B777 Undifferentiated or Other Model
Maintenance Airframe; Maintenance Powerplant
Maintenance Lead Technician 25
Communication Breakdown; Training / Qualification
Aircraft Equipment Problem Critical
General None Reported / Taken
Company Policy; Aircraft; Human Factors; Procedure
As an aircraft engine start/run-up/taxi designee I am concerned that the training and requalification requirements in the current [Procedures Manual] revision are inadequate. In the past all run-up and taxi requalification's required a proficiency checkout on each fleet type every 24 months. With the current revision; a proficiency checkout on one fleet requalifies an Aircraft Maintenance Technician (AMT) on all previously qualified fleets. So if an employee is qualified on [multiple fleets] a proficiency checkout on ANY fleet qualifies them on all fleets. I have been a run-up and taxi designee for over 25 years. My training and experience have shown that the proficiency checkout is a vital link in maintaining safe aircraft operations. It is at the proficiency check out that bad habits are identified and corrected; and 'at risk' behaviors are stopped before an accident or incident takes place. With the current version of the [Procedures Manual]; if an employee is run-up and taxi qualified on 4 fleet types; they will only get 'one' proficiency check ride every two years; no matter how many fleet types they are qualified on. In the past; if they were qualified on four fleet types; they would need four proficiency checkouts to remain qualified on all four fleet types. For example: The operating characteristics and procedures vary greatly from fleet type to fleet type. A 737 and 777 are completely dis-similar in handling; procedures and cockpit layout. How can we be sure an employee is proficient on a fleet type if they are not given a Check ride on that specific fleet?  I believe that the current policy is flawed. Not accomplishing fleet specific proficiency checkrides will lead to unintended consequences such as unidentified 'at risk' behaviors and increased risk of accidents and incidents. The relevant [Procedures Manual] section has been copied below: 1) Proficiency Checkout - Checkout can be from an employee who is Engine/Run-Up/Taxi Designee qualified on any fleet. 2) Requalification - Every 24 months to the end of the expiration month.   3) Proficiency Checkout - check-out on any single previously qualified fleet re-qualifies AMT on all previously qualified fleets. Revise the [Procedures Manual] to accomplish fleet specific proficiency checkouts every two years. Ergo; [if] You are qualified on four fleets; you will need four proficiency checkouts every two years. One for each fleet. Lead Technician.
A Lead Technician with multiple years of experience as an Aircraft Maintenance; Engine Start; Run-up; and Taxi Instructor; reports about the recent policy changes to the training and re-qualification requirements in their Procedures Manual. They believe the changes are flawed and will increase 'at risk' behaviors due to the lack of not accomplishing fleet specific proficiency Check rides on each type of fleet aircraft as previously required.