Human factors competence in aircraft maintenance

Abstract

The research summarised in this thesis sought to better understand the issue of human factors competence as it relates to the work, performed by technicians in the aircraft maintenance industry. An ethnographic study of normal maintenance operations was undertaken to explore maintenance activities in terms of human factors. The study outlined the characteristics of maintenance tasks and the findings highlighted some of the critical deficiencies of maintenance systems. Aircraft maintenance was found to be a highly unpredictable and variable activity, the performance of which is achieved through a complex, collaborative social process. Maintenance activities are not just about the actions of an individual; they are about the collaborative actions of individuals working together. As such, the performance outputs for individual and team maintenance tasks are collaborative and reflect the indirect input of those working in support functions (planning, parts supply, task design, etc.) as well as the direct input of the technical personnel.