Steve Potts
Steve Potts, of Swedish-Norwegian descent, was born in Fairbanks, Alaska, where his passion for flying began early. Earning his pilot’s license at 16, he built a 30-year career, flying single-engine Cessnas and twin-engine turboprops across Alaska’s challenging terrains. Starting as a bush pilot, Steve delivered supplies to remote villages, later flying commercial routes for regional airlines in the Pacific Northwest and Canada. With over 15,000 flight hours, he became a respected mentor and advocate for aviation safety. In 2015, Steve joined SMS Pro, a leader in Safety Management System software. As a senior consultant, he develops safety protocols and training, helping aviation organizations worldwide meet international standards. Steve remains active in Fairbanks, occasionally flying and volunteering with youth programs. He holds a Bachelor’s in Aviation Technology from the University of Alaska Fairbanks, is a certified flight instructor (CFI) and Airline Transport Pilot (ATP), and enjoys skiing and preserving his heritage through traditional cooking.
Promoting a Safety-First Mindset: Lessons From Top Aviation Operators
In aviation, where safety is non-negotiable, cultivating a safety-first mindset ensures that every decision, from flight operations to maintenance, prioritizes risk reduction and compliance. This mindset, embraced by top aviation operators, drives a proactive safety culture within Safety Management Systems (SMS), aligning with FAA Part 5 and ICAO Annex 19. FAA data shows that organizations with a safety-first mindset achieve 80% risk reduction and a 70% increase in hazard reporting, fostering trust and accountability across all levels.
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Topics:
4-Safety Promotion,
1-Safety Policy,
Safety Culture
Leading Indicators for Aviation Safety Management: Proactive Metrics for Education and Excellence
In aviation, where safety is paramount, staying ahead of risks is critical. Leading indicators—proactive metrics that signal potential safety issues before they become incidents—are essential tools within Safety Management Systems (SMS).
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Topics:
Key Performance Indicators,
4-Safety Promotion,
3-Safety Assurance,
2-Safety Risk Management,
Safety Culture
What Is an Emergency Response Plan in Aviation SMS?
An Emergency Response Plan (ERP) is a structured, documented framework within an aviation SMS that outlines how an organization responds to crises, such as aircraft accidents, serious incidents, or other emergencies like natural disasters, bomb threats, or public health crises. It’s designed to minimize harm, ensure safety, and maintain compliance with regulatory bodies like the FAA, EASA, and ICAO.
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Topics:
4-Safety Promotion,
3-Safety Assurance,
1-Safety Policy,
2-Safety Risk Management,
FAA Compliance
In the high-stakes world of aviation, a robust Safety Management System (SMS) is critical for mitigating risks and ensuring safety. For aviation safety managers and accountable executives—senior leaders responsible for SMS oversight—demonstrating compliance with regulatory standards, such as those set by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) or national authorities like the FAA or EASA, is a top priority.
One powerful tool for showcasing compliance during regulatory inspections is a resource allocation report. This report summarizes investments in the four SMS pillars—safety policy, safety risk management, safety assurance, and safety promotion—proving that the organization has committed adequate financial, human, and technological resources to safety.
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Topics:
4-Safety Promotion,
3-Safety Assurance,
1-Safety Policy,
2-Safety Risk Management,
FAA Compliance,
Safety Culture
Leading Indicators for Aviation SMS
Leading indicators in aviation safety management are proactive metrics that help predict and prevent safety issues before they result in incidents or accidents. These indicators focus on organizational, operational, and human factors within the aviation system.
Below is a comprehensive list of leading indicators that can be analyzed for educational purposes in aviation safety management. Each indicator is accompanied by a brief explanation of its relevance and potential data sources for analysis.
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Topics:
Key Performance Indicators,
4-Safety Promotion,
3-Safety Assurance,
Risk Management Software,
2-Safety Risk Management,
Risk Management Training,
Safety Culture
Identifying and Overcoming Resistance to Change
In aviation, safety is the absolute priority. To manage safety risks systematically, organizations implement Safety Management Systems (SMS), a structured top-down approach integrating safety into all operational facets.
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Topics:
4-Safety Promotion,
1-Safety Policy
For aviation safety managers, training employees to identify hazards is a critical component of a robust Safety Management System (SMS) under 14 CFR Part 5, EASA and other national civil aviation authorities' SMS regulations.
Effective hazard identification—through data analysis, employee reporting, and operational reviews—enables organizations to proactively manage risks, comply with FAA regulations, and foster a strong safety culture.
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Topics:
3-Safety Assurance,
2-Safety Risk Management,
Risk Management Training,
FAA Compliance,
Safety Culture
Introduction: Safety Challenges in Aerial Power Line Inspections
Aerial power line inspections, conducted by helicopters and drones, are critical for maintaining electrical grid reliability but pose significant safety risks. The Federal Aviation Administration reports that utility aviation incidents, often linked to human factors or environmental hazards, contribute to 70% of accidents in this sector, costing millions annually, per IATA.
Safety managers must navigate low-altitude operations, complex terrain, and regulatory demands under ICAO Annex 19 and FAA Part 5. SMS Pro’s aviation SMS software addresses these challenges with tools like real-time hazard reporting, risk management, and analytics, achieving a 20% incident reduction in prior case studies.
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Topics:
Aviation SMS Database,
4-Safety Promotion,
Risk Management Software,
2-Safety Risk Management
As an aviation safety manager or accountable executive, developing a Safety Management System (SMS) that complies with 14 CFR Part 5 is critical for ensuring safety and meeting Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) requirements.
A well-crafted SMS Implementation Plan is your roadmap to achieving this, outlining how your organization will establish, integrate, and maintain an SMS to proactively manage safety risks. This guide provides a step-by-step approach to writing a comprehensive Part 5 SMS Implementation Plan acceptable to your local FAA Certificate Management Office (CMO), complete with practical examples and tips for success.
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Topics:
Aviation SMS Implementation,
4-Safety Promotion,
3-Safety Assurance,
1-Safety Policy,
2-Safety Risk Management,
Risk Management Training,
FAA Compliance
For aviation safety managers and accountable executives, implementing a Safety Management System (SMS) under 14 CFR Part 5 is a regulatory requirement that strengthens safety performance and ensures compliance with FAA standards. A critical step in this process is preparing and submitting an SMS Implementation Plan to the FAA, which outlines how your organization will develop and operationalize its SMS.
This guide walks you through the essentials of creating an SMS Implementation Plan, the FAA’s expectations, and the submission process. Whether you’re a Part 135 operator, Part 91.147 air tour operator, or Part 21 certificate holder, this article provides actionable steps to help you meet FAA requirements and foster a robust safety culture.
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Topics:
Aviation SMS Implementation,
3-Safety Assurance,
1-Safety Policy,
2-Safety Risk Management
