A competency model proposal for aircraft maintenance technicians

One of the key factors in maintaining aviation operations safely and effectively is properly performing maintenance activities. In order to carry out maintenance activities more effectively, to prevent errors that occur during maintenance activities and to reduce the costs arising from maintenance activities, maintenance technicians who are well- trained in the field, who have the necessary competencies regarding maintenance tasks, who have a safety culture and sense of responsibility should be trained, employed and authorized. In this study, a competency model was created for maintenance technicians by determining the competencies of aircraft maintenance technicians, who are at the center of aircraft maintenance activities, and their measurement tools. Individual interviews and focus group interviews were conducted with 83 people consisting of aircraft maintenance technicians, maintenance managers, human resources unit, quality unit, maintenance planning unit and engineering unit employees, aircraft maintenance instructors, and students receiving maintenance training as to industry stakeholders. As a result of the study, the competency titles of the maintenance technicians; technical competencies, foreign language competencies, human factors competencies, safety- oriented competencies, responsibility competencies, career-oriented competencies and, flexibility competencies. These competency titles were evaluated for all career stages of maintenance technicians, and competency measurement and evaluation methods were determined for each career stage. In the study, data and suggestions about which units or individuals should be the evaluators who will take part in the evaluation of competencies were shared.