Human Factors Evaluation of Laptops as a Technical Data Repository in Aircraft Maintenance

Abstract

Verbatim from Embry-Riddle Scholarly Commons. Not paraphrased, not summarized.

Digital technology is employed more and more in society for both personal and professional use. Specifically, laptops and tablets are used in diverse environments in a variety of capacities. In the aircraft maintenance environment, many instances of technical data repositories exist in paper form. Retrieval and interaction with these documents can be limiting and introduce human factors that are less than ideal for maintenance operations. The deployment of laptops can alleviate some of those strains and offer a more ergonomic solution for technical data repositories. However, despite the many benefits introduced by technology, laptops may also present ergonomic strains not ideal for all applications. This paper reviews the human factors associated with human interaction with laptops in aircraft maintenance, specifically the design and layout of the laptop itself as applied to biomechanics and occupational ergonomics. Literature review revealed that laptops present limitations and physical stresses that outweigh the benefits of speed, agility, and the accessibility of technical information.

Authors

• Talley, Sarah Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University
• Groom, Christopher Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University

Keywords

• occupational ergonomics
• aircraft maintenance
• laptops
• Aviation
• Maintenance Technology