What is the primary goal of a tool control program?

The primary goal of a tool control program is to ensure all tools are accounted for and to prevent them from being left on aircraft. This is crucial in maintaining safety and operational integrity in aviation. When tools are inadvertently left on or inside an aircraft, they can cause significant damage or pose a safety hazard during flight operations. A robust tool control program involves systematic processes for tracking tools, conducting regular inventories, and establishing protocols for tool storage and retrieval. This diligence helps to avoid accidents, enhances operational efficiency, and ensures compliance with safety regulations.

While reducing tool costs and improving teamwork among maintenance staff might be beneficial outcomes of an efficient program, they are secondary to the imperative of accountability and safety that a tool control program fundamentally aims to achieve. Similarly, increasing tool diversity, while potentially advantageous for some operational aspects, does not directly address the primary focus of maintaining a safe and controlled environment regarding tool usage on aircraft.