SMS Pro Aviation Safety Software Blog 4 Airlines & Airports

Human Factors Central Theme in Aviation Safety

As the aviation industry continues to grow, a concentrated effort on safety needs to expand into all realms of aviation, especially regarding hazard identification, as well as risk assessment and mitigation, related to human error.

In aviation, there will always be uncontrolled variables. This remains true because we operate in an open system, exposed to many variables outside the direct control of the operator.

Safety Management Systems Drive Efficiency

I believe the primary motivation of safety management systems (SMS) in aviation is efficiency. Of course, safety and looking out for the health and well-being of others is incredibly important, that goes without saying, but there are more consequences of safety risks than simply injuries to consider.

Some accidents and mistakes cost time and money rather than lives. Preventing those types of incidents is incredibly important to aviation as well.

A Culture of Respect

In order to understand the idea of safety culture within the aviation industry, we must first understand the respect attributed to:

• Pilots;
• Mechanics;
• Controllers;
• Dispatchers; and
• All others needed to make the system function.

Aviation SMS Encourage Safe Behavior

The FAA's requirement of many aviation service providers to create a formal aviation Safety Management System (SMS) stretches far beyond the realm of immediate safety concerns.

FAA not only recognized the value of an SMS to help keep aviation service providers safe on an ongoing basis, but to also pave the way for future improvements that can shape aviation in the long run.

SMS are designed to proactively encourage safe behavior throughout an organization.

Starting With Safety Culture From the Beginning

Safety culture in the aviation industry has many forms.

For me, however, I know it as one very rigid form.

Being an Aircrew Flight Equipment Specialist in the Air Force, there can be no mistakes. For me, indoctrination in safety culture started in technical school with the cadre constantly reminding us that our job will save the lives of the pilots and aircrew under our charge.

One of my instructors shared a story, which to this day sticks with me every time I pack a parachute.