EASA 040

Human Performance

EASA PPL subject 040 — physiology, CRM & situational awareness

Human Performance (040) covers human factors in aviation: from the physiology of the human body at altitude to decision-making under stress and situational awareness. Together with Communications, this is one of the more accessible subjects, but studying less than it deserves is a common mistake.

Topics covered

  • Hypoxia: symptoms, dangers and use of supplemental oxygen
  • Hyperventilation and other physiological hazards
  • Visual illusions and spatial disorientation
  • Decision making: FORDEC model and threat & error management
  • Situational awareness and fixation errors
  • Fatigue, stress and their effect on performance
  • CRM: crew resource management principles

Study tips for Human Performance

1

This subject contains many lists: use mnemonics for IMSAFE, FORDEC.

2

Visual illusions are a recurring exam topic: know all of them by name.

3

Link the material to your own experiences: stress and fatigue are familiar from daily life.

4

Hypoxia symptoms are marked wrong if confused with hyperventilation.

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Specialists for Human Performance

These coaches and tutors specialise in this subject.

A.D.
Subject Expert Technical Subjects

Flight Instructor FI(A) with an MSc in Aerospace. Active instructor and the go-to person for everything related to aircraft systems, aerodynamics and weather.

  • Aircraft General Knowledge (021)
  • Principles of Flight (081)
  • Meteorology (050)
T.B.
Subject Expert Meteorology & Communications

CPL/IR holder and former ATC staff with 10+ years of aviation weather experience. Explains complex weather systems and ATC procedures clearly and practically.

  • Meteorology (050): weather charts, clouds, wind
  • Human Performance (040)
  • Communications (090): ATC & ICAO phraseology

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