EASA executive director Patrick Ky has issued a decision that directs airworthiness authorities to ensure that human factors are systematically considered during the design and certification process of rotorcraft cockpits. This will help to “reduce the risk of design-related errors attributable to human factors that may lead to or contribute to an accident or incident,” EASA said.

Specifically, CS-Parts 27 and 29 (small and large helicopters) have been immediately updated to introduce certification specifications for human factors assessment of all the installed equipment intended for use by flight crewmembers.

Regarding the investigation of rotorcraft accidents and incidents, certification specifications and acceptable means of compliance for large helicopters have been created or amended to support operational rules requiring the recording of datalink communications. In addition, they also seek to improve the serviceability of flight recorders and the audio quality of cockpit voice recorders recordings, “ensuring better data analysis related to accidents or incidents.”

EASA based the directive on previous rulemaking proposals and consequent amendments the agency adopted after consulting “interested parties on the matters which are the subject of this decision.”