Skip to content
View menu
Aeronautical Enterprises Online Training Portal
Log in
HFCW Calendar view

HUMAN FACTORS AND CREW WELLNESS (HFCW)


Course
Quantity
For someone else
Quantity
For someone else
Purchase for $660 (AUD) incl. GST or enter access code

HUMAN FACTORS AND CREW WELLNESS (HFCW)

HUMAN FACTORS AND CREW WELLNESS (HFCW) COURSE 

HFCW ONLINE course - AUD $600.00* (ex GST)

Course Overview

This course explores the complex human factors and wellbeing challenges faced by aviation and helideck personnel working in offshore, remote, or rotational environments. It combines established aviation human factors principles with insights from FIFO mental health and wellness programs, creating a holistic approach to safety and performance.

Participants will learn how to recognise and manage fatigue, stress, and isolation; improve communication and decision-making under pressure; and contribute to a positive safety and wellness culture.
The course aligns with key international and Australian frameworks, including:

  • ICAO Human Performance and Limitations
  • CASA Human Factors guidance (CASR Part 145)
  • IOGP 697 – Section 8 (Personnel and Training)
  • WA Code of Practice: Mentally Healthy Workplaces for FIFO Workers
  • OPITO HERTL and HERTM non-technical skill requirements

Designed for the realities of offshore life, this self-paced online program blends human performance theory with practical wellbeing tools that strengthen both individual resilience and team safety culture.

 

Course Structure

The course consists of seven interactive modules with short video clips, case studies, reflective activities, and knowledge checks. Participants can complete the content at their own pace, typically within 4–6 hours.

Modules

1.      Understanding Human Factors in Remote Aviation Operations

Introduces human factors principles, the interaction between people, equipment, and environment, and the human performance triangle.

 

2.      Fatigue Risk and Performance Management

Examines fatigue science, circadian rhythms, and strategies for managing alertness, rest, and energy offshore.

 

3.      Mental Health, Stress and Wellbeing Offshore

Identifies early signs of stress and burnout, explores resilience techniques, and promotes psychological safety and peer support.

 

4.      Communication and Team Dynamics in Remote Environments

Focuses on clear communication, cultural awareness, shift handovers, and trust-building within small offshore teams.

 

5.      Human Performance and Decision Making Under Pressure

Covers situational awareness, cognitive biases, and structured decision-making frameworks (TEM and FOR-DEC).

 

6.      Health, Lifestyle and Wellness Offshore

Provides practical guidance on nutrition, hydration, exercise, sleep, and substance awareness for rotational workers.

 

7.      Leadership and Wellness Culture

Emphasises the role of supervisors and HLOs in promoting a mentally healthy workplace, psychosocial risk management, and Just Culture principles.

 

At the end of each module, participants complete a short quiz and reflection activity.  A final assessment consolidates learning and awards a Certificate of Completion from an ISO 9001:2015 certified provider.

 

Key Topics Covered

  • Human factors and their influence on safety in offshore aviation
  • The human performance triangle: capability, task, and environment
  • Fatigue science, roster design, and self-management strategies
  • Psychological wellbeing and resilience for FIFO/DIDO personnel
  • Peer support, communication, and psychological safety
  • Situational awareness and decision-making frameworks
  • Health optimisation through sleep, nutrition, and exercise
  • Substance and caffeine awareness in aviation contexts
  • Leadership responsibilities and psychosocial risk management
  • Building and sustaining a wellness-oriented safety culture

 

Course Objectives

By the end of the program, participants will:

  1. Understand how human factors influence performance, safety, and decision-making in offshore aviation.
  2. Recognise early signs of fatigue, stress, and burnout and apply practical self-management strategies.
  3. Strengthen situational awareness, teamwork, and communication across multicultural and remote teams.
  4. Apply structured frameworks for decision-making under pressure, including TEM and FOR-DEC.
  5. Develop personal wellness strategies to support long-term career sustainability.
  6. Contribute to a Just Culture that promotes open reporting and psychological safety.
  7. Understand the supervisor’s role in fostering mental health and wellbeing within the crew.

 

Target Audience

This course is designed for personnel working in offshore or remote aviation environments, including:

  • Offshore Helideck Crew (HLOs, HDAs, and ERT Members)
  • Onshore and Offshore Helicopter Base Personnel
  • Aviation Supervisors, Duty Holders, and Contractors
  • Remote Operations, FIFO, and DIDO Aviation Workers
  • Safety, Compliance, and Training Officers seeking to integrate wellness principles into operational safety systems

The course is also relevant to organisations wishing to strengthen their human factors and wellbeing programs in compliance with modern aviation and safety standards.

 

Course Pre-Requisites

There are no formal prerequisites, though participants should have basic familiarity with offshore or aviation operations. The course content is designed for professionals working in:

  • Helideck operations
  • Offshore logistics and flight coordination
  • Aviation support or safety roles
  • Remote transport, search and rescue, or energy sector aviation

Participants are encouraged to complete this training as part of their ongoing competency or refresher development in safety, human factors, or crew wellbeing.

 

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion, participants will be able to:

  1. Explain the role of human factors in offshore and remote aviation safety.
  2. Identify fatigue risks and apply evidence-based fatigue management techniques.
  3. Recognise and manage the psychological impacts of isolation, stress, and shift work.
  4. Communicate effectively across diverse, high-pressure team environments.
  5. Demonstrate structured thinking and calm decision-making in dynamic situations.
  6. Apply personal wellness strategies to enhance resilience, health, and safety performance.
  7. Contribute to a supportive and mentally healthy workplace culture that aligns with industry standards and regulatory expectations.

 

*PAYMENT NOTES

If you have any difficulties using the online payment portal or paying by credit card, please contact office@flightsafety.com.au or call +61 (0)7 5448 2788 to arrange enrolment into the course.
We will issue a pro-forma invoice and, once it is paid, we will submit the enrolment coupon code with full instructions on how to proceed.

 

Here is the course outline:

1. MODULE 1: UNDERSTANDING HUMAN FACTORS IN REMOTE AVIATION OPERATIONS

The introduction gives a brief overview of the Flight Safety Group and HFCW training course. This module introduces the concept of Human Factors and how it applies to offshore and remote aviation settings. It explores how people interact with their environment, technology, and tasks, and why understanding these interactions is essential for safe and efficient helideck operations.

12 sections
Flight Safety Group
Aim and Objectives of the HFCW Training Course
Regulatory and Industry Standards: Human Factors and Psychological Safety
Understanding Human Factors in Remote Aviation Operations
Element 1.1 – What Are Human Factors and Why They Matter for Helideck Operations
Element 1.2 – Interaction Between People, Equipment and Environment in Offshore Contexts
Element 1.3 – The Human Performance Triangle
Element 1.4 – Case Examples of Human Error in Helideck and Aviation Support Roles
Element 1.5 – Building a Human Factors Mindset
Element 1.6 – Linking Human Factors to Safety and Efficiency
Element 1.7 – Summary
HFCW Module 1 - Quiz

2. MODULE 2: FATIGUE RISK AND PERFORMANCE MANAGEMENT

Fatigue is one of the most common and underestimated safety risks in remote operations. This module examines how roster patterns, long commutes, and disrupted sleep affect performance and safety. Participants learn practical ways to manage fatigue through better rest, hydration, and lifestyle awareness.

11 sections
Introduction
Element 2.1 – Fatigue as a Safety Hazard and Performance Impairment
Element 2.2 – Understanding Circadian Rhythms and Sleep Cycles
Element 2.3 – Roster Design and Commute Impact in FIFO/DIDO Contexts
Element 2.4 – Strategies for Managing Fatigue Offshore and During Shift Transitions
Element 2.5 - Personal Sleep, Hydration and Nutrition Management
Element 2.6 - Monitoring and Reporting Fatigue in Operations
Element 2.7 - Australian Case Example – The Cost of Fatigue in Aviation Maintenance
Element 2.8 - Building a Culture of Fatigue Awareness
Element 2.9 - Summary
HFCW Module 2 - Quiz

3. MODULE 3 – MENTAL HEALTH, STRESS AND WELLBEING OFFSHORE

Working offshore or remotely brings unique psychological challenges. This module helps participants identify signs of stress and burnout, develop coping mechanisms, and build resilience. It also emphasises the importance of peer support, mental health awareness, and maintaining healthy routines while away from home.

10 sections
Introduction
Element 3.1 – Recognising Early Signs of Stress and Burnout
Element 3.2 – Mental Health Challenges in Remote and Isolated Workplaces
Element 3.3 – Resilience Building and Coping Strategies
Element 3.4 – Peer Support and Psychological Safety in Small Teams
Element 3.5 – Balancing Work, Family and Re-integration Home
Element 3.6 – Australian Context – FIFO Mental Health and Safety
Element 3.7 – Building a Culture of Care
Element 3.8 – Summary
HFCW Module 3 - Quiz

4. MODULE 4 – COMMUNICATION AND TEAM DYNAMICS IN REMOTE ENVIRONMENTS

Effective communication underpins every safe operation. This module looks at common communication breakdowns, cultural differences, and team dynamics in offshore environments. Participants learn how to strengthen collaboration, improve handovers, and build trust within small, diverse crews.

11 sections
Introduction
Element 4.1 – The Impact of Communication Failures on Safety and Team Cohesion
Element 4.2 – Understanding Team Dynamics in Remote Settings
Element 4.3 – Cultural and Linguistic Diversity in Offshore Aviation Teams
Element 4.4 – Effective Handover and Shift Communication Techniques
Element 4.5 – Conflict Resolution and Building Trust in Tight Quarters
Element 4.6 – Leadership and Communication Under Pressure
Element 4.7 – Australian Case Example – The Importance of Communication Discipline
Element 4.8 – Strengthening Team Cohesion Offshore
Element 4.9 – Summary
HFCW Module 4 - Quiz

5. MODULE 5 – HUMAN PERFORMANCE AND DECISION MAKING UNDER PRESSURE

Decision-making in high-stress or emergency situations can be challenging. This module explores how situational awareness, cognitive bias, and mental workload influence judgement. Using practical models such as TEM and FOR-DEC, participants learn how to make clear, structured decisions under pressure.

10 sections
Introduction
Element 5.1 – Understanding Human Performance Under Stress
Element 5.2 – Cognitive Biases and Judgement in Aviation Decision-Making
Element 5.3 – Situational Awareness in Dynamic and High-Risk Operations
Element 5.4 – Decision-Making Models: TEM and FOR-DEC Frameworks
Element 5.5 – Managing Stress Response During Helideck Emergencies
Element 5.6 – Training for Performance Under Pressure
Element 5.7 – Recognising and Recovering from Human Error
Element 5.8 – Summary
HFCW Module 5 - Quiz

6. MODULE 6 – HEALTH, LIFESTYLE AND WELLNESS OFFSHORE

Personal wellness plays a major role in long-term safety and job satisfaction. This module provides practical guidance on maintaining physical and mental health offshore — covering topics such as nutrition, hydration, exercise, and recovery. Participants are encouraged to create their own personal wellness plan.

11 sections
Introduction
Element 6.1 – The Link Between Health, Wellness and Safety
Element 6.2 – Nutrition for Rotational Workforces
Element 6.3 – Hydration and Its Impact on Performance
Element 6.4 – Fitness and Physical Activity Offshore
Element 6.5 – Sleep Hygiene and Recovery
Element 6.6 – Alcohol, Substance and Caffeine Awareness
Element 6.7 – Building a Personal Wellness Plan
Element 6.8 – Supporting Long-Term Career Sustainability
Element 6.9 – Summary
HFCW Module 6 - Quiz

7. MODULE 7 – LEADERSHIP AND WELLNESS CULTURE

Leaders and supervisors have a crucial role in setting the tone for wellbeing and safety. This module focuses on leadership behaviours that foster trust, open communication, and a mentally healthy workplace. It aligns with the WA FIFO Code of Practice and introduces principles of just culture and psychosocial safety.

10 sections
Introduction
Element 7.1 – The Supervisor’s Role in Promoting Crew Wellness and Safety
Element 7.2 – Identifying Psychosocial Hazards and Duty-of-Care Obligations
Element 7.3 – Creating a Mentally Healthy Workplace Offshore
Element 7.4 – Just Culture and Open Reporting in Aviation Teams
Element 7.5 – Leadership Communication and Emotional Intelligence
Element 7.6 – Embedding Wellness Culture into Operations
Element 7.7 – Australian Example – Leading by Example
Element 7.8 – Summary
HFCW Module 7 - Quiz

8. COURSE FEEDBACK

Please complete these 5 questions to submit your feedback on this course.

1 section
Course Feedback

9. COURSE COMPLETION

Thank you for completing the Aeronautical Enterprises Pty Ltd HFCW Course.

1 section
Course Completion

Completion

The following certificates are awarded when the course is completed:

HFCW_Certificate of Completion_Award
Back to top