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

Best Practices for Hazard Reporting in Aviation SMS - With Examples

Posted by Stu Martin on Oct 23, 2024 6:00:00 AM

What Are Goals for Best Practices of Hazard Reporting

Knowing best practices for hazard reporting in aviation safety management systems (SMS) is an attempt to better attain the goals of hazard reporting.

What are the goals of hazard reporting?

There are three main objectives:

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Topics: 2-Safety Risk Management

5 Steps to Create Fishbone Diagrams in Aviation SMS

Posted by Stu Martin on Oct 9, 2024 6:00:00 AM

What Is a Fishbone Diagram?

Fishbone diagrams are an excellent risk management tool for the root-cause-focused aviation industry.

If you are wondering how to use fishbone diagrams, you first need to know what a fishbone diagram is.

A fishbone diagram derives its name from its fish-like appearance, with a head and several fins. Each “fin” or “branch” of a fishbone diagram describes a different element of the failure. The head of the fishbone describes the risk.

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Topics: 2-Safety Risk Management

What Are Leading Indicators in Aviation SMS?

Posted by Stu Martin on Sep 25, 2024 6:00:00 AM

What Are Leading Indicators in Safety Programs?

Leading indicators in aviation safety management systems (SMS) are:

  • The “input” of the program;
  • Identify precursors that directly correlate to future performance;
  • Identify technical or organizational weaknesses;
  • Are underlying causes for safety success and failure; and
  • Identify warning signs.
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Topics: 3-Safety Assurance

3 Best Aviation SMS Risk Management Tools: Pros and Cons of Each

Posted by Stu Martin on Sep 18, 2024 6:00:00 AM

What Are the 3 Best Aviation SMS Risk Management Tools?

Aviation safety management systems (SMS) have many required components that must be monitored and documented regularly. Much of this gathered data assists in enhancing operational processes by providing managers with actionable, decision-making value.

To assist with this onerous task, aviation SMS risk management tools are fantastic additions to every SMS repertoire – if you use them.

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Topics: 2-Safety Risk Management

How to Conduct Internal SMS Audits in Aviation Industry

Posted by Stu Martin on Jul 3, 2024 2:03:00 AM

What Are Internal SMS Audits in Aviation, and Why Conduct Them

Internal SMS audits are an extremely important element in verifying the performance of every aviation safety management system (SMS). They’re also a neglected process in a surprisingly large number of smaller operators' SMS risk management schedules.

Just ask yourself, when was the last time you performed an internal audit on your aviation SMS implementation? Let’s also be clear about what we mean when we say “audit”, as this word is thrown around loosely.

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Topics: Quality-Safety Management

Pros and Cons of Fishbone Diagrams in Aviation SMS

Posted by Stu Martin on Jun 19, 2024 6:00:00 AM

What Is a Fishbone Diagram for Aviation Safety Programs

Fishbone diagrams are a lesser known but very effective risk management tool in aviation safety management systems (SMS).

Fishbone diagrams get their name because of their fish-like appearance, with several fins and a head. Each “fin” or “branch” of a fishbone diagram describes a different element of the safety issue, such as “Man” and “Machine.”

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Topics: Risk Management Software

Aviation Safety Audits 101: Prep and Pass - With Examples and Checklists

Posted by Stu Martin on Jun 12, 2024 5:45:00 AM

High Stakes

Passing aviation safety audits is absolutely critical for safety managers, not to mention the accountable executive who is ultimately responsible for aviation safety management systems (SMS) performance.

Their jobs may depend on satisfactorily managing both:

  • The aviation safety audit; and
  • Followup and tracking of corrective actions resulting from the findings.
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Topics: 3-Safety Assurance

8 Stages of Safety Events in Aviation Risk Management Process

Posted by Stu Martin on Jun 5, 2024 6:00:00 AM

Why Understand the Stages of Safety Events?

Understanding the fine lines between various stages of safety events in aviation risk management processes is extremely important.

Aviation safety management systems (SMS) have become so successful if not for the sole reason that they have taken an analytical, systematic approach to risk.

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Topics: 2-Safety Risk Management

What Is a Safety Manager in Aviation Safety Management Systems (SMS)?

Posted by Stu Martin on May 22, 2024 5:45:00 AM

What Is an Aviation Safety Manager in an SMS Program?

The aviation safety manager (SM) is the individual charged with developing, monitoring, and improving the safety management system (SMS) of the service provider.

The safety manager acts as the primary reference point for safety management issues in the organization. Safety professionals must understand risk management processes and much more.

Appointing a safety manager is a crucial step in establishing the SMS' organizational structure and planning for the aviation SMS implementation.

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Topics: 2-Safety Risk Management

What Good Hazard Reporting Process Look Like in Mature Aviation SMS

Posted by Stu Martin on Apr 17, 2024 6:00:00 AM

What Is the Hazard Reporting Process

Simply put, the hazard reporting process is the primary mode of data acquisition in aviation safety management systems (SMS). Being such, a poor hazard reporting process can literally break your SMS. If that sounds unrealistic, it’s not.

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Topics: Aviation SMS Database

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