Alternative Maintenance Communication Model for a Marine Light Attack Helicopter (HMLA) Squadron

A recent safety culture workshop revealed that despite having an appropriate number of qualifications and multiple maintenance meetings throughout a given day, Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadrons (HMLAs) are still suffering from the problem of inefficient communication. When I was the quality assurance officer (QAO) at HMLA-267, I saw firsthand how inefficient communication between and within multiple shops led to multiple "down" aircraft and an inability to execute all flights on any given flight schedule. The original intent of this research was to gather data about how communication was occurring in the maintenance department, including the time required for information to pass from Marine to Marine, to find ways to increase efficiency and throughput. The study focused on the sponsors squadron, with data obtained remotely due to coronavirus travel restrictions at the time this research was taking place. The model created ended up answering a manpower problem instead of focusing on communication. The output showed that placing personnel within the Flightline shop first, followed by airframes and then avionics, would be the best way to cut down on maintenance times. This model can be used as a foundation for more detailed events to be added in the future, or to see how adjusting the personnel size of each shop affects completion times.