Aviation Human Factors looks at Social Psychology Management, Supervision and Leadership

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Maintenance Management Focus

Supervisors and Managers have an important role to ensuring that safety and safe working practices is a top down leadership “led” objective which is instilled in mechanics and certifying staff and visible throughout the business.

Considering Supervisors

The supervisor’s role is somewhat different to the manager role as the supervisor position requires a more “hands on” approach, to the potential for errors to be made by technicians and certifying staff.

Additionally, the supervisor should have a good appreciation of individual's strengths and weaknesses, together with an appreciation of the norms and culture of the group. It typically sits on the shoulders of the supervisor's job to work to prevent unsafe behaviours or norms from developing within the workplace, and to ensure that good safety practices are maintained. 

Supervision may be a formal role or an informal arrangement where the Licensed Aircraft Engineer (LAE) performs the supervision of less experienced staff. 

Note – In general the more informal a system the more likely we are exposed to the potential for Human Factor Error.

Considering the Management Role

There cannot be more than one leader in a team and the manager is the link between higher levels of management within the organization and the supervisors and team members who work on the aircraft. 

The manager is responsible for coordinating the activities of the team on a daily basis, which includes the management of personnel, the oversight of competence & training and the allocation of tasks and delegation of duties. 

Management, supervision, and leadership play a significant part in the attainment of safety and high-quality human performance in aircraft maintenance. 

Characteristics of a Good Team Leader

A good leader will share with all team members the goal, and process/methods to achieve the objectives.

Safe and efficient maintenance is underpinned by the successful performance of the maintenance team. The team leader plays a significant role and without doubt a poor leader will negatively affect team performance.

The team leader needs to work under the direction of the manager to manage the workload, keep the team motivated, provide appropriate direction when required, and coordinate activities aimed at achieving the team goal.

Teamworking can be considered successful when the output of the team is greater than that which could be achieved by the sum of the efforts of the individual team members acting in isolation.

SAS & SOL offer training in Human Factors, Safety Management Systems Implementation & Management, Maintenance Error Management and Training for Trainers in a Human Factors and Maintenance Environment. For details please see www.sassofia.com & www.sofemaonline.com or email office@sassofia.com & online@sassofia.com