Jamie Adams
Jamie Adams, born in Homer, Alaska, developed a deep interest in aviation mechanics growing up in a town surrounded by small airfields and seaplanes. After completing their Airframe and Powerplant (A&P) certification, Jamie began a career in aviation maintenance, working for 25 years in a Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) facility in Anchorage. There, Jamie specialized in aircraft systems, focusing on turbine engines and avionics for regional aircraft operating in Alaska’s demanding conditions. Jamie’s meticulous attention to detail and expertise in troubleshooting complex mechanical issues earned them a reputation as a trusted technician among pilots and operators. In 2012, Jamie joined SMS Pro, a leading provider of Safety Management System (SMS) software for the aviation industry. Transitioning from hands-on maintenance to a safety-focused role, Jamie brought their extensive MRO experience to the table, helping aviation organizations implement effective safety protocols. As a safety specialist at SMS Pro, Jamie develops risk assessment tools and training programs, ensuring maintenance teams adhere to global safety standards. Their practical insights have been vital in bridging the gap between operational maintenance and safety management. Jamie continues to reside in Homer, where they enjoy fishing and mentoring young aviation enthusiasts. They hold a degree in Aviation Maintenance Technology from the University of Alaska Anchorage and remain an active member of the Alaskan aviation community.
Introduction: Fatigue’s Threat to Aviation Safety
Fatigue is a critical risk in aviation, contributing to 70–80% of incidents by impairing cognitive function, reaction times, and decision-making. From pilots on long-haul flights to MRO technicians working night shifts, fatigue undermines safety across operations. The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) and Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) mandate Fatigue Risk Management Systems (FRMS) within Safety Management Systems (SMS) to mitigate this threat, as outlined in ICAO Annex 19 and FAA Part 5 (expanded in 2024 to include Part 145 MROs).
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Topics:
Aviation SMS Database,
4-Safety Promotion,
3-Safety Assurance,
2-Safety Risk Management
Under CAR 702, 703, 704, 706, 571, and 573??
In Canada, the requirement for a formal Safety Management System (SMS) under the Canadian Aviation Regulations (CARs) applies to specific categories of air operators and organizations, as outlined in CAR 107 and related subparts.
Based on the regulations and their applicability to CAR 702, 703, 704, 706, 571, and 573, here’s which of these require a formal SMS as of year 2025:
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Topics:
Aviation SMS Implementation,
Risk Management Training
As an aviation safety manager or accountable executive, preparing for an FAA Part 5 Safety Management System (SMS) audit is critical to ensuring compliance and maintaining a robust safety culture.
The FAA’s Part 5 regulation, outlined in 14 CFR Part 5, mandates SMS for certificate holders under Parts
- 121,
- 135,
- 91.147, and
- certain Part 21 operations.
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Topics:
4-Safety Promotion,
3-Safety Assurance,
1-Safety Policy,
2-Safety Risk Management,
FAA Compliance
Effort Needed Employee Participation in Aviation Safety Programs
The more people involved in the aviation field take advantage of these aviation safety programs, the safer the industry is likely to be.
Encouraging participation in these programs can be as simple as word of mouth referrals or posting program information on bulletin boards at the local fixed base operator (FBO).
However, safety promotion efforts alone are seldom enough to motivate employees to actively involve themselves in a safety program.
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Topics:
4-Safety Promotion
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.
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Topics:
4-Safety Promotion
What’s in a Name?
Identifying hazards is a big part of implementing a Safety Management System or SMS. Most of us assume that we know what a hazard is. It’s not a complicated word, we’re pretty sure we know what it means. No problem, right?
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Topics:
2-Safety Risk Management
Safety Management Systems Bore Most Employees
Unlike those who study and create safety management systems (SMS), to the average employee these programs can be boring.
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Topics:
4-Safety Promotion
What Are Control Measures?
When you identify a hazard within your organization, the first step is to analyze the risk. If the risk is high, then you need a control measure to reduce risk to acceptable levels.
Any change made to the existing system to reduce risk is a control measure.
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Topics:
3-Safety Assurance
Understanding Proactive Hazard Analysis Process
The best way to recognize and mitigate immediate risks associated with aviation hazards is by using the PAVE checklist to analyze your current safety environment. PAVE is an excellent and expedient flight risk assessment tool (FRAT).
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Topics:
2-Safety Risk Management
Aviation Risk Management Process Based on Reality
The aviation industry is one where the stakes are always high because human life is involved and the "aviation system" is an open system that is impossible to totally control.
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Topics:
2-Safety Risk Management
