NZ-Based Human Factors Expert Recognised

A New Zealand-based human-factors expert, Werner Naef, was awarded a prestigious Special Award recently for his outstanding international commitment and achievements in Aviation Psychology and Human Factors

During its 28th conference, the European Association for Aviation Psychology (EAAP) has, for the third time, presented an EAAP Award in recognition of excellent achievements of individuals and teams in European Aviation Psychology and Human Factors. This third EAAP award was presented to Werner Naef in recognition of his outstanding contribution to aviation psychology in Europe and beyond.

EAAP’s President, Manfred Barbarino, said, “In aviation psychology and human factors, there is a continuous need to identify champions who lead and manage research, development and application throughout the aviation community. Therefore, the EAAP 2008 Award has been presented to Werner Naef in recognition of his outstanding international achievements and contributions to Aviation Psychology over the last 30 years.”

Mr Naef has recently been working with a number of Australasian organisations operating in high-risk areas, such as Qantas, NSW RailCorp, the RNZAF and Sydney Ferries as well as government and health organisations, and he continues to work for aviation organisations in Europe.

“I am delighted to be recognised by EAAP, whose members I have been proud to serve for many years as a member of the EAAP board,” he said.

Mr Naef has worked in aviation for more than 30 years. He flew in the Swiss Air Force and later for Swissair, and has worked as a pilot and instructor, as well as a fleet and training manager. After completion of a postgraduate degree in psychotherapy, he introduced human factors into Swissair and subsequently into the wider aviation industry and provided his expertise to related aviation regulatory authorities in Europe.

Since 2003, Mr Naef has applied his vast experience in various high-risk organisations in the Australasian region, and started his own business with focus on training for leadership, team development, stress management and performance enhancement. At human factors conferences around the world, he is often called upon as lecturer, workshop convenor and keynote speaker. He has been a member of EAAP since 1978 and was a member of the EAAP Board from 1994 until 2000. He still is an EAAP registered Aviation Human Factors Specialist.

The European Association for Aviation Psychology (EAAP) was founded by a group of European psychologists in 1956 and was initially known as the Western European Association for Aviation Psychology (WEAAP); however, due to political changes over the years, the association opened up to Eastern Europe and consequently changed its name to EAAP in 1994.

EAAP is an international, independent, non-profit organisation dedicated to the enhancement of aviation safety and efficiency through the promotion and implementation of psychology in the field of aviation.