SMS Pro Aviation Safety Software Blog 4 Airlines & Airports

How to Manage High Levels of Risk Effectively

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. This is epitomized by the life of this former astronaut.

Nothing but the thin walls of a pressurized enclosure, hurtling through space at unimaginable speeds, lay between his small team onboard the space station and the cold eternity of space. In such circumstances, one small mistake could mean the difference between life and death.

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.

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,

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.