What is 'Human Factors Engineering' focused on in aviation?

Human Factors Engineering in aviation is primarily focused on the optimization of tool and system design for safety. This field emphasizes creating aviation systems that are designed with a deep understanding of human abilities and limitations. By taking into account human behavior, cognition, and ergonomics, Human Factors Engineering aims to improve the interaction between people and technology, enhancing operational safety and efficiency.

In aviation, this can mean designing cockpit layouts that reduce pilot workload, ensuring that displays present information in a clear and comprehensible manner, or creating controls that are intuitive and easy to use in critical flight situations. The overall goal is to minimize the likelihood of human errors and enhance performance by aligning the system with how humans naturally operate and perceive their environment.

While advanced flight technology is certainly important, the focus of Human Factors Engineering is not solely on the technology itself but rather on how that technology fits into the human operational context. Reducing the number of regulations does not align with the primary goal of optimizing safety through design, and while evaluating pilot performance is relevant, it is just one aspect of a broader goal that includes the design and systems surrounding the pilot's role.