Survey Reveals Gaps in Inspector Training
September 01, 2005
A new Government Accountability Office (GAO) report (GAO 05-728) examines FAA efforts to ensure that its inspectors receive adequate technical training needed to do their jobs. It includes a GAO analysis of the inspector training program, and the results of a survey of FAA inspectors. The GAO generally approved of the FAA’s achievements but stressed the need for better evaluation of the effects of training on inspector performance. The results of the survey, however, painted a very different picture.
The FAA inspectors surveyed generally felt they did not receive adequate technical training. The FAA’s own data shows that less than half of FAA inspectors have completed at least 75% of essential technical courses. Only slightly more than half of the inspectors surveyed said that they thought they had enough technical knowledge to do the job. Almost 60% said their training was delivered in a timely manner “to some or no extent.”
GAO consulted ARSA Executive Director Sarah MacLeod and VP-Operations Paul Hawthorne in preparing the report, which is entitled Aviation Safety: FAA Management Practices for Technical Training Mostly Effective; Further Actions Could Enhance Results.
More from ARSA
Weston Award Recognizes Crowley’s Commitment to Learning
On March 20, ARSA recognized Jerry Crowley with its Leo Weston Award for Excellence in Government Service. Crowley is a long time FAA aviation safety inspector who was a professional…Read MoreIndustry Requests More Time to Comment on FAA Order 8130.21J
March 28, 2025 | Categories:
ARSA News & Updates, Design & Production, EASA, FAA, Maintenance, Press Releases, Regulatory
Update: On April 17, the FAA notified the industry signatories that it had extended the comment deadline to June 6, 2025.
On March 28, ARSA joined 11 ally trade associations…Read More
Small Biz Recruitment by Repair Stations
The National Skills Coalition and its partner organization Business Leaders United invite the repair station community to support a study of small and mid-sized business recruiting practices. The study seeks…Read MoreMaintenance Industry Surpasses Pre-Pandemic Peaks, Enters “Supercycle”
March 25, 2025 | Categories:
Advocacy, ARSA News & Updates, ARSA Works, Aviation Policy, FAA, Legislative, Press Releases, Regulatory
On March 19, ARSA used its Annual Legislative Day gathering to release its 2025 Global Fleet & MRO Market Report. The analysis provided for the association by Oliver Wyman Vector,…Read More
