FAA Office of Aerospace Medicine
Civil Aerospace Medical Institute
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AVIATION MEDICINE REPORTS

Report No: DOT/FAA/AM-96/2

Title and Subtitle: Human factors in aviation maintenance: Phase V progress report, ADA304262

Report Date: January 1996

Authors: Shepherd WT, and Galaxy Scientific Corp.

Abstract: The fifth phase of research on human factors in aviation maintenance continued to look at the human's role in the aviation maintenance system via investigations, demonstrations, and evaluations of the research program outputs. This report describes the following areas: (Ch. 2) PENS mobile computing software for FAA inspectors; (Ch. 3) STAR computer-based training for aviation regulations; (Ch. 4) HIS digital documentation systems, a hypertext multimedia software system; (Ch. 5) software/hardware distribution on the Internet; (Ch. 6) human factors program reviewing human performance issues associated with inspection; (Ch. 7) human factors audit program providing a valid tool for evaluating human factors in maintenance tasks; (Ch. 8) a study of how the design of workcards affects their use and the subsequent potential for error; (Ch. 9) the process of visual inspection and evaluation measuring visual inspection performance; (Ch. 10) a battery of mechanical aptitude tests, a simulated NDI task, and the ability of the tests to predict performance; (Ch. 11) the results of a report on an evaluation of a teamwork training program in a FAR 147 school; and (Ch. 12) ARAC rule changes and impending rule changes.

Key Words: Human factors, Aviation maintenance, Computer-based job aids, Computer-based instruction, Digital documentation, Human factors guide, Ergonomics audit, Checklist, Team training, On-line electronic information, Visual inspection, NDI performance, Training and certification

No. of Pages: 284