AFI21-101_AMCSUP_JBMDLSUP 29 MARCH 2021
Chapter 16 (Added-AMC)
MAINTENANCE HUMAN FACTORS
16.1. (AMC) Maintenance Human Factors. The goal of human factors is to identify and
optimize the factors that affect human performance and minimize human error. Used properly,
human factors policies, programs, and procedures will help aviation maintenance personnel
perform their jobs safely and with more efficiency, capability, and less stress. New aircraft contain
materials, power plants, and technologies that did not exist in earlier models, and the number of
older aircraft has increased. While the aircraft on which they work have evolved dramatically over
the last 50 years, maintenance workers still exhibit all of the capabilities, limitations, and
idiosyncrasies that are part of being human. The nature of aviation maintenance is such that
Aviation Maintenance Technicians (AMTs) and Aviation Maintenance Inspectors (AMIs) often
work under conditions that stresses their physical, cognitive, and perceptual limits. AMTs and
AMIs sometimes work in cramped, awkward, or space-limited locations, under intense time
pressure, on complex systems, indoors and outdoors, and at all hours of the day. Understanding
human performance and limitations is crucial to an organization’s ability to attain high levels of
human performance across all aspects of the aviation maintenance domain. This instruction
establishes policy, procedures, and responsibilities for incorporating and coordinating human
factors considerations in maintenance and inspection programs and activities to enhance aviation
safety, capability, efficiency, and productivity. To align with aviation industry standards and
terminology this program will be titled Maintenance Human Factors (MxHF).
16.1.1. (AMC) The maintenance system in place for an organization includes technical
manuals and procedures, proper support equipment, and various organizational factors. The
specific components of the maintenance system need to be examined to determine how these
factors affect an individual’s performance, as well as defining the roles and responsibilities of
the individual and the organization. MxHF can be utilized for error reduction efforts to improve
processes, decrease induced damage and on-the-job-injuries. These considerations are related
to vision, hearing, information processing, attention and perception, memory, fatigue, stress,
complacency, distractions and interruptions to name a few. Communication breakdowns are
common in every organization and can cause a wide range of incidents and accidents. MxHF
examines written, verbal and non-verbal communication avenues and how they relate to task
and shift turnovers between teams. Teamwork roles and supervisory interaction have been
examined to strengthen decision making and conflict resolution techniques. Integrating
technical skills with interpersonal skills and basic human factors knowledge along with risk
management will improve communication, effectiveness and safety in maintenance operations.
MxHF works in conjunction with other safety reporting programs such as the Airman Safety
Action Program (ASAP) which is a voluntary program to anonymously report close call or
near-miss events. More information on ASAP can be found in AFI 91-202, The US Air Force
Mishap Prevention Program.
16.2. (AMC) Program Requirements. To facilitate a common culture, AMC’s MxHF program
will consist of an initial, one-time course of instruction and a refresher course required every two
years after initial training. The initial course should be of sufficient length to effectively and
adequately facilitate all course materials and case studies in application of the materials. It must
be led by a certified MxHF facilitator utilizing MAJCOM approved course materials located on
the MxHF Enterprise Information System (EIS) SharePoint,