ABSTRACT
This introduction presents an overview of the key concepts discussed in the subsequent chapters of this book. The book focuses on the role of psychology in the aviation system – the ways in which psychological ideas and theories support and inform how things are done, or might be done, in aviation. It describes aviation as a socio-technical system. Needless to say the socio-technical system which is described is not the familiar ‘man—machine interface’ of classic ergonomics, where the emphasis is on the precise interaction between an individual and a piece of equipment. The book discusses the issue from the starting point of the organization’s philosophy regarding how it wishes its aircraft to be operated. It draws on the management of safety in aircraft ground handling, though the context is radically different. The book examines aircraft maintenance make clear, aviation is a set of interdependent socio-technical systems in which airborne safety relies on safe practices in maintainance and ground handling.
