The Development of Competency Model in Harmony with International Standard for Aircraft Mechanic Who Begins Maintenance Activities with Thai Registered Aircraft in Digital Era

Abstract

The objectives of this research were 1) to study standard competency of aircraft mechanic who begins maintenance activities with Thai registered aircraft in digital era, 2) to develop the competency model in harmony with international standard for aircraft mechanic who begins maintenance activities with Thai registered aircraft in digital era, and 3) to create a guidance material for development of competency model in harmony with international standard for aircraft mechanic who begins maintenance activities with Thai registered aircraft in digital era. The research approach was a qualitative method by using Delphi technique with focus group discussion. The data was drawn from three categories of informants: 1) 20 aircraft maintenance experts, 2) 13 aircraft maintenance management experts and 3) 5 guidance material development experts. Research instruments consisted of open-ended questionnaire, closed-ended questionnaire, pattern assessment form and guidance material assessment form. Content analysis was used to analyze the qualitative data from focus group discussion. Statistical methods were used for quantitative interpretation of medians and interquartile range. This research found that the development of competency model in harmony with international standard for aircraft mechanic who begins maintenance activities with Thai registered aircraft in digital era consisted of three main components: 1) Knowledge for aircraft maintenance that comprised 7 subcomponents, namely 1.1) aviation laws and standards 1.2) quality and safety management 1.3) aviation science 1.4) aviation foundation 1.5) aircraft maintenance 1.6) English for aircraft maintenance and 1.7) human factor, 2) Skills for aircraft maintenance that comprised 6 subcomponents, namely 2.1) English communication for aircraft maintenance 2.2) workplace management 2.3) analytical thinking 2.4) using digital equipment for aircraft maintenance 2.5) using digital era tools and 2.6) communication for digital era and 3) Attributes for aircraft mechanic that comprised 6 subcomponents, namely 3.1) workplace happiness 3.2) self-improvement 3.3) emotionally intelligent 3.4) aircraft maintenance ethics 3.5) responsibility for work and 3.6) safety awareness. The guidance material for the development of competency model in harmony with international standard for aircraft mechanic who begins maintenance activities with Thai registered aircraft in digital era was accepted by experts for suitability to be used in aviation industry.