Rule Fragmentation in the Airworthiness Regulations: A Human Factors Perspective

As a result of increasing organizational interdependence and integration of systems in commercial airline operation, it is argued that the manner in which human factors issues are addressed in the aviation regulations is becoming increasingly incompatible with human and organizational behavior in an airline. Error and workload are two of the more pervasive aspects of human factors in the airworthiness regulations and are both products of complex interactions among equipment design, procedures, training, and the environment. However, these aspects of human factors cannot be regulated on a localized basis, and a more systemic, holistic approach to the regulation of error and workload is required. It is suggested that a safety case–based approach may be better used as an adjunct to existing regulations for human factors issues.