Most of us grew up using good old fashioned pen and paper for just about everything. In fact, for most things, I still prefer it over using my phone or computer.
It’s quick, it’s natural, it’s something we can touch and feel.
But frankly, comparing pen and paper methods to software for managing documentation requirements of formal aviation Safety Management Systems (SMS) is the difference between driving a trusted old pickup and a Formula 1 racing car.
Topics: Risk Management Software
Like safety training, safety promotion in aviation safety management systems (SMS) is wrought with rigid material that screams in so many ways, “tune me out!”
Much of the safety promotion information doled out at workplaces looks more like an IKEA how-to manual than serving as a tool to make employees cheer for, and feel as if they are true contributors to their aviation SMS.
Safety promotion is among the most important elements in every aviation SMS implementation. Any organization that fails to routinely and effectively promote their aviation SMS is leaving money on the table. Safety promotion is an investment into your aviation SMS!
From our experience talking with safety managers around the world, promoting aviation safety is the most overlooked and neglected component of ICAO's four pillars of an SMS, which are:
Topics: 4-Safety Promotion
Being an aviation safety officer is an often unrewarding and challenging job. In many ways, an aviation safety manager is like a professional plate spinner balancing delicate interests and priorities, such as:
Topics: 2-Safety Risk Management
Since November 2006, ICAO has mandated that aviation service providers implement formal aviation safety management systems (SMS). Among multiple operators that we have worked with, there has been confusion about:
Topics: Risk Management Training
Highly functioning aviation safety management systems (SMS) always have effective data acquisition and risk management practices. This is not the case of most nascent SMS implementations.
Monitoring SMS performance and spotting safety trends are not at the forefront of most safety managers' minds as they begin their SMS implementations.
Topics: Aviation SMS Database
Unless you are new to aviation safety management systems (SMS), safety professionals recognize that the objective of aviation SMS is to:
Topics: Quality-Safety Management
A flight risk assessment tool, commonly known as FRAT, is a very important element of your SMS program.
Every flight has risks and hazards.
Using a FRAT tool helps airline SMS programs evaluate review and identify those risks. Based on this FRAT review process, safety programs can develop mitigation strategies.
Topics: 2-Safety Risk Management
How much risk are you will you willing to accept?
This is one of the most critical questions that every aviation service provider needs to answer. The answer will influence every single risk management activity in the operator's aviation safety management system (SMS).
What is your risk appetite? Not surprisingly, our risk appetite changes based on a variety of factors that require constant monitoring, including:
Topics: 2-Safety Risk Management
Control measures are the heart of your aviation safety management system’s (SMS) risk mitigation efforts. You may call your "control measures" either:
In this article, we'll use the term "control measures," but I am sure many of you call them "risk controls." Either term is permissible; however, I'm detecting a global preference in the aviation industry for the term "risk control."
Topics: 3-Safety Assurance
The Northern Hemisphere is blanketed in winter, which involves, cold, ice, many long nights and grey days.
For human fatigue that means two things:
Winter fatigue is a real, medically proven problem that affects many people.
Topics: Human Factors
These two on-demand videos offer:
