Human Factors Maintenance- Operations
The Operator’s Manual for Human Factors in Maintenance and Ground Operations 2
PRELUDE
In 2005 the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) worked with industry representatives to
complete the Operator’s Manual for Human Factors in Aviation Maintenance (Op’s Manual). That
manual earned broad U.S. and international acceptance. A Spanish and Chinese translation
influenced its international distribution and value. The Op’s Manual won the FAA Administrator’s
Award for Use of Plain Language. Document design, simplicity, and concise delivery of technical
information were the key features that made the Op’s Manual useful for maintenance and
engineering personnel. In 2008, the FAA and industry published an encore manual dedicated to
airport operations.
This new 2 nd
Edition of The Operator’s Manual for Human Factors in Aviation Maintenance
follows the same successful format as the 1 st Edition. Selected chapters of the 1
st Edition are
substituted with chapters more relevant to today’s aviation maintenance challenges. Repeated
chapters are significantly enhanced. As with the 1 st Edition, contributors remained disciplined to
keep the information concise and limited to only relevant information.
The Operator’s Manual for Human Factors in Maintenance and Ground Operations 3
ACRONYMS
A4A Airlines for America (formerly Air Transport Association of America; Air Transport Association (ATA))
AC Advisory Circular
AMT Aviation Maintenance Technician
ASAP Aviation Safety Action Program
ASRs Aviation Safety Reports
ASRS Aviation Safety Reporting System
ATA Air Transport Association
CAMI Civil Aerospace Medical Institute
CASA Civil Aviation Safety Authority
CAST Commercial Aviation Safety Team
CFR Code of Federal Regulations
CRM Crew Resource Management
DAH Design Approval Holders
EASA European Aviation Safety Agency
FAA Federal Aviation Administration
HF Human Factors
HFACS-ME Human Factors Analysis and Classification System – Maintenance Extension
FRM Fatigue Risk Management
FRMP Fatigue Risk Management Plan
FRMS Fatigue Risk Management System
IATA International Air Transport Association
ICA Instruction for Continued Airworthiness
ICAO International Civil Aviation Organization
LMEC Latent Medical or Environment Conditions
LOI Letter of Investigation
LOSA FAA Maintenance and Ramp Line Operations Safety Assessment
MEDA Maintenance Error Decision Aid
MRO Maintenance Repair and Overhaul
MxO Maintenance Engineering Organization
NASA National Aeronautics and Space Administration
NTSB National Transportation Safety Board
OEM Original Equipment Manufacturer
OSH Act Occupational Safety and Health Act
The Operator’s Manual for Human Factors in Maintenance and Ground Operations 4
OSHA Occupational Safety and Health Administration
REDA Ramp Error Decision Aid
ROI Return on Investment
SMS Safety Management System
UK CAA United Kingdom Civil Aviation Authority
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