ABSTRACT
This chapter describes elements of professionalism in the aviation maintenance environment. It explains the role of professional behavior in influencing the safety culture within a maintenance organization. The chapter discusses the paradox presented by the Speed-Accuracy-Tradeoff. It explores the reasons for low trust levels between mechanics and their supervisors; propose ways to improve such trust. Many airlines are trying to improve their safety culture by emphasizing communication and professionalism, together with awareness of decision-making, employee participation, and effective safety systems. The professional Aircraft Maintenance Technicians (AMT) has been defined as embodying the joint characteristics of competence, centrality, control, and commitment regarding safety of flight. The pattern and level of attitudes pre-training and post-training are remarkably similar between the AMTs and Maintenance Management. AMTs who participated in this program were motivated by the training, but they never saw the quantitative results and statistics resulting from their efforts.
