INVESTIGATION OF THE EFFECT OF COMPETENCY ASSESSMENT PROCESSES ON AIRCRAFT MAINTENANCE TECHNICIAN

2019 ◽  
pp. 36-44
Author(s):  
Tarık GÜNEŞ ◽  
Uğur TURHAN ◽  
Birsen AÇIKEL
Keyword(s):  
Negative Impact ◽  
Human Resources Management ◽  
Aviation Industry ◽  
Competency Assessment ◽  
Aircraft Maintenance ◽  
Aircraft Accidents ◽  
Flight Operations ◽  
Maintenance Technicians ◽  
Maintenance Activities ◽  
Aviation Operations

ABSTRACT Aircraft maintenance activities are one of the most important criteria for the safe and effective execution of aviation operations. In aircraft accidents and incidents, maintenance factor is vital for the development of safety for organizations, authorities and countries in the aviation field. Effective maintenance activities will also contribute to the costs of organizations by ensuring the safe operations of aircraft with people. Maintenance activities are carried out by maintenance technicians in areas such as hangars or aprons. Aircraft maintenance technicians' performance in performing maintenance activities directly impacts flight safety and technician safety, which in turn has a positive or negative impact on organizations. Improving technician competency assessment processes can reduce maintenance errors, improve technician performance, create positive impacts on safe and efficient flight operations, reduce maintenance costs and benefit of entire aviation industry. Technician competency should be considered in performance evaluations and assignments by assessing in all levels with the compatibility of videly used human resources management methods. In this study, technician competence assessment processes are mentioned, the effects of these processes on aviation safety are explained and solutions are proposed to develop and apply the assessment processes. Keywords: Aircraft maintenance, aircraft maintenance technician competency, competency assessment, human factors in aviation.

scholarly journals An Assessment of Aircraft Maintenance Technician Competency

2020 ◽  
Vol vm01 (is01) ◽  
pp. 22-29
Author(s):  
Tarik Gunes ◽  
Ugur Turhan ◽  
Birsen Acikel
Keyword(s):  
Negative Impact ◽  
Human Resources Management ◽  
Aviation Industry ◽  
Competency Assessment ◽  
Aircraft Maintenance ◽  
Aircraft Accidents ◽  
Flight Operations ◽  
Maintenance Technicians ◽  
Maintenance Activities ◽  
Aviation Operations

Aircraft maintenance activities are one of the most important criteria for the safe and effective execution of aviation operations., In aircraft accidents and incidents, maintenance factor is vital for the development of safety for organizations, authorities, and countries in the aviation field. Effective maintenance activities will also contribute to the costs of organizations by ensuring the safe operations of aircraft with people. Maintenance activities are carried out by maintenance technicians in areas such as hangars or aprons. Aircraft maintenance technicians' performance in performing maintenance activities directly impacts flight safety and technician safety, which in turn has a positive or negative impact on organizations. Improving technician competency assessment processes can reduce maintenance errors, improve technician performance, create positive impacts on safe and efficient flight operations, reduce maintenance costs and benefit of the entire aviation industry. Technician competency should be considered in performance evaluations and assignments by assessing at all levels with the compatibility of widely used human resources management methods. In this study, technician competency assessment processes are mentioned, the effects of these processes on aviation safety are explained and solutions are proposed to develop and apply the assessment processes.

scholarly journals Psychometric Properties of the Oldenburg Burnout Inventory in a Portuguese Sample of Aircraft Maintenance Technicians

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cátia Reis ◽  
Miguel Tecedeiro ◽  
Pollyana Pellegrino ◽  
Teresa Paiva ◽  
João P. Marôco
Keyword(s):  
Psychometric Properties ◽  
Critical Role ◽  
Good Evidence ◽  
Burnout Syndrome ◽  
Aviation Industry ◽  
Aircraft Maintenance ◽  
Personal Efficacy ◽  
Group Data ◽  
Oldenburg Burnout Inventory ◽  
Maintenance Technicians

From its initial conceptualization as emotional exhaustion, cynicism, and reduced personal efficacy for the help professions, burnout has received increasing attention in modern times, especially after the 2019 WHO’s inclusion of this syndrome in the ICD-11 list. Burnout can be measured using several psychometric instruments that range in dimensionality, number of items, copyrighted, and free use formats. Here, we report the psychometric properties of data gathered with the Oldenburg Burnout Inventory (OLBI) in a sample of Portuguese Aircraft maintenance technicians. As far as we know, this is the first study addressing the burnout syndrome in this occupational group. Data gathered with the OLBI displayed good evidence of validity related to internal structure, to other variables, with good evidence of reliability. We showed that burnout significantly correlated with mental and physical fatigue emphasizing the vital critical role that these variables play with safety in the aviation industry.

Factors Contributing to Accidents During Aerobatic Flight Operations

2021 ◽  
Vol 92 (8) ◽  
pp. 612-618
Author(s):  
David G. Newman
Keyword(s):  
Fatal Outcome ◽  
Fatal Accidents ◽  
Aircraft Accidents ◽  
Flight Operations ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Operational Decision Making ◽  
Minor Injuries ◽  
Major Factors ◽  
Aircraft Accident ◽  
Injury Outcomes

INTRODUCTION: Aerobatic flight operations involve a higher level of risk than standard flight operations. Aerobatics imposes considerable stresses on both the aircraft and the pilot. The purpose of this study was to analyze civilian aerobatic aircraft accidents in Australia, with particular emphasis on the underlying accident causes and survival outcomes.METHODS: The accident and incident database of the Australian Transport Safety Bureau was searched for all events involving aerobatic flight for the period 19802010.RESULTS: A total of 51 accidents involving aircraft undertaking aerobatic operations were identified, with 71 aircraft occupants. Of the accidents, 27 (52.9) were fatal, resulting in a total of 36 fatalities. There were 24 nonfatal accidents. In terms of injury outcomes, there were 4 serious and 9 minor injuries, and 22 accidents in which no injuries were recorded. Fatal accidents were mainly due to loss of control by the pilot (44.4), in-flight structural failure of the airframe (25.9), and terrain impact (25.9). G-LOC was considered a possible cause in 11.1 of fatal accidents. Nonfatal accidents were mainly due to powerplant failure (41.7) and noncatastrophic airframe damage (25). Accidents involving aerobatic maneuvering have a significantly increased risk of a fatal outcome (odds ratio 26).DISCUSSION: The results of this study highlight the risks involved in aerobatic flight. Exceeding the operational limits of the maneuver and the design limits of the aircraft are major factors contributing to a fatal aerobatic aircraft accident. Improved awareness of G physiology and better operational decision-making while undertaking aerobatic flight may help prevent further accidents.Newman DG. Factors contributing to accidents during aerobatic flight operations. Aerosp Med Hum Perform. 2021; 92(8):612618.

scholarly journals Challenges Caused by the Unmanned Aerial Vehicle in the Air Traffic Management

2017 ◽  
Vol 47 (2) ◽  
pp. 96-105 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zsolt Sándor
Keyword(s):  
Unmanned Aerial Vehicle ◽  
Traffic Control ◽  
Traffic Management ◽  
Unmanned Vehicles ◽  
Air Traffic ◽  
Aviation Industry ◽  
Operational Environment ◽  
Flight Operations ◽  
Aerial Vehicle ◽  
Operational Issues

The increasing number of unmanned aerial vehicle poses new challenges in the aviation industry especially the air traffic control, which is responsible for the safe flight operations in the controlled airspaces. In order to protect the conventional aircraft a new operation environment has to be created, which guarantee the safe flying and the possibility of the fulfilment of the flight. In the article drone related safety and operational problems are highlighted. All issue connected to the coexistence of manned and unmanned aircrafts are critical, thus their management have significant importance.Spread and wide use of unmanned aerial vehicle traffic management systems (UTM) can manage the critical operational issues, but is has to be defined that what is the problem, what is the scope, what is the operational environment. Services and functions related to the operation of the UTM system are defined, which are necessary for the safe flying fulfilled by the unmanned vehicles.

Researchers from Portugal have shown how different career strategies influence career development for university graduates

2020 ◽  
Vol 28 (6) ◽  
pp. 41-43
Keyword(s):  
Negative Impact ◽  
Human Resources Management ◽  
Academic Community ◽  
Healthcare Management ◽  
University Graduates ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Business Studies ◽  
Career Strategies ◽  
One Year ◽  
Positive Effect

Purpose The researchers wanted to compare a “traditional career attitude” (TCA), which stresses upward mobility at one company, with a “boundary-less career attitude” (BCA), which focuses on career mobility Design/methodology/approach To test their hypotheses, the authors looked for recent master’s graduates from a large Portuguese university who had been working more than one year. They were students of business studies, human resources management, healthcare management, accounting, marketing and strategy. The graduates received questionnaires to fill in. A total of 131 completed them successfully, with 63% being female respondents. Findings The results showed a TCA had a positive effect on internal employability (IE), but no negative impact on external employability (EE). Meanwhile, the results also confirmed the negative impact on IE of a BCA, whereas there was no significant positive effect on EE. Originality/value The authors felt their study made a number of important contributions both to the academic community, and to increasing the employability of graduates.

Development of an Error Detection Instrument for Aircraft Maintenance

2019 ◽  
Vol 45 ◽  
pp. 156-170
Author(s):  
Ekene Gabriel Okafor ◽  
Ugomma Esther Aturuocha ◽  
Osaretin Kole ◽  
Musibau Adekunle Soladoye
Keyword(s):  
Error Detection ◽  
Qualitative Data ◽  
Control Process ◽  
Study Data ◽  
Engine Oil ◽  
Aircraft Maintenance ◽  
Quality Control Process ◽  
Maintenance Activities ◽  
Detection Instrument ◽  
Research Assistants

This work focuses on the development of an Error Detection Instrument (EDI), applicable in aircraft maintenance operations. Thirteen aircraft maintenance tasks were identified and used to develop the EDI. The EDI was validated by four professionals presently employed in different aviation organizations within and outside Nigeria. The study data was collected via careful observations of two maintenance activities such as landing gear maintenance and engine oil servicing using two trained research assistants. Qualitative data analysis was conducted by comparing collected data against the approved procedures as well as maintenance manual and the result of the study revealed the occurrence of errors during inspection, cleaning/lubrication, training, troubleshooting and documentation tasks. The safety implications of the tracked errors were adequately discussed. It is recommended that the EDI should be incorporated into the maintenance document and quality control process of Approved Maintenance Organizations (AMOs).

scholarly journals Penguins, Birds, and Pilot Knowledge: Can an Overlooked Attribute of Human Cognition Explain Our Most Puzzling Aircraft Accidents?

2020 ◽  
pp. 001872082096087
Author(s):  
Richard Clewley ◽  
Jim Nixon
Keyword(s):  
Human Cognition ◽  
Pilot Training ◽  
Flight Safety ◽  
Aircraft Accidents ◽  
Event Knowledge ◽  
Flight Operations ◽  
Safety Event ◽  
Explicit Training ◽  
Pilot Behavior

Objective We extend the theory of conceptual categories to flight safety events, to understand variations in pilot event knowledge. Background Experienced, highly trained pilots sometimes fail to recognize events, resulting in procedures not being followed, damaging safety. Recognition is supported by typical, representative members of a concept. Variations in typicality (“gradients”) could explain variations in pilot knowledge, and hence recognition. The role of simulations and everyday flight operations in the acquisition of useful, flexible concepts is poorly understood. We illustrate uses of the theory in understanding the industry-wide problem of nontypical events. Method One hundred and eighteen airline pilots responded to scenario descriptions, rating them for typicality and indicating the source of their knowledge about each scenario. Results Significant variations in typicality in flight safety event concepts were found, along with key gradients that may influence pilot behavior. Some concepts were linked to knowledge gained in simulator encounters, while others were linked to real flight experience. Conclusion Explicit training of safety event concepts may be an important adjunct to what pilots may variably glean from simulator or operational flying experiences, and may result in more flexible recognition and improved response. Application Regulators, manufacturers, and training providers can apply these principles to develop new approaches to pilot training that better prepare pilots for event diversity.

Human factors engineering in aircraft maintenance: a review

2015 ◽  
Vol 21 (4) ◽  
pp. 478-505 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. Shanmugam ◽  
T. Paul Robert
Keyword(s):  
Human Factors ◽  
Human Factor ◽  
Aircraft Design ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Aviation Industry ◽  
Physical Aspect ◽  
Aircraft Maintenance ◽  
Human Factors Engineering ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Aviation Maintenance

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to present a literature review on human factors in aircraft maintenance and to analyze and synthesize the findings in the literature on human factors engineering in aircraft maintenance. Design/methodology/approach – The review adopts a threefold approach: searching and collecting the scientific literature; sorting them on the basis of relevance and applications; and review of the scientific evidences. Broad areas of aircraft maintenance regulations are identified and each area was explored to study the level of scientific growth and publications. Notable theories, models and concepts are being summarized. Findings – Application of human factor principles in aviation spread beyond the technical arena of man-machine interface. The discipline has created a great impact on aircraft design, operations and maintenance. Its applications have percolated into design of aircraft maintenance facilities, task cards and equipment. Human factor concepts are being used for maintenance resource management. The principles are applied to shape the safety behavior and culture in aviation maintenance workplace. Nevertheless, the review unfolds immense potential for future research. Research limitations/implications – Research outcomes of non-aviation studies are also reviewed and consolidated to extend the applications to the aviation industry. Practical implications – This review would be a consolidated source of information confining to the physical aspect of human factors engineering in aircraft maintenance. It is intended to serve as a quick reference guide to the researchers and maintenance practitioners. Social implications – It brought out the benefits of adopting the principles of human factor engineering in aircraft maintenance. Application of human factor philosophy ensures enhanced safety in air transport, personal safety and well-being of maintenance personnel. Originality/value – This is a unique review based on aircraft maintenance regulations that are baseline performance standards made mandatory by regulatory authorities. Therefore, the review has been considered to be made on aircraft maintenance regulatory requirements that surpass corporate or competitive strategies in aviation maintenance organization.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document