Training: Does one size fit all?

Recommended core training

Initial training
It is recommended that the following subject areas serve as the core for the initial training of repair station personnel. Other training can be added based on the individual repair station's capabilities. Research has shown that these subjects should be a basic part of any repair station's training program, regardless of its size or capabilities:

• Code of Federal Regulations (CFRs) and other regulatory requirements
• Company indoctrination on manuals, policies, procedures, and practices
• Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), right-to-know training, Research and Special Programs Administration (RSPA) and any other governmental agency training.
• Hazardous materials training
• Basic shop safety training
• Maintenance resource management (MRM) or human factors
• Any methods, techniques, practices, equipment, or tools needed to perform work should also be a part of that technical training

In addition, as applicable, policies, procedures, and record keeping requirements of certificated-holding customers need to be reviewed (121, 129, 135, and 145).

I would add other considerations such as the Transportation Safety Administration, Canadian Aviation Regulations, Joint Aviation Authority for JAA accepted repair stations, (new European Aviation Authority Safety Agency [EASA]), International Civil Aviation Organizational (ICAO), and any other national civil aviation authority, federal, state, or local regulatory jurisdiction. An example would be local zoning and fire regulations enforced by fire marshals.

Regardless of the level of experience incoming personnel may have, there should be a basic indoctrination on procedures that are unique to the particular repair station. It is recommended that the initial training for all job functions be similar in order to establish a common core of knowledge among company employees.

The number of hours of initial training can vary depending on the level of experience of incoming employees. A basic minimum developed by repair station management should be specified for the initial repair station training. However, there can be additional training time and content for the initial training of inspectors, managers, and supervisors, especially on the CFRs, company policies, and procedures.

Recurrent training

These individuals recognize the value of refreshing and enhancing their level of expertise in areas such as:

• Regulatory changes
• Inspection procedures
• New techniques
• Sharing of maintenance problems
• Knowledge of forms, procedures, and records
• New air carrier customer recordkeeping and procedure requirements
• Required Inspection Item (RII)

Recurrent training for all repair station job functions should include a review of all soft-skill, initial training subject matter, with an emphasis on revisions and changes made in the previous year to federal and state regulations and to repair station policies and procedures. Changes in subject content vary with each job function.

Repairmen and mechanic practical skills development should also form a major part of the overall recurrent training curriculum. Repair stations have the option of developing their own training curriculum using AC 65-2 or accepting training delivered by approved vendors, manufacturers, air carriers, and 14 CFR Part 147 schools. However, each repair station would still be responsible for developing its own curriculum, which would match their capabilities, work scope, and employee job descriptions.