Review of Human factors in air transport design

Abstract

Reviews the book, Human factors in air transport design by Ross A. McFarland (1946). A failure to give adequate forethought in designing aircraft to the relationship between human and physical variables in flight has given rise to major problems involving: (1) the safety and efficiency of operations as affected by the performance of the flight crew, (2) the comfort and well-being of passengers, and (3) costly modifications of transports after delivery. This is Dr. McFarland's main thesis. As a contribution to the solution of these problems, he systematically describes and analyzes ten major considerations of importance to personnel in transport design, giving: (1) specific illustrations of faults revealed in scheduled operations, (2) a brief description of the physical nature of the relevant variables encountered in flight, (3) an analysis of the relationship between physical stimulus and the sensory reactions of crew and passengers, and (4) recommendations concerning the limits within which the physical variables should be controlled. For the task of integrating the contributions of the physiologist, the psychologist, and the aeronautical engineer, Dr. McFarland is probably uniquely qualified. He has done an exhaustive task in a thoroughly workmanlike manner. Though the pace is at times pedestrian, his contribution is solid and important. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2025 APA, all rights reserved)