Dr. Bill was pleasantly surprised to meet a former participant from an IA renewal seminar. They talked about recollections from the seminar, the value of IA seminars, and how a seminar should be structured for best success. Johnson writes about the things people remember about their IA seminars. It’s funny what we recall.
During August 2015, I was “hanging out” at the local airport in Andrews, NC, (Western Carolina Regional Airport). Actually, I was getting some overdue refresher training and a biannual flight review. My currency had a multi-year, multi-decade lapse. Thus, I felt a bit like a new student, especially around the GPS avionics. Yes, I did get the renewal and have resumed my monthly tithing to general aviation.
As you might expect, it did not take long to start talking about maintenance. Conversations were classic GA. We talked about reciprocating engines, spectrographic oil analysis, density altitude, and annual inspections. We did not use words or phrases like hot section, blade clearance, or vibration monitoring. We were not very far into the conversation with Mark Edmonds, assistant airport manager, commented that he had “seen me somewhere before.” As soon as I mentioned IA seminars and my FAA affiliation (my cover was blown) he recalled an IA seminar held at Richard Childress Racing (RCR) facility in Lexington, NC. He was working for Compass Aviation, Shelby, NC, at that time in 2012-13. We both recalled the event.
Mark Edmonds and I proceeded with a few stories and laughs. I asked him what he recalled about the class. Most of the discussion was serious.
Recollection 1: The Cars
We both recalled the presence of some tricked-out RCR NASCAR wining cars. The NASCAR precision, expertise, and attention to safety mirrored the attitude, skill, and behavior of the AMT/IAs in the room. Many of the IAs were responsible for the safe air transportation of crews, drivers, and families to racing events across the country. NASCAR team owners respected their maintenance team, at the track and at the hangar.
Recollection 2: The Human Factors Woman
At the time of that IA renewal I was relying on the newly produced series of human factors videos. There are 11 short human factors topical videos, still available on the FAA website www.humanfactorsinfo.gov. They are part of the Maintenance Human Factors Training System. The videos are discussions between Bill Johnson and Dagmar Midcap. Midcap, then with an Atlanta television station and now with NBC in San Diego, was very memorable in her portrayal of a human factors expert. He recalled that the short snippets were educational and interesting. They were short enough to avoid boredom. The videos are easy to watch.
Recollection 3: Fatigue
Edmonds remembered the materials about fatigue. He remembered the fatigue video, Grounded, which is also on the FAA website and YouTube, of course. He recalled that Grounded was “not like most FAA training films.” He was correct about that since most training productions do not win 18 international industrial video awards.
For those who have not yet seen “Grounded,” it is a fictional film about an airline maintenance manager plagued by issues at home and at work. Most of his issues were a result of fatigue. As the packaging says, “This video is about sleep but it is not a sleeper.”
Recollection 4: Failure to Use Technical Documentation
Mark Edmonds had some recollection that I talked about the topic of technical documentation. He acknowledged that it is an important and relevant topic but did not recall that I delivered the “magic bullet” solution to the challenge. I do not recall that I offered a sure solution to this known industry hazard. I am uncertain of the best solution. However, that topic is a challenge that we continue to work on at FAA and throughout industry. (See Aircraft Maintenance Technology, August, September, October 2014).
Recollection 5: The PEAR Test
I recalled the PEAR. Since it was at least four years from the IA seminar, I did not apply the Johnson PEAR Test (See AMT Magazine, February 2015). Many readers and Johnson presentation attendees recall my theme that human factors can be categorized into four topics including: 1) the People (P) that do the work , 2) the Environment (E) in which they work, 3) the Actions (A) that they perform, and 4) the Resources (R) necessary to complete the job. I will assume that Mark Edmonds remembers PEAR. After all, I have the pleasure and safety comfort of flying a Cessna of which he participates in its airworthiness. Thank you, sir.
Recollection 6: FAASafety.gov
Mark Edmonds made Bill Johnson’s day when he told me that the human factors presentation made him go to www.faasafety.gov and take human factors training from the Maintenance Hangar. He also found other courses of value and has since taken those as well. When IA renewal seminars motivate IAs to look at additional safety materials then it is a “mission accomplished” moment.
Recollection 7: What Makes a Good IA Seminar?
We talked about why the Lexington, NC, seminar was a success. I believe that it has a lot to do with the experience and motivation of the organizers. The RCR IA seminar was organized by FAA Inspector Tim Quain, from the Greensboro, NC, Flight Standards District Office. His past life as maintenance director for NASCAR helped secure an excellent facility. Following in the tradition of his FAA colleague, Inspector Phil Randall, he knew that an IA seminar needed a great program and a great networking environment. With the utmost respect, he assembled the North Carolina and South Carolina “Good ol’ boys (and girls) of aviation maintenance.” That kind of gathering redefines aviation safety networking. It is equivalent to the Aviation Safety Action Program InfoShare, frequented by the 121 crowd.
The most important result of a great IA renewal seminar is hard to measure. It is intangible. Of course, there is new information presented and familiar information refreshed. Great seminars give IAs information to pass along to others at work. Great seminars recharge the spirit, remind IAs of the importance of their authority, and reinforce the safe attitude critical to their job.
Mark Edmonds commented that “A high value IA renewal seminar is about the quality of the speakers.” “The audience is not too good about sitting in a chair all day”, he said. It is important to have a variety of topics that mix technical issues, business issues, and even topics like human factors. Edmonds liked the broad mix of speakers covering reciprocating engines including diesels, light jets, tires, rotary wing, and more. Edmonds felt that on-time starts and ends were important. Breaks and a nice lunch are critical to keep the male-dominated participants happy. We both remembered the excellent Nprth Carolina barbecue and sweet tea.
Recollection 8: From the Teacher
Anyone who has participated in an IA Renewal class learns something. They may learn from the presenters or from one another, at the coffee breaks. As a presenter I have always learned a lot. The Q&A sessions give me an applied perspective on the human factors topics. IAs are the most experienced of the entire Aviation Maintenance Technician Workforce. The quality of their public and private comments reinforces my awareness of the collective wisdom of a room full of at every IA Holders.
In 2016 I plan to participate in some of the AMTSociety and Aircraft Maintenance Technology IA renewals. The organizer is Ron Donner, AMT editor. His Atlanta meeting, Jan. 8, 2016, is always a good one. As described above, Donner puts together excellent IA seminars. He finds a great convenient venue, lines up excellent speakers, has great vendor displays and door prizes, and good food. Other dates and locations: Denver on Jan. 22, 2016 and Kansas City on Feb. 10, 2016.
