Seeking Aircraft Maintenance Technicians (AMTs) to participate in confidential doctoral research interviews focused on real-world troubleshooting, inspection, repair, and operational decision-making. 

This doctoral research study explores how Aircraft Maintenance Technicians (AMTs) make decisions during troubleshooting, inspection, and repair activities in real-world operational aviation environments.

The study focuses on:

• aircraft maintenance decision-making

• troubleshooting processes

• maintenance human factors

• operational pressure and judgment

• technician experience and problem-solving

• aviation safety and maintenance performance

The study seeks perspectives from technicians working across a wide range of aviation operations, including:

• Part 121 airline operations

• Part 135 operations

• cargo operations

• air ambulance and medevac operations

• aerial firefighting operations

• turbine-powered corporate aviation

• Part 145 repair stations supporting operational aircraft

The goal is to better understand how maintainers interpret information, adapt to operational demands, and make maintenance decisions in complex aviation environments.

You may qualify if you:

• Are at least 18 years old

• Currently work as an Aircraft Maintenance Technician (AMT)

• Have at least one year of aircraft maintenance experience

• Support operational aviation environments such as:

  • Part 121 airline operations

  • Part 135 operations

  • cargo operations

  • air ambulance or medevac operations

  • aerial firefighting operations

  • turbine-powered corporate aviation operations

  • Part 145 repair stations supporting operational aircraft

• Are willing to discuss real-world maintenance troubleshooting, inspection, repair, and decision-making experiences

Participants will complete:

• One confidential interview

• Approximately 60 to 75 minutes

• Conducted virtually or by phone

• No preparation required

Interview topics may include:

• troubleshooting experiences

• inspections and repairs

• operational decision-making

• maintenance judgment

• aviation human factors

• maintenance problem-solving

• real-world maintenance scenarios

Participants will not be asked to disclose proprietary, classified, or company-sensitive information.

Participation in this study is completely voluntary.

• Participants may skip any question or stop participation at any time

• No supervisors or employers will be notified

• Interviews are confidential

• No identifying information will appear in published research

• All interview data will be de-identified before analysis

Some participants may experience mild discomfort when discussing past maintenance experiences; however, the study is considered minimal risk.

This study has been reviewed and approved by the Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University Institutional Review Board (IRB). 

The researcher is:

• an FAA-certificated A&P mechanic

• an FAA Aviation Safety Inspector

• member of the Professional Aviation Maintenance Association (PAMA) 

• a retired U.S. Air Force maintainer

• a PhD candidate in Aviation with a specialization in Human Factors at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University

With nearly 40 years of aircraft maintenance and aviation safety experience, his research focuses on aviation maintenance human factors and real-world maintenance decision-making.

Although employed by the FAA, this research is conducted solely in an academic capacity and is not affiliated with or conducted on behalf of the FAA.

If you are interested in participating or would like additional information about the study, please contact:

Steve J. Poiani

Doctoral Candidate — Aviation Human Factors
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University

poianadf@my.erau.edu