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.
Monitor KPIs in Existing Aviation SMS
Setting up and monitoring key performance indicators (KPIs) in existing aviation safety management systems (SMS) can be a daunting task. This especially applies to first-time safety managers or safety managers new to a company who are taking over an existing aviation SMS.
Such safety managers have many questions like:
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Topics:
Key Performance Indicators
What Is Safety Performance Monitoring and Measurement
Safety performance monitoring is an essential component of aviation safety management systems (SMS). And by “essential,” performance monitoring is like your SMS implementation's immune system.
When performance monitoring is not handled well, your safety program will wither. Worse yet, your operating certificate may be in jeopardy.
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Topics:
3-Safety Assurance
What Is Change Management
Management of change in aviation SMS is a formal process for facilitating changes in safety programs. Usually, this process is instigated when required changes are going to affect higher-level, systems in the SMS. Smaller changes are handled with corrective actions.
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Topics:
2-Safety Risk Management
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
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:
- Safety commitment
- Safety behavior
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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
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
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
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
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