SMS Pro Aviation Safety Software Blog 4 Airlines & Airports

Christopher Howell

Manage global operations for aviation safety management systems (SMS) software that facilitates regulatory compliance, such as ICAO, FAA, Transport Canada, IS-BAO. Manage software engineering support efforts to local Alaska businesses. Assist in design, implementation, testing and documentation of complex, three-tier Windows applications relying heavily upon secure Web services technology.
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Recent Posts

Overcoming Most Common Aviation SMS Implementation Challenges - Free Resources

Posted by Christopher Howell on Dec 4, 2024 6:00:00 AM

Plans and Challenges of Implementation

Aviation safety management systems (SMS) implementation takes a long time to fully mature, usually three to five years if you are lucky.

Once there, your SMS will continually be tweaked and updated, which of course requires further implementation and monitoring.

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Topics: 1-Safety Policy

8 Charts to Monitor Safety Culture Performance in Safety Management Systems (SMS)

Posted by Christopher Howell on Nov 20, 2024 6:00:00 AM

Types of Aviation Safety Culture

While it is normal to say that safety culture is something you should pay attention to, it might be better to say that safety culture are things you should pay attention to.

Safety culture in aviation organizations is more than just one thing. There are multiple “types” of safety culture.

The five faces of safety culture you should consider are:

  1. Safety commitment
  2. Safety behavior
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KPI Dashboard Monitoring Guidelines for Aviation SMS – With Free KPI Resources

Posted by Christopher Howell on Nov 13, 2024 6:45:00 AM

Presenting Key Performance Indicators to Managers

A KPI key performance indicator remains the most effective means to communicate and monitor aviation service providers' goals and objectives related to the aviation safety management system (SMS). These dashboards offer the most value when they are:

  • Focused on Organizational Key Objectives;
  • Free From Clutter;
  • Easily Personalized for Individual Managers;
  • Secured From Unauthorized Personnel;
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Topics: Key Performance Indicators

How to Measure Safety Performance in Aviation SMS

Posted by Christopher Howell on Oct 16, 2024 6:15:00 AM

Why Do We Measure Aviation Safety Performance?

Aviation safety managers are tasked with a Safety Assurance (SA) element labeled "Continuous Improvement." Not many aviation safety management systems (SMS) training courses go into much detail about "Continuous Improvement" which leaves many safety managers confusedly scratching their heads.

Safety Assurance is the third ICAO component or pillar of an ICAO-compliant SMS framework. Annex 19 - Safety Management and the four components are described in detail in ICAO's Document 9859.

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Topics: 3-Safety Assurance

3 Goal-Setting Tips Using Aviation Key Performance Indicators - With Free KPI Resources

Posted by Christopher Howell on Oct 2, 2024 6:00:00 AM

Why Use Aviation Key Performance Indicators as Goals or Objectives

Setting goals and objectives for your aviation safety management system (SMS) is a requirement, i.e., not optional.

Become accustomed to this requirement. Embrace it. Realize organizational value from this requirement and stop squandering an excellent opportunity to improve operations and show that the SMS can become the promised "profit driver."

Don't believe you can pencil whip this requirement like so many safety managers today.

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Topics: Key Performance Indicators

What Is Aviation Incident and Accident Reporting Software?

Posted by Christopher Howell on Sep 11, 2024 4:05:00 AM

Aviation Incident and Accident Reporting Software

Aviation Incident and Accident Reporting Software are specialized software systems that facilitate the collection, analysis, and reporting of aviation incidents and accidents. Safety reporting systems are crucial for enhancing aviation safety by providing a structured, repeatable process to document, analyze, and learn from occurrences within the aviation industry.

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Topics: 2-Safety Risk Management

Despite Corruption, IATA Operational Safety Audits Enhance Aviation SMS

Posted by Christopher Howell on May 29, 2024 6:00:00 AM

Aviation Safety Audits Are Not for Just Airlines

Aviation safety managers must be prepared for a never-ending chain of audits. This is a fact of life, whether you are working at:

  • Airlines;
  • Airports;
  • Ground handling companies;
  • Flight schools; or
  • Aviation maintenance organizations.
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Topics: 3-Safety Assurance

5 Warning Signs and Symptoms of Aviation SMS Failures

Posted by Christopher Howell on Mar 20, 2024 6:00:00 AM

Aviation Safety Management System Symptoms and Underlying Causes

An aviation safety management system (SMS) functions almost like a living, breathing entity. The SMS' required safety assurance processes facilitate improvements through continual verification and follow-up actions. Regardless of your SMS maturity level, the SMS continually evolves.

Every SMS has many moving parts that work together to reduce risk and comply with regulatory requirements. These individual components can exhibit healthy signs, as well as symptoms of underlying problems.

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Topics: 2-Safety Risk Management

4 Tips for Passing Aviation SMS Audits - with Free Resources

Posted by Christopher Howell on Feb 28, 2024 6:30:00 AM

Why Passing an Aviation SMS Audit Is Critical

Over the past dozen years, an aviation SMS audit has become a necessary and commonly difficult task for:

  • Airlines;
  • Airports;
  • Aviation maintenance organizations;
  • ATC; and
  • Flight schools.
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Topics: 3-Safety Assurance

5 Simple Tips to Improve Aviation Safety Reporting Cultures

Posted by Christopher Howell on Jan 3, 2024 1:59:00 PM

Safety Managers Can Only Manage Hazards That Are Reported

Healthy aviation safety management systems (SMS) rely upon hazard reporting to reduce operational risk. High-performing safety reporting cultures receive approximately one report for every ten employees each month.

When safety managers have poor hazard reporting cultures, they have a more difficult time justifying aviation safety budgets. Furthermore, their collected data is skewed and inaccurate and basically useless for responsible decision-making.

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Topics: 1-Safety Policy

Site content provided by Northwest Data Solutions is meant for informational purposes only. Opinions presented here are not provided by any civil aviation authority or standards body.

 

 

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