Computer-Based Team Training: The Aircraft Maintenance Environment Example

Abstract

Research on civil aircraft inspection and maintenance has shown the importance of teamwork in accomplishing aircraft maintenance tasks. Training has been identified as one of the primary intervention strategies in improving team performance. Moreover, if training is to be successful, it is clear that we need to provide aircraft maintenance technicians with training tools to help enhance their team skills and improve team performance within the aircraft maintenance environment. In response to this need, this research looked at the role of team training and specifically that of advanced technology for team training. A controlled study was conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of advanced technology for team training. The study was conducted in two phases: 1) Instructional phase where 18 subjects received training through a computer-based team training program and 18 subjects received training using a traditional instructor-based equivalent team training program, and 2) Evaluation phase where the subjects were divided into three member teams and performance of the teams was evaluated as they completed a routine and a non-routine maintenance task. The results of the study are reported as part of this paper.