  Our goal was to identify potential accident scenarios and evaluate the efficiency of current risk management measures and safeguards in order to bolster confidence when arranging insurance coverage.

The solution

Our team gave broad consideration to potential, credible accident scenarios against existing controls and barriers, to determine whether current levels of insurance cover were sufficient.  This involved an evidence-based assessment of safety management plans, systems, and associated processes against credible accident scenarios to help identify risk reduction opportunities.

The outcome

The project was successful in identifying a number of safety risk reduction opportunities.  We delivered independent assurance of associated levels of insurance cover across all aspects of the airport operation.

Austen Clifford

Austen joined our team in 2021 following his retirement from the Royal Air Force in 2020, where he accumulated nearly 10,000 flying hours during his impressive 34-year tenure as an Air Loadmaster. His illustrious career included serving as a Flight Instructor on both tactical Hercules and strategic C-17 fleets, culminating in his final role as a Flight Trials Evaluator.

With a diverse skill set, Austen brings a wealth of knowledge to the table. He holds a Private Pilot’s Licence (albeit a bit lapsed), and he has successfully instructed aspiring airline pilots in Meteorology and Mass & Balance. Additionally, Austen is a certified Crew Resource Management Trainer,  has completed the Site Management Safety Training Scheme ‘Site Safety Plus’ programme, and is a Mental Health First Aider, further underlining his commitment to safety and well-being.  

Austen’s qualifications extend beyond aviation, as he also possesses a Diploma in Coaching & Mentoring. His extensive background in training, assessing, and personnel management, coupled with his experience in navigating hazardous environments, has instilled in him a deep appreciation for empathy, honesty, and clear communication. Furthermore, he recognises the critical importance of situational awareness and group dynamics in any professional context. Austen is an invaluable addition to our team, bringing with him a wealth of expertise and a dedication to excellence.