Aerospace Psychology and Human Factors: Applied Methods and Techniques

In the face of evolving technological and societal challenges, this book delves into advanced techniques essential for integrating the human element in aerospace operations and development. Written by experts from academia and the aerospace industry, the volume explores powerful techniques for system safety engineering, innovative design approaches for cockpits, cabins, and space vehicles, and strategies for creating effective assistance systems and implementing artificial intelligence. Chapters present methods for studying typical hazards related to human operations in space, in the air, and on the ground. Additionally, the book explores the use of extended reality technologies (e.g., virtual, augmented, and mixed reality) to enhance operators' perceptions and explore uncharted territories in the universe. Proposals are also made for advancing industry standards and effectively integrating human and organizational factors within the aviation industry. This is an invaluable resource for practitioners, researchers and students interested in aerospace, as well as professionals from other safety critical domains (e.g., medicine, automotive, rail).

Ioana V. Koglbauer received her PhD and Habilitation in psychology from the University of Graz, Austria, and is an experienced aviation psychologist accredited by the European Association for Aviation Psychology. Ioana is affiliated with Airbus Defence and Space GmbH in Germany, and is also a lecturer at Graz University of Technology in Austria. She has led multiple research projects between academia and the aviation industry, and has authored numerous publications. In addition, Ioana served as an expert for various international organisations: The Civil Air Navigation Services Organization (CANSO) and the EASA Human Factors CAG. She was Editor-in-Chief of the peer-reviewed journal Aviation Psychology and Applied Human Factors and Member of the Board of the Directors of the European Association for Aviation Psychology for 4 years (2014–2018). Ioana is also a passionate pilot and instructor with experience in teaching human factors and safety for “Airline Transport Pilot” and “Type Rating Instructor” courses.

Sonja Biede-Straussberger is an expert for cognitive psychology in the Human Factors and Ergonomics Department of Airbus Operations. She received her PhD in psychology in 2006, and holds a master’s degree in educational science, both from the Karl Franzens University of Graz, Austria. Between 2003 and 2006, her studies with EUROCONTROL were focused on monotony in air traffic controllers, and then extended to the human integration in the global aeronautical system. Between 2009 and 2018 she led the Airbus human factors contribution to SESAR, endeavouring to give human operators a central role throughout the engineering cycle. Beyond that, she is actively involved in promoting human factors integration in the industry, such as the French Association for System Engineering or the European Association of Aviation Psychology. She holds a private pilot licence and taught human factors for student pilots as well as engineers. Today, she applies her expertise to continuously improving or developing new products by optimising the human factors contribution along all phases of cockpit design.