Sustaining a culture of compliance in aircraft maintenance: a post CI perspective

  • Published
  • By Maj. Christopher Cullen
  • 325th Comptroller Squadron commander
TYNDALL AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. --  As Checkertail maintainers, one of our group goals for Fiscal Year 2011 was to secure an overall 'Excellent' rating during the Headquarters Air Education and Training Command Compliance Inspection. Our strategy was premised on an underlying belief that a strong culture of compliance already existed across the group and that our ability to effectively "locate and liquidate" the target required us to simply reinvigorate the effectiveness of existing compliance assurance tools as opposed to a
reinvention of the proverbial wheel.

Not only did we achieve our goal, but we did it across all three squadrons and with only minimal and minor "write-ups." As we move forward and prepare for a return to F-22 Raptor flying operations, it's imperative that we remain focused on sustaining a strong culture of compliance across the group and on continuing to maximize the effectiveness of existing and proven compliance assurance tools.

Regulatory Compliance in Aircraft Maintenance: In his Human Factors in Aviation Maintenance, Professor Alan Hobbs discusses the maintenance practice and the all too important role that regulatory compliance plays in controlling and abating "risks" to airworthiness and safety. He explains, "Maintenance is essential to aviation safety, yet improper maintenance contributes to a significant proportion of aviation accidents and incidents every year. This is because a small percentage of maintenance tasks are performed incorrectly or are omitted due to human error. Examples include parts installed incorrectly, missing parts, and the omission of necessary checks."

In an unforgiving business like aircraft maintenance, where operational risk is both high and inherent, a strong culture of compliance is absolutely essential to the safe and efficient generation of mishap-free sorties over an extended period of time.

On the subject of compliance, AFI 21-101 asserts "it is the responsibility of all maintenance personnel to comply with all written guidance to ensure required repairs, inspections and documentation are completed in a safe, timely and effective manner. Supervisors are responsible for enforcing and establishing a climate that promotes maintenance discipline."

While a strong compliance culture begins with sound maintenance discipline and requires constant leadership buy in, action and involvement, it ends with a strong and responsive system of regulation that ensures, assures and validates ongoing compliance. A headquarters compliance inspection is simply a validation and represents only a small snap shot in time.

Beyond Inspection Prep: In his Transforming Inspection Preparation, Col. Carey Tucker, a career aircraft maintenance and munitions officer, laments on the mixed results associated with what he describes as the "sprint and coast" approach to inspection readiness. He explains, "As a young lieutenant, I remember massive eight-month prep plans that would be painfully tracked and reported. By the time the inspection arrived, we couldn't wait to get it over with, but we were also tired from all the special prep during such a long period. Unfortunately, as soon as the inspection was done, the prep stopped and the plans and activities were shelved until the next inspection."

Most of us have been a part of organizations like this and can relate to the dilemma. Our strategy as a group was to avoid this trap and to simply reinvigorate the effectiveness of existing compliance assurance tools specifically, our Maintenance Standardization and Evaluation Program, our Squadron Self Inspection Programs, our Group Activities Inspection and an external third party audit or Staff Assisted Visit. As we move forward, MSEP will continue to be robust and ongoing, self inspection will continue to be accomplished biannually, GAIs biennially and SAVs as required. Together these activities help to ensure regulatory compliance, sustained excellence and inspection readiness.

'Excellent' is a great word, especially when linked to a higher headquarters compliance inspection grade! It's great because it serves as a direct reflection of the hard work, dedication, focus and leadership that goes into securing such a result. It's great because it means the Inspector General won't be back to inspect for another two years. And it's great because it serves as a validation of our units compliance focus. However, as Colonel Tucker reminds us, "Inspection results are only valid for the period of time the inspectors are in your squadron. The day the inspectors leave, inspection results become history and have no bearing on your present mission readiness."

As Checkertail maintainers, our mission is to generate combat air power, safely and efficiently. And a strong culture of compliance serves as an important means to that end!