The impact of psychological factor on the aircraft operation safety

Abstract

Awareness of the radio exchange problems and the robust skills of recognizing and eliminating errors in radio communication will help to free up time and attention for the pilot and air traffic controller (ATC) to efficiently carry out their main professional functions in any circumstances. It is vitally important for pilots and ATCs in stressful situations not to focus their attention on the foreign language interaction that is the activity that only accompanies their main job performance. Analysis of aircraft accident investigation reports shows that language-related accidents mostly have psychological nature. The authors suggest a range of mental and psychophysiological qualities that determine professional competence and reliability of pilots and ATC. They also identify the sources of neuropsychic stress in critical situation and the ways to overcome it. The research results enable to design a language training model based on the analysis of the last-minute records and aircraft accident and incident reports to be able to identify typical problems of radio exchange, fatal language errors which led or could lead to a disaster. The research is aimed at improving aircraft operation and eventually increasing flight safety.