ACS ACS Professional Development 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which human factors concept describes a mechanic's tendency to complete a task as originally planned despite new information suggesting a change is needed?
- Confirmation bias
- Plan continuation error (Correct answer)
- Normalization of deviance
- Complacency
Correct answer: Plan continuation error
Plan continuation error (get-there-itis equivalent for maintenance) occurs when a technician proceeds with an original plan even after cues indicate it should change.
Question 2: Under FAR Part 65, a mechanic certificate with both Airframe and Powerplant ratings is commonly referred to as:
- A&P mechanic (Correct answer)
- IA holder
- Repairman
- Designated mechanic examiner
Correct answer: A&P mechanic
A mechanic holding both the Airframe and Powerplant ratings under 14 CFR Part 65 is commonly called an A&P mechanic.
Question 3: The ASRS (Aviation Safety Reporting System) offers reporters immunity from FAA certificate action primarily to:
- Reward mechanics financially for reporting
- Encourage candid, voluntary disclosure of safety hazards (Correct answer)
- Replace mandatory accident reporting requirements
- Provide legal immunity in civil lawsuits
Correct answer: Encourage candid, voluntary disclosure of safety hazards
ASRS immunity protects reporters so they will voluntarily disclose safety-relevant incidents without fear of certificate action, improving overall system safety.
Question 4: According to the Dirty Dozen human factors in aviation maintenance, 'complacency' is best described as:
- Overconfidence combined with reduced vigilance on familiar tasks (Correct answer)
- Failure to communicate a discrepancy to the next shift
- Working beyond approved data
- Physical fatigue causing missed inspection steps
Correct answer: Overconfidence combined with reduced vigilance on familiar tasks
Complacency in the Dirty Dozen refers to overconfidence and reduced vigilance—often on routine, familiar tasks where errors are most likely to be overlooked.
Question 5: A mechanic who suspects a fellow technician is working while impaired by alcohol should FIRST:
- Ignore it unless the aircraft is about to fly
- Immediately report it to the supervisor or safety officer (Correct answer)
- Confront the technician privately and warn them
- Annotate the maintenance log and continue working
Correct answer: Immediately report it to the supervisor or safety officer
Safety culture requires immediate escalation to a supervisor or safety officer when impairment is suspected, preventing unsafe maintenance from reaching an aircraft.
Question 6: In a Safety Management System (SMS), the 'safety assurance' component is primarily responsible for:
- Training employees on hazard identification
- Monitoring safety performance and verifying controls remain effective (Correct answer)
- Establishing the organization's safety policy
- Investigating all maintenance incidents
Correct answer: Monitoring safety performance and verifying controls remain effective
Safety assurance involves continuous monitoring of safety performance data to verify that implemented controls are working and that new hazards are identified.
Question 7: Which FAA publication is the primary source of guidance on human factors in aviation maintenance?
- AC 43.13-1B
- AC 120-72 (Correct answer)
- FAR Part 43
- AC 65-31A
Correct answer: AC 120-72
AC 120-72, Maintenance Resource Management Training, provides guidance on human factors principles applied to aviation maintenance.
ACS ACS Professional Development 2
Which human factors concept describes a mechanic's tendency to complete a task as originally planned despite new information suggesting a change is needed?