SMS Pro Aviation Safety Software Blog 4 Airlines & Airports

What Is a Gap Analysis?

As I researched SMS and what it means and how to implement one, the gap analysis kept coming up as something I needed more information on.

At first it seemed intimidating, but it's exactly what it sounds like; a tool to identify:

• What already exists
• What’s missing

How Risk Management Depends on Managers and Employees

As the former Commander of the International Space Station, it is not surprising that in interviews, Chris Hadfield often stresses the importance of effective risk management. Whether for career or pleasure, every aviator experiences a considerable level of risk in their operational environment.

This is epitomized by the life of this former astronaut.

The Tone Your Aviation Safety Training Should Have

Airports and airlines are busy places. Many inexperienced and experienced pilots and other personnel can be found hurrying about completing their tasks and missions. In such conditions, as in all aviation settings, a good safety culture is essential.

Understanding Safety Policy

Many of the words and phrases used in aviation SMS have very specific meanings beyond those found in the dictionary. Hazard and risk, for example, have definitions that go beyond Merriam-Webster’s definition.

Safety policy is not one of those phrases. In fact, safety policy can refer to two distinctly different aspects of your SMS, which can be highly confusing when you jump in with both feet like I did.

4 Aviation Safety Management Practices to Apply in Aviation Maintenance

In aviation maintenance, as in all other aspects of the aviation sector, safety is paramount. 4 safety management practices that can be applied to make any maintenance operation safer are:

• Use of tangible metrics to measure effectiveness
• Open communication between management and operational employees;

What Is This SMS Thing?

What’s the first thing you do when you want to answer a question? You Google it, right? Well, when you Google "aviation SMS", this is what the FAA will tell you:

SMS is the formal, top-down, organization-wide approach to managing safety risk and assuring the effectiveness of safety risk controls. It includes systematic procedures, practices, and policies for the management of safety risk.

FAA Order 8000.369

SMS Creates Inclusive Airport Environment

My field of study is aerospace management. In one path of this field alone, airport management, many different systems require complex, diverse operations. Some of these systems are:

• Terminal;
• Airside;
• Security operations; and

How Aviation Safety Program Becomes Global Standard

The human spirit is a restless one, always seeking to push the boundaries of possibility.

Since the Wright brothers' first successful flight occurred only in 1903, aviation is relatively new to humankind. The nature of flight challenges people to come up with better ways to deal with risk.

The global standard, SMS, supports the aviation industry through

Best Safety Risk Management Practices for Aviation Maintenance

In aviation maintenance, as in all other aspects of the aviation sector, safety is paramount. Four safety management practices that can be applied to make any maintenance operation safer are:

1. use of tangible aviation safety metrics to measure effectiveness,
2. open communication between management and operational employees,
3. continuous improvement (CI), and

What Are Main Challenges With Aviation SMS Participation

Many often complain about how difficult it is to get full participation for their aviation safety management system. However, it doesn’t have to be difficult. Members of your organization will need much less coaxing to participate in your aviation safety program by making your program: