Human Factor Aeronautics Laboratory (HFA)

The study of Human Factor is based on the understanding and correlation of human behavior in relation to the activities performed. The Aeronautical Human Factor Laboratory (HFA) hosts some of the teaching and research activities related to the Degree Course in Aerospace Engineering and primarily the flight simulators for research activities on Human Factor in the aeronautical field.

In this specific case, reference is made to the operations that the pilot performs during the flight phases both individually and in Multi Crew Co-operation (MCC). The laboratory has a flight simulator, of the Full Flight Simulator (FFS) type classifiable at EASA level “D”, which replicates the CESSNA Citation C560 XL aircraft and a static simulator FNPT – MCC II which replicates the EC-135 twin-engine rotary wing aircraft. Both simulators are located within the MARTA Mediterranean Aeronautics Research & Training Academy center.
One of the main objectives pursued through the activities carried out is to study the pilot's aptitude to perform exercises with different levels of workload and analyze their behavior in terms of performance, workload and situation awareness. To achieve this objective, the currently recognized tools are based on subjective investigation techniques, used to evaluate the pilots during or even at the end of the tests. Alongside this classic analysis methodology, biometric and performance data are acquired, through sensors that are as non-invasive, smart and contactless as possible, for an objective evaluation of the pilot's behavior. Both investigation methodologies are constantly developed and compared in order to validate the research and keep it updated to the international context. Experiments involving human beings are preliminarily submitted to the opinion of the University Ethics Committee in compliance with current regulations.

The research activities carried out at the HFA laboratory range from the characterization and analysis of the objective and subjective behavior of flight personnel, to that of passengers or ground personnel such as air traffic controllers. Experiments are carried out on non-invasive and contactless platforms and sensors for real-time monitoring of the human body response as a function of the workload experienced.

Alongside the research activities conducted through the use of flight simulators, the laboratory's research activities also focus on the study of the behavior of pilots of remotely piloted aircraft. In fact, although recent technological developments in the field of artificial intelligence and smart mobility are progressing towards an increasing use of autonomous aircraft, the currently existing remotely piloted aircraft include, in the flight management and control loop, the pilot as an active part of the process. Therefore, also for these aircraft, monitoring of the human factor is an element to be analyzed.
Further research activities of the laboratory concern the comfort of the human being, both in the aeronautical context and by extension in other fields. These researches focus not only on the comfort related to vibrations in terms of amplitude and frequency, to which the human body can be subjected, but through the instruments provided to the laboratory it is possible to analyze the comfort related to noise, light intensity and temperature both in real and simulated contexts.
The results of the research described and conducted in the aeronautical field can find wide application in other contexts related to mobility, medical sciences and energy saving.