TECHNOLOGY TO IMPROVE AVIATION SAFETY: RECENT EFFORTS AT CLEMSON UNIVERSITY

Aircraft maintenance and inspection is a complex system consisting of several interrelated human-machine components wherein human plays a key role in ensuring the worthiness of the aircrafts. Considering this fact, it is important to focus on the human in the system. It is critical to deploy strategies that will reduce human error and improve human performance. One area in need of improvement is inspection. It has been proven that there are vast differences in inspection performance between experienced and novice inspectors. One proven technique for improving inspection performance is training. In response to this need, the paper outlines recent effort at Clemson University on the use of advanced technology ranging from computer based simulations to virtual reality technology to upgrade the inspection skills, reduce human error and eventually improve aviation safety.

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