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

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

What Is Aviation Safety Manager Burnout?

Posted by Stu Martin on Jan 20, 2021 6:00:00 AM

Burnout: The Career Plague

Burnout is especially common in the aviation safety industry. I’ve seen it happen to young and older safety managers. I’ve seen it happen to safety managers who were early and late in their safety careers.

Burnout is not picky about whom it possesses, meaning that the burnout scope of victims naturally exceeds aviation safety professionals.

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Aviation SMS Surveys - Most Neglected Safety Promotion Tool

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

The Creative: Interesting Surveys and Promotion

Unfortunately, safety culture surveys are often not high on the priority list of aviation safety management system (SMS) implementations. And judging by surveys that I have seen, they are often written with the candor and creativity of a Driver’s Education Manual.

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Topics: 4-Safety Promotion

How to Develop Healthy Safety Reporting Cultures in Aviation SMS

Posted by Stu Martin on Dec 9, 2020 6:00:00 AM

Making It Personal

Every continuously improving safety program will fail when employees are not involved in identifying and reporting safety hazards. Getting workers to participate in their aviation safety management system (SMS) is all about making the SMS personal. People care more about things that are directly involved and matter to them.

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Topics: 4-Safety Promotion

4 Advantages Safety Managers Acquire Using Aviation SMS Software

Posted by Stu Martin on Nov 3, 2020 6:00:00 AM

No Comparison to Pushing Paper by Hand

Most of us grew up using good old-fashioned pen and paper for just about everything. In fact, for most things, I still prefer it over using my phone or computer.

It’s quick, it’s natural, it’s something we can touch and feel.

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Topics: Risk Management Software

Why Safety Promotion Requires More Focus in Aviation SMS

Posted by Stu Martin on Sep 14, 2020 6:15:00 AM

Adequate Safety Promotion Is Scarce in Most Aviation SMS

Like safety training, safety promotion in aviation safety management systems (SMS) is wrought with rigid material that screams in so many ways, “tune me out!”

Much of the safety promotion information doled out at workplaces looks more like an IKEA how-to manual than serving as a tool to make employees cheer for,

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Topics: 4-Safety Promotion

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