Narrative:

After being out of aviation for nine plus years I recently returned to air carrier X at ZZZ airport to work line maintenance. My fifteen years in aviation did not prepare me for line maintenance as I had mostly worked in overhaul type work. Air carrier X has recalled many mechanics [at ZZZ] that are new to line maintenance and are not being trained in the work they are expected to perform. All of the aircraft are ETOPS rated and everyone is given ETOPS awareness training. The problem is that we are not being taught the different fleet types and work is being performed unsupervised by those who possess only the awareness training. Many become ETOPS qualified after just a two week class for a fleet type; but have no experience on the plane. Computer based training (cbt) has become the 'norm' but lacks the quality of instructor lead training when a question arises. This lack of training; supervision; and practical experience is a problem waiting to happen. The effort is not made to have new mechanics work with someone who is experienced; or to try to keep the new person on the same fleet type so that that airplane can be learned. The experience level is high at ZZZ; but without proper protocols this asset has not been realized and could have many downfalls.

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Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: An Aircraft Maintenance Technician (AMT) returning to Line Maintenance after a lengthy furlough describes an environment where new and returning mechanics are not being trained in the work they are expected to perform. Aircraft are all ETOPS rated; but work is being performed unsupervised by those who possess only ETOPS awareness training; not actual experience.

Narrative: After being out of aviation for nine plus years I recently returned to Air Carrier X at ZZZ Airport to work Line Maintenance. My fifteen years in aviation did not prepare me for Line Maintenance as I had mostly worked in Overhaul type work. Air Carrier X has recalled many mechanics [at ZZZ] that are new to Line Maintenance and are not being trained in the work they are expected to perform. All of the aircraft are ETOPS rated and everyone is given ETOPS awareness training. The problem is that we are not being taught the different fleet types and work is being performed unsupervised by those who possess only the awareness training. Many become ETOPS qualified after just a two week class for a fleet type; but have no experience on the plane. Computer Based Training (CBT) has become the 'norm' but lacks the quality of instructor lead training when a question arises. This lack of training; supervision; and practical experience is a problem waiting to happen. The effort is not made to have new mechanics work with someone who is experienced; or to try to keep the new person on the same fleet type so that that airplane can be learned. The experience level is high at ZZZ; but without proper protocols this asset has not been realized and could have many downfalls.

Data retrieved from NASA's ASRS site as of July 2013 and automatically converted to unabbreviated mixed upper/lowercase text. This report is for informational purposes with no guarantee of accuracy. See NASA's ASRS site for official report.