Pepperdine University Graduate School of Education and Psychology

							Pepperdine University Graduate School of Education and Psychology

RECRUITING WOMEN AND MINORITIES INTO AVIATION MAINTENANCE

An Individual Dissertation submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Education

by Paul M. Foster, Jr.

July 2003

VITA Paul M. Foster, Jr., EdS, CSHM WSO-CGSO/CSI (ML) Education 2003 1995 1984 1980 1980 1986 1978 Doctorate of Education Organizational Leadership Education Specialist General Education Administration Master of Arts Management Bachelor of Professional Aeronautics Aircraft Maintenance Associates in Professional Aeronautics Aircraft Maintenance Associates of Applied Science Instructor in Technology Associates of Applied Science Aircraft Maintenance Technology Pepperdine University Malibu, CA Troy State University Montgomery Montgomery, AL. Webster University St. Louis, MO. Embry-Riddle Aeronautical Univ Daytona-Beach, FL. Embry-Riddle Aeronautical Univ Daytona-Beach, FL. Community College of the Air Force Maxwell AFB, AL. Community College of the Air Force Maxwell AFB, AL.

Credentials 2001 1998 1992 1988 1977 1976 Certified Safety and Health Manager Institute for Safety and Health Management Certified Governmental Safety Officer Certified Safety Instructor (Master Level) World Safety Organization Federal Aviation Administration Inspection Authorization CCAF Aerospace Management Certificate CCAF Instructor Certificate of Recognition Federal Aviation Administration Mechanic Certificate Airframe and Powerplant Rating Federal Communication Commission Restricted Radiotelephone Operator Permit

Professional Experience: Full-Time 1995-Present 1994-1995 1989-1994 1984-1989 FAA- Aviation Safety Inspector Training Program Manager; Long Beach, CA Assistant Professor of Technology: Fairmont State College, WV United States Air Force: Superintendent of Aviation/Aerospace Science Programs; CCAF, Maxwell AFB, AL United States Air Force: Master Instructor, Field Training

1973-1984

Detachment; Altus AFB, OK; Clark AB, Philippines United States Air Force: Weapons Systems Controller; Aircraft Maintenance Technician.

Professional Experience: Part Time 1997-Present 1991-1994 1989-1991 1987-1989 1985-1986 1980-1981 1978-1979 Honors 2002 2001 1999 1996 1993 1991 1990 1988 1987 1986 1978 1976 NBCFAE Special Recognition Award National Excellence in Public Awareness Award WP Regional Excellence in Public Awareness Award LGB FSDO Visionary Award LGB FSDO Excellence in Public Awareness Award FAA Regional Visionary Award Western-Pacific Region Fully Certified Member of the Council on Aviation Accreditation 12 Outstanding Airmen of the Year Nominee CCAF SNCO of the Year CCAF SNCO of the Quarter (Jan-Mar; Oct-Dec) CCAF SNCO of the Quarter (Apr-Jun) Military Outstanding Performer Instructional Achievement Award Field Training Detachment Instructor of the Year Central Texas College Part-Time Instructor of the Year FTD 403 Instructor of the Quarter (Jan-Mar) Outstanding Maintenance Technician of the Year Nominee NCOLS Speech Award Adjunct Associate Professor: Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University; March Air Reserve Base, CA Airframe-Powerplant Maintenance Technician: Tuskegee, AL. Airframe-Powerplant Maintenance Technician Maxwell AFB Military Aero Club; Montgomery, AL. Adjunct Aviation Maintenance Instructor Central Texas College, TX. Clark AB, Philippines Adjunct Instructor: Western Oklahoma State College, Altus, OK. A/P Maintenance Technician: Altus Aircraft Repair Shop Adjunct Instructor: Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University Rhein-Main AB, Germany Airframe-Powerplant Maintenance Technician Hanau Military Aero Club: Hanau, Germany

ABSTRACT Women and minorities representation in the aviation maintenance work force remains disproportionately low. There are insufficient numbers of students learning mechanics to supply an industry experiencing steady growth. In order to rectify this situation, the aviation industry and maintenance technical schools must develop recruitment strategies to encourage and initiate interests among minorities to participate in aviation maintenance career preparation. The subjects for the study consisted of 43 women and minority aviation maintenance educators from 17 FAA certificated Aviation Maintenance Technician Schools located in 7 states having the largest minorities populations. The primary method of collecting the data from the survey was the telephone interview. Thirty respondents completed the survey using the telephone interview method and 13 respondents either mailed, e-mailed, or faxed their responses. The major findings from the study led to the following conclusions and recommendations: 1. Women continue to be underrepresented in aviation maintenance, although they are gaining some ground. The findings of the study revealed 34 respondents were male and 9 were female. 2. Women of color may be significantly underrepresented in aviation maintenance. The findings of study revealed that of the 9 females completing the survey, 8 were white and 1 was black. There were no responses from Native American, Asian, or Hispanic females.

3. Barriers still exist preventing women and minorities from entering and participating in aviation maintenance. The study revealed that both women and minorities agreed that the top 3 barriers preventing them from pursuing aviation maintenance were the Lack of Role Models, the Lack of Mentors and the Lack of Personal Contacts. 4. School Counselors and Military Recruiters are not playing a strong role encouraging women and minorities to consider aviation maintenance as a career. The study revealed 25 respondents were self-motivated and respondents became aware of aviation maintenance as a career between the ages of 10 and 20 years. 5. Many Aviation Maintenance professionals appear to be working in isolation, without the support of mentors and professional organizations. The study also revealed that 26 respondents (60.47%) did not belong to any professional associations.