ABSTRACT
However, general aviation (GA), a significant portion of the aviation system, is often ignored by this research even though its reliability is crucial if we are to ensure the safety of the overall air transportation system, and the inspection or maintenance system, which is responsible for identifying and fixing defects, plays a key role. Research has found that adhering to inspection procedures and protocols is relatively easy; however, the monitoring and tracking of the efficacy of these procedures is not. To address this issue, this paper reports on the task analyses of aircraft inspection operations at geographically dispersed GA facilities operated under the Federal Aviation Regulation (FAR) Part 91, 135, and 145, outlining the activities pursued and the methodologies adopted. Recommendations forthcoming from this analysis will be used to devise a computer-based inspection training program focused on improving inspector performance.
