Aviation Commons^™

The Evolution Of Mro Outsourcing: Global Trends, Regulatory Challenges, And Strategic Considerations In Aviation Maintenance, David C. Ison

Journal of Aviation Technology and Engineering

The maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) industry plays a critical role in ensuring the safety, efficiency, and sustainability of the global aviation sector. As airlines seek to reduce costs, optimize operations, and access specialized expertise, MRO outsourcing has become an increasingly prevalent strategy. This essay examines the key drivers of MRO outsourcing, including cost reduction, access to advanced technologies, and the focus on core competencies. The essay also explores emerging trends such as the rise of new MRO hubs in Asia and the Middle East, the integration of predictive maintenance and artificial intelligence, and the growing emphasis on environmental sustainability. …

Integrating Human Factors, Technology, And Mental Health: A Mixed-Methods Framework For Aviation Maintenance Safety In The Philippines, Arthur Dela Peña

Journal of Aviation Technology and Engineering

A complex interaction of human factors, mental health, organizational dynamics, and emerging technologies influences aviation maintenance safety in the Philippines. This study aims to develop an integrated framework to address these aspects and reduce maintenance-related errors. Using a mixed-methods approach based on Creswell’s pragmatic paradigm, the research surveyed 200 participants, including aviation maintenance technicians (AMTs), supervisors, and managers, and conducted in-depth interviews and focus groups. Quantitative analysis revealed that fatigue was a significant contributor to maintenance errors, accounting for 45% of recorded incidents and exhibiting a strong correlation with error rates (r = 0.71, p = 0.005). Incorporating human factors …

Evaluating Perceived Ease Of Use Of Augmented Reality In Aviation Maintenance: A Technology Acceptance Model Approach, Russell Quenten Gardner Jr.

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This quantitative study examines the perceived ease of use (PEU) of augmented reality (AR) technology among two key groups: aviation maintenance students, representing workforce readiness, and professional aircraft maintenance technicians, representing field expertise. This approach offers a comprehensive understanding of AR’s role in maintenance training by accounting for varying levels of participant experience. Addressing the need for innovative methods to improve task accuracy, efficiency, and knowledge retention, this study emphasizes user acceptance as a critical factor for AR adoption. Guided by the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM), this research investigates how technician experience influences perceptions of AR’s usability and whether PEU …

Aircraft Water And Waste Systems Curriculum Alignment For Updated Airmen Certificate Standards (Acs), Myles Miller

All Graduate Reports and Creative Projects, Fall 2023 to Present

The purpose of this project was to create a curriculum that aligns with the updated Airmen Certificate Standards (ACS) related to aircraft water and waste systems. The curriculum was designed to align with the FAA standards outlined in the ACS section II. Airframe Subject O. Water and Waste Systems. The curriculum includes components, operation, inspection, and servicing requirements for potable water and lavatory waste systems. The curriculum should equip students with the ability to identify, assess, and mitigate risks associated with lavatory waste systems, and the ability to locate and explain the procedures for servicing water and waste systems. The …

Occupational Safety Culture In Modern Aviation Maintenance, Sang-A Lee

Journal of Aviation Technology and Engineering

Aviation maintenance is paramount to the safety and efficiency of global air travel. Disturbingly, 2022 data revealed an unprecedented surge in severe injuries among aircraft maintenance technicians in the United States, prompting renewed scrutiny of the aviation maintenance occupational safety culture. In light of these developments, a systematic literature review was conducted to discern the influential factors shaping this safety culture, especially considering the industry’s rapid technological advancements. The review process involved meticulous key word searches, stringent article selection criteria, and qualitative data analysis software to interpret findings. From the synthesis of 35 peerreviewed articles, nine pivotal constructs emerged: (1) …

Exploring A New Conceptual Framework In Aviation Maintenance Incident Reporting Using Natural Language Processing, Christopher P. Braun

Doctoral Dissertations and Master's Theses

In the analysis of human error incidents, human factors specialists predominantly follow two schools of thought in categorization strategies. One is to categorize the operator’s actions by the physical properties of the activity (phenotypes); the other focuses on the cognitive behaviors preceding the incident (genotypes). These categorization strategies are intended to foster an understanding of the events, identify risks, and assist in the implementation of risk reduction interventions. Commercial aviation maintenance presents unique challenges to human factor practitioners in terms of task requirements, working environments, communication modalities, and safety standards. Complex tasks are handed from one shift of personnel to …

A Literary Survey On The Challenges Of Adopting Lean In Aerospace Production And Aviation Maintenance, Seanan C. Lee

Journal of Aviation Technology and Engineering

Lean production began as a new method for creating value through the elimination of waste, continuous process improvement by workers, and fostering respect for people. Despite its success in other industries, the significantly lower production volume, the substantially higher complexity, and the service-oriented nature of aviation maintenance demand significant adaptation of Lean principles to be effective. The lack of a holistic study on Lean adoption for aerospace production and aviation maintenance organizations hinders transformation as the two industries are intertwined in product and characteristics. Lean adoption in aerospace production is hindered by the lingering notion that it is an ‘‘automotive …

Developing Systems Engineering And Machine Learning Frameworks For The Improvement Of Aviation Maintenance, Fatine Elakramine

Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation develops systems engineering and machine learning models for aviation maintenance support. With the constant increase in demand for air travel, aviation organizations compete to maintain airworthy aircraft to ensure the safety of passengers. Given the importance of aircraft safety, the aviation sector constantly needs technologies to enhance the maintenance experience, ensure system safety, and limit aircraft downtime. Based on the current literature, the aviation maintenance sector still relies on outdated technologies to maintain aircraft maintenance documentation, including paper-based technical orders. Aviation maintenance documentation contains a mixture of structured and unstructured technical text, mainly inputted by operators, making them …

Change Fatigue In Aviation Maintenance Through A Human Factors Lens, Stephanie Douglas, Bettina Mrusek

National Training Aircraft Symposium (NTAS)

Aviation is a demanding and fast-paced industry and it is not uncommon for aviation professionals, including maintainers, to experience rapid disruption and organizational change. Fatigue in aviation professionals is a known risk. Fatigue risk management systems (FRMS) seek to mitigate this risk by focusing on tiredness resulting from long work hours and lack of quality sleep. Recently, change fatigue has also risen to the forefront of business and employee studies. In many of today’s industries, change is constant as firms implement changes either to address disruptions, business growth or to follow trends in the industry. Frequent changes in an organization …

From Classroom To Industry: Human Factors In Aviation Maintenance Decision-Making, Bettina Mrusek, Stephanie Douglas

Publications

The presence of human factors in aviation remains a critical area of research given the safety implications of human error. Understanding what specific factors contribute to human error allows managers and operators to take steps to mitigate these hazards. Several methods have been tested in the cockpit and cabin crew environments, but less attention has been given to the aviation maintenance sector, despite the prevalence of accidents resulting from human error. With the introduction of AC-172A, the FAA validated the need for additional research and training on the role of human factors in aviation maintenance errors. However, a key component …

Certificated Amts: What Will Encourage More Women To Become Aviation Maintenance Technicians?, Gail Y. Rouscher Ph.D.

National Training Aircraft Symposium (NTAS)

This paper examines practices that are used in STEM fields to attract women in order to understand how those tactics may to entice women to join the ranks of certified AMTs. According to the FAA, the estimated active mechanic certificates held as of December 31, 2018 was 292,002. Of those 292,002 it is estimated that 7,133 or 2.4% were held by women. In 2009, there were 329,027 active mechanics certificates held and 6,980 or 2.1% were held by women. There was steady growth of certificated women mechanics from 2009 through 2015 – growing from 2.1% to 2.5% respectively. In 2016, …

Mro Cybersecurity Swot, Danita Baghdasarin

International Journal of Aviation, Aeronautics, and Aerospace

This article intended to identify gaps in the safety management system (SMS) framework when it comes to dealing with cyber risks and hazards in the maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) industry. Cybersecurity is currently a concern of the aviation industry, but organizations in the MRO industry do not seem to be aware of any specific risks and hazards and therefore are not prepared to handle them. Concerns are largely around the increasing reach of aviation and the digital transformation of infrastructure, but the body of knowledge does not go into any greater detail. As a result, it is hard to …

Enhancing Aviation Maintenance Training Using Scenario-Based Education, Raymond Thompson

National Training Aircraft Symposium (NTAS)

Aviation maintenance technician training programs primarily utilize general aviation equipment. Most graduates in the current demand-driven environment are taking positions with air carriers and MRO’s. Industry reports that new technicians required between 2 – 5 years of further training and experience to be considered able to work independently on the shop floor which exacerbates the technician shortage.

Scenario-based education provides graduates with an experience that provides a greater understanding of how large aircraft maintenance is developed and delivered in comparison to small general aviation aircraft. This will allow new hires to become capable of independent work in a shorter time …

Enhanced, Risk-Based Faa Oversight On Part 145 Maintenance Practices: A Qualitative Study, Bryan G. Sheehan, Timm J. Bliss, Chad L. Depperschmidt

Journal of Aviation Technology and Engineering

The purpose of this qualitative study was to examine the phenomenon of enhanced, risk-based Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) oversight of Part 145 repair stations in Oklahoma that performed aircraft maintenance for Part 121 air carriers. Specifically, this research was utilized to explore the lived (personal) experiences of Part 145 repair station managers concerning operational changes in air carrier maintenance practices. The researchers’ intent was not to examine the effectiveness of changes implemented by the FAA; instead, to explore how management has experienced the enhanced changes in their Oklahoma-based Part 145 repair stations. Forty-two percent of the participants indicated a weak …

Controlling Lead Exposure During The Process Of Cleaning Aviation Spark Plugs, Curtis E. Beers

Doctoral Dissertations and Master's Theses

This study examines the process of removing lead bromide from aircraft spark plugs and the health hazards associated with the present method of cleaning the lead bromide accumulation from aviation spark plugs. Aviation maintenance technicians can be inadvertently exposed to lead while cleaning the lead bromide accumulation from the spark plug electrode during scheduled engine maintenance.

This study explores controlling the lead bromide particulate matter after it is removed from the spark plug electrode. Various control methods and/or procedural changes that may be employed to control the spread of lead bromide dust throughout the shop environment and the prevention of …

Survey Of Aviation Maintenance Technical Manuals, Phase 3 Report: Final Report And Recommendations, Alex Chaparro, Loren S. Groff

Publications

This report contains the results from the final phase of a three-phase research effort. Phase 1 of this research effort surveyed the procedures used by five aircraft manufacturers to develop maintenance documentation. Several potential human factors issues were identified in the processes used by these manufacturers to develop their maintenance manuals. The issues included the reactive rather than proactive use of user evaluations, the limited use of user input and procedure validation, no systematic attempts to track errors, and the lack of standards for measuring document quality. In Phase 2, a written survey was used to solicit information about user …

Survey Of Aviation Technical Manuals, Phase 2 Report: User Evaluation Of Maintenance Documents, Alex Chaparro, Loren S. Groff, Barbara S. Chaparro, Deborah Scarlett

Publications

This report contains the results from Phase 2 of a 3-phase research effort. Phase 1 (Human Factors Survey of Aviation Technical Manuals Phase 1 Report: Manual Development Procedures) of this research effort surveyed the procedures used by five manufacturers to develop maintenance documentation. Several potential human factors issues were identified in the development processes employed by these manufacturers. They included the reactive rather than proactive use of user evaluations, the limited use of user input and procedure validation, no systematic attempts to track error, and the lack of standards for measuring document quality. In Phase 2, a written survey was …

Human Factors Survey Of Aviation Maintenance Technical Manuals, Alex Chaparro, Loren S. Groff

Publications

The reported work is part of a 3 phased effort to identify human factors issues in the development of aviation technical manuals, and make recommendations for the improvement of those documents. Phase 1 of this research effort surveyed the procedures used by five manufacturers to develop maintenance documentation. Several human factors issues were identified in the development process employed by these manufacturers. They included the reactive rather than proactive use of user evaluations, the limited use of user input and procedure validation, no systematic attempts to track error, and the lack of standards for measuring document quality. Given the issues …

Human Factors Survey Of Aviation Technical Manuals, Phase 1: Manual Development Procedures, Alex Chaparro, Loren S. Groff

Publications

This report contains the results from Phase 1 of a three-phase research effort. Phase 1 examines aviation industry procedures for developing maintenance technical data. Phase 2 will document user problems with maintenance technical data. Phase 3 will identify maintenance technical data development improvements by applying human factors principles. Five aircraft manufacturers were surveyed regarding company policy, communication, data tracking, user feedback, and error reduction efforts. The five industry participants represent both regional and large commercial transport manufacturers. Phase 1 survey results revealed three significant maintenance technical data issues: inconsistent development process guidelines, reactive rather than proactive response to user feedback, …