The Use of a High Fidelity Simulator to Improve Aircraft Inspection Performance: The ASSIST Program

The aircraft maintenance industry is a complex system consisting of several interrelated human and machine components. The linchpin of this system, however, is the human. Recognizing this, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has pursued human factors related research. In the maintenance arena the research has focused on the aircraft inspection process and the aircraft inspector. Training has been identified as the primary intervention strategy to improve the quality and reliability of aircraft inspection. In response to this need, the paper outlines the development of a high fidelity inspection training simulator (ASSIST: Automated System of Self Instruction for Specialized Training) focused on improving aircraft inspection performance and ultimately aviation safety. The research was funded by the Federal Aviation Administration and conducted by the Advanced Training Systems Laboratory of the Department of Industrial Engineering, Clemson University and was conducted in cooperation with Delta Airlines and Lockheed Martin Aircraft Center.