Advancing Perspectives: A Scoping Review of Artificial Intelligence Applications in Aviation Human Factors for Flight Crews

Abstract

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) under FAA Order 9550.8A defines Human Factors (HF) as a "multidisciplinary effort to generate and compile information about human capabilities and limitations and apply that information to equipment, systems, facilities, procedures, jobs, environments, training, staffing, and personnel management for safe, comfortable, and effective human performance" (USA Banner, 2024). The rapid evolution of Artificial Intelligence (AI) across various industries including aviation, has dramatically impacted the overall safety, performance status and future sustainability of the aviation industry and its operational ecosystem. Specifically, AI applications in aviation HF have the potential to transform flight operations by enhancing the safety, performance, and well-being of flight crews. AI tools can assist in monitoring physiological and psychological states, improving decision-making processes, and optimizing workload management. This scoping review aims to explore the breadth of AI applications in aviation HF, focusing on their effectiveness, implementation challenges, and areas requiring further research. The main objective of this scope review is to add perspective in terms of the wide variety of tools available through within the domain of AI related to HF for flight crews in aviation. All this, while keeping focused on three major constants in aviation, that of safety, performance and overall efficiency of the existing and future human-environment interaction.

Keywords: Artificial intelligence, human factors, flight crews, safety, performance, digital twins, data analytics, fatigue and stress, decision-making.

DOI: 10.54941/ahfe1005783