Tahlia Fisher

Citation

Thesis Title
Cleared to Disconnect? A Study of the Interaction between Airline Pilots and Line Maintenance Engineers

Read article at Massey Research Online:

Accurate information regarding the maintenance status of an aircraft is essential for safe and efficient airline operations yet anecdotal evidence suggests that airline pilots and line maintenance engineers do not always communicate effectively with each other. Ms Fisher investigated the interactions between airline pilots and line maintenance personnel and found that communication difficulties are primarily the result of an interrelating set of organisational, physical and psychosocial barriers between these two groups. Her research highlighted issues with aircraft handover procedures, including misunderstandings arising from fault descriptions and use of the Minimum Equipment List. Communication issues tend to be exacerbated by on-time performance pressures and can be associated with schedule disruptions as well as having negative implications for flight safety. Ms Fisher's findings add to the current body of aviation Crew Resource Management literature which has traditionally focused on communication issues on the flight deck and between flight crew and cabin crew.

Supervisors
Dr Ross St. George
Dr Ritchie De Montalk
Dr Richard Batt