Abstract:
Strategic aircraft maintenance practices are critical in enhancing the operational efficiency
of the light aircraft industry in Kenya. This study investigates the influence of four key
maintenance variables, namely Maintenance Turnaround Time (MT), Technician Skill
Level (TS), Preventive versus Corrective Maintenance Ratio (PC), and Compliance with
Audit Findings (AF), on operational efficiency at Wilson Airport. The study is anchored
on three theoretical perspectives: Market Structure Theory, which explains how the
organization of the maintenance environment affects turnaround time and operational
outcomes; Resource-Based View (RBV) Theory, which emphasizes the strategic
importance of skilled personnel in delivering competitive advantage; and Total Quality
Management (TQM), which highlights the role of quality practices in ensuring compliance
and balancing preventive and corrective maintenance interventions. An explanatory
research design with a quantitative approach is adopted, using structured questionnaires
administered to Aeronautical Engineers, Aircraft Maintenance Technicians, Quality
Assurance Officers, and Operations Managers. From a target population of 422 personnel,
a stratified random sampling technique will be used to draw a representative sample of 201
respondents. A pilot study with a subset of participants will assess the clarity and
consistency of the instrument. Content validity will be established through expert review
using the Content Validity Index (CVI), while reliability will be confirmed through
Cronbach’s alpha. Data analysis will involve descriptive statistics, Pearson correlation, and
multiple regression to examine the relationships between the independent variables and
operational efficiency. The findings are expected to provide evidence-based
recommendations for improving aircraft maintenance practices, enhancing workforce
competency, strengthening audit compliance, and ultimately supporting sustainable
operational efficiency in Kenya’s light aircraft sector.
