Effect of team training on aircraft maintenance technicians: computer-based training versus instructor-based training

The backbone of a safe and reliable air transportation system is the aircraft maintenance technician. These individuals work in a complex environment requiring above average teamwork skills as they coordinate, communicate and cooperate with other technicians and inspectors as well as with other departments within their organization. New technologies, such as multimedia computers, may be able to provide the necessary training to enhance their teamwork skills and improve their performance. To determine the effectiveness and applicability of computer-based multimedia team training for aircraft maintenance technicians, a controlled study was conducted to examine the transfer effects of computer-based team training (CBT) on team performance in the aircraft maintenance environment. To facilitate the research, a computer-based multimedia tool – the aircraft maintenance team training (AMTT) software – was developed. Results of this study indicate that computer-based team training was as effective as traditional instructor based team training. Though the advantages of teamwork in the airline industry are widely recognized, it is not readily supported by work cultures. Providing teamwork skills will improve both performance and safety. Moreover, the importance of team training has also been emphasized in the national plan for aviation in human factors.