Enhancing Aviation Safety: Expert Insights, Tips, and Updates from SMS-Pro

Stu Martin

Stu Martin is an accomplished aerospace safety engineer with over 25 years of experience in the aviation industry. Beginning his career on the ramp, Stu developed a hands-on understanding of aircraft operations, maintenance, and safety protocols. His journey from ground operations to engineering has equipped him with a unique perspective on aviation safety, blending practical expertise with technical rigor. Stu has contributed to numerous safety initiatives, including the development of risk assessment frameworks and incident investigation protocols, earning recognition for his commitment to enhancing operational safety. A respected voice in the field, he continues to advocate for robust safety cultures within aviation organizations worldwide.
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Recent Posts

5 Things to Know About Aviation SMS Human Factors

Posted by Stu Martin on Jun 1, 2021 6:00:00 AM

1 - What Are Aviation SMS Human Factors

Human Factors in aviation SMS identify the motivating factors behind common human behaviors that pose risk.

For example, Fatigue is a common Human Factor that hinders one’s ability to make good decisions, perform common tasks, and identify hazards – all of which pose risks to a program.

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Topics: 1-Safety Policy

5 Mistakes That Cripple Aviation Safety Management Systems (SMS)

Posted by Stu Martin on May 25, 2021 6:00:00 AM

Identifying Mistakes Aviation SMS Implementations

Successful aviation safety programs are self-conscious. That is, safety management teams are extremely sensitive to potential pitfalls and work hard to avoid needless mistakes.

Of course, in the real-world practice of safety management,

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Topics: 2-Safety Risk Management

Safety Chart: Stay on Top of Aviation Safety Promotion With SMS Newsletters

Posted by Stu Martin on May 6, 2021 6:00:00 AM

See Your Aviation Safety Promotion Timeline

Aviation safety promotion is all about creating interest and mindfulness about safety behavior. And repeating without end...

More broadly, safety promotion is a method of shifting stakeholders' focus of their aviation safety management system (SMS) resources and processes towards a safety mindset.

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Topics: 4-Safety Promotion

How to Conduct Root Cause Analysis in Aviation SMS

Posted by Stu Martin on Apr 29, 2021 6:02:00 AM

Purpose of Root Cause Analysis

Aviation safety managers usually have different opinions about exactly what root cause analysis is.

Root cause analysis activities for one safety manager may not align with the risk management processes practiced by another. This is because, in aviation safety management systems (SMS), there is no standard definition for what root cause analysis is.

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Topics: 3-Safety Assurance

5 Most Important Ways to Integrate Aviation SMS and QMS

Posted by Stu Martin on Apr 22, 2021 5:58:00 AM

Why Integrate Aviation SMS and QMS

Historically, quality management systems and traditional safety programs have been managed separately. With the advent of modern safety management systems (SMS), there is an opportunity to develop synergies between the two systems.

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Topics: 3-Safety Assurance

4 Things You Must Understand About Leading Indicators in Aviation Safety Management

Posted by Stu Martin on Apr 13, 2021 6:14:00 AM

What Are Leading Indicators in Aviation Safety Management?

Mark my words: before long leading indicators in aviation safety management will be ubiquitous in nearly every aviation safety management system (SMS). I say this for several compelling reasons:

  • Leading indicators maximize your ability to tap into existing aviation safety performance data;
  • They give unparalleled access to information;
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Topics: 2-Safety Risk Management

8 Aviation Leading Indicators That Successful SMS Measure

Posted by Stu Martin on Apr 8, 2021 6:23:00 AM

Why Successful SMS Live by Aviation Leading Indicators

Aviation leading indicators are aviation safety data put to best use. They are designed to identify precursors to good/bad safety performance and uncover what goes into the program that dictates success or failure.

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Topics: 3-Safety Assurance

What Is an Aviation Safety Database for SMS Implementations?

Posted by Stu Martin on Apr 6, 2021 5:55:00 AM

Aviation Safety Database Saves Considerable Resources

An aviation safety database is not simply an improvement over spreadsheets. The database completely overhauls the way you interact with safety information in an aviation safety management system (SMS). An SMS database is a proper technology to manage an aviation SMS for operators with:

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Topics: 3-Safety Assurance

How to Do Bowtie Analysis in Aviation SMS – 5 Step Walkthrough

Posted by Stu Martin on Apr 1, 2021 5:58:00 AM

Purpose of Bowtie Analysis in Aviation SMS

Bowtie analysis is one of the best aviation risk management tools to communicate risk and demonstrate commitment to safety.

Although not universally shared, I've seen that about 10% of smaller operators in the 100 to 500 employee range believe that bowtie is

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Topics: 2-Safety Risk Management

QMS Programs vs Aviation Safety Management Systems (SMS)

Posted by Stu Martin on Mar 30, 2021 6:00:00 AM

Goals of an Aviation SMS

We know that aviation safety management is a system of safety management activities.

Policies, processes, and procedures are created to systematically approach

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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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