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

How to Implement SRM Process in Aviation SMS [With Free Checklist]

Posted by Stu Martin on Aug 22, 2018 4:25:00 AM

What Is Safety Risk Management Process

Your Safety Risk Management process is how you design your SMS.

First you design and document your SMS, and then update it as your SMS and/or environment changes.

Developing your SRM process, and in turn, designing your SMS happens largely in Phase 3 of aviation SMS Implementation.

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Topics: 2-Safety Risk Management

3 Top Topics for Aviation SMS Training to Focus On

Posted by Stu Martin on Aug 16, 2018 6:00:00 AM

Reduce Resistance to Change Through Aviation SMS Training Courses

Reducing resistance to change in aviation safety management systems (SMS) is not often associated with safety training. But when safety managers know the right topics for aviation SMS training and pursue those topics effectively, a natural consequence is:

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Topics: 3-Safety Assurance

What the SMS Human Factor Lack of Awareness Is (With Free Newsletter Resource)

Posted by Stu Martin on Aug 8, 2018 4:13:00 AM

What Is the Human Factor Lack of Awareness

The Human Factor Lack of Awareness is the “dead end” that many other Human Factors lead to. It happens when you are:

  • Stressed out;
  • Tired and fatigued;
  • Under pressure; and
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Topics: 4-Safety Promotion

Spreadsheets vs Software for Aviation Safety Management

Posted by Stu Martin on Aug 7, 2018 4:36:00 AM

Spreadsheet-Based SMS or Software-Based SMS

Running a spreadsheet-based SMS or upgrading to a software-based SMS is a decision that companies are increasingly having to make a choice upon. A majority of aviation safety management systems are spreadsheet-based. If you are a safety manager, your SMS is probably based on spreadsheets.

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Topics: Risk Management Software

How to Regain Control of Your Aviation SMS

Posted by Stu Martin on Jul 30, 2018 4:17:00 AM

What Is It Like to Lose Control of Your Aviation SMS

Losing control of your aviation SMS is largely a product of feeling overwhelmed by all the actions, documentation, and tasks required to implement and monitor safety.

While it is possible for safety culture to erode over time, to the point where the SMS does not perform well,

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Topics: Aviation SMS Implementation

How to Document Your System Processes in Aviation SMS

Posted by Stu Martin on Jul 25, 2018 4:10:00 AM

What Is a System in Aviation SMS

First of all, a system is simply a logical, separate part or "entity" within the overall scope of your company that includes things like:

  • Its own set of procedures, tasks, etc.
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Topics: 1-Safety Policy

Top Factors That Influence Risk Tolerance

Posted by Stu Martin on Jul 16, 2018 5:02:00 AM

What Is Risk Tolerance

Risk tolerance is simply how much risk you are willing to accept in a given activity, task, situation, etc.

High-risk tolerance is not good.

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Topics: Safety Culture

When Your SMS Becomes Too Much to Handle

Posted by Stu Martin on Jul 9, 2018 4:38:00 AM

What Is Too Much to Handle

We talk with aviation safety professionals and business executives every day about their struggles with implementing and managing an SMS.

Inevitably, all aviation safety programs will reach a point of growth where it is getting too much to handle.

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Topics: Aviation SMS Implementation

How to Change Toxic Safety Cultures in Aviation SMS

Posted by Stu Martin on Jul 4, 2018 4:01:00 AM

What Is Safety Culture in Aviation SMS

Aviation safety cultures are the attitudes, behaviors, and actions that drive safety performance in your SMS.

Safety culture includes how management supports safety, and what front-line employees do when no one is watching.

There are different aspects of safety culture that, together,

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Topics: Safety Culture

How to Practice Due Diligence in Aviation Safety

Posted by Stu Martin on Jul 2, 2018 4:15:00 AM

What Does It Mean to Practice Due Diligence

Two general aspects of safety management systems encompass due diligence of the entire SMS: SMS design and actual safety operations.

Practicing due diligence means ensuring that the design closely matches reality.

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Topics: Quality-Safety Management

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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