FL Technics Training: aviation accident prevention largely depends on technical personnel readiness

According to the data collected by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), since 1960 the number of aircraft accidents resulting from a human error has increased from 20% to a staggering 80%. Up to 15% of these accidents are attributed to mechanical or engineering faults. Airlines are updating their fleets and adding new aircraft as rapidly as ever and the number of passengers and flights is on a steep increase. Needless to say, it keeps increasing the already heavy workload for the aviation technical personnel even further and, according to FL Technics Training, will continue to do so in the nearest future. Therefore, highly qualified technical personnel have become an imperative for airlines seeking to avoid human errors negatively affecting the aviation industry.

“Highly qualified specialists are essential for maintaining safe and reliable aviation services. A single faulty part, a missing component or an unperformed necessary check may lead to an irreversible outcome. Not only do technical maintenance errors affect aviation safety but they may also bring considerable financial losses to airlines. A single Boeing 747-400 flight cancellation, for instance, may cost up to USD 140 000 while a delay of the same aircraft flight may knock an airline back by USD 17 000 per hour,” explained the Deputy Head of FL Technics Training Dainius Sakalauskas.

Most of aviation errors occur due to a lack of elementary technical knowledge. For instance, in 2003 an Air Midwest aircraft crashed shortly after the takeoff. Pilots were simply unable to control the pitch of the aircraft. There were two reasons for this. Firstly, the aircraft was overloaded and had an aft centre of gravity that exceeded limits. Secondly, the elevator control system did not have the full range of nose-down travel, due to incorrect rigging that had occurred during a maintenance visit just over 24 hours prior to the accident. As many as a third of all similar technical personnel mistakes can be explained by the lack of technical training.

“In any case, in the world of rapidly developing technologies the aviation industry would be simply incapable of functioning without a considerable input from technical personnel. According to Boeing forecast, in the next twenty years, due to aircraft fleet expansion and increasing passenger flows, the industry will require more than half a million aircraft technical maintenance personnel. The qualification and professional readiness of aircraft mechanics and engineers must meet the requirements of both today’s and tomorrow’s aviation. Therefore, adequate basic training is only the first step towards shaping a highly qualified specialist,” commented D.Sakalauskas.

According to D.Sakalauskas, investments in new technologies and specialized labour force development would play a big role in minimizing errors arising from human factor and ensuring a decreasing number of accidents resulting from faults made by technical personnel.

About FL Technics Training:

FL Technics Training is a provider of technical training for the aviation industry. Company offers comprehensive training services including basic training and examination, aircraft type training and specialized training for aircraft maintenance technicians, administrative and management personnel. FL Technics Training is a part of integrated aircraft maintenance and repair organization (MRO) FL Technics.

Based in Vilnius, Lithuania, FL Technics Training is certified as an European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) Part-147 training organization for the performance of courses for basic, aircraft type training and customized training programs according to the individual client requirements. Company serves a wide range of customers from Europe and CIS region countries (Poland, Romania, Ukraine, Moldova, etc.), Asia (including South Korea, Pakistan, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, Russian Federation and etc.), Africa, Cuba and other regions.

FL Technics Training programmes, drawn up in accordance with the requirements of the EASA, cover four areas: basic training, aircraft type training, specialized aviation training, consulting services. FL Technics Training offer training for diverse aircraft types: Airbus A318/A319/A320/A321, Airbus A380/340/330, ATR 42 - 200/300, ATR 72 - 100/200, Boeing 737 - 300/400/500, Boeing 737 - 600/700/800/900, Boeing 757 - 200, Boeing 767 - 200/300, Boeing 747/777/767, Saab – 340, Saab – 2000.

FL Technics Training offers specialized training programs of general interest for technical as well as administrative personnel from Engineering and Planning, Quality system, EASA Regulation Part-145, Part-M to Fuel Tank Safety courses. Training programs can be adapted individually to the specific needs and requirements of the clients.

More than 1000 students for over 40.000 hours per year are trained at the company's theoretical courses in Moscow, Tyumen, Alma Ata, Vilnius and London. Training on the job is executed in Vilnius, Kiev and London.