Plain English Meaning

The study of how pilots actually think, sense, and behave in the cockpit, and how those very human traits affect safe flying.

Full Definition

A multidisciplinary field that studies how human capabilities and limitations — physical, perceptual, cognitive, and psychological — interact with aircraft systems, procedures, and the flight environment, with the goal of reducing error and improving safety and performance.

Context Anchor

Seen in discussions of unusual attitudes, aircraft upsets, training, safety, and accident prevention, especially when the pilot’s affects the outcome.