SMS Pro Aviation Safety Software Blog 4 Airlines & Airports

1^st Step to Improve Aviation SMS Training

Improving aviation safety management systems (SMS) training effectiveness is as much about understanding what it is as what it is not.

Misconceptions about aviation SMS training can have wide-ranging negative effects on SMS implementation. This becomes increasingly disturbing when one considers how poor SMS training can destroy a safety culture, which is among the most single important element of every aviation SMS

For example, safety managers who do not understand the best uses for aviation safety training cause:

Why the All Issues by Division Chart Is Important

Aviation safety dashboard charts automatically monitor and present aviation safety management systems (SMS) data to stakeholders, who can then use the information to make fact-based decisions.

Due to increased Internet reliability across the world, dashboard charts have become the most popular for aviation service providers to securely monitor SMS data in real time. The dashboard presents managers and users with visual representations of the aviation SMS' historical performance and alerts users of "noteworthy exceptions" that may require corrective action.

Risk Management Is the Backbone of Aviation SMS

One of the primary foundations of aviation safety management systems (SMS) is the organizational-wide, focused approach towards proactive risk management.

Risk management is a complex process that requires certain tools, behaviors, and conditions to be done effectively.

For example, effective aviation risk management requires:

• Upper management commitment;

What Is Task Management in Aviation Risk Management

Task management in every aviation safety management system (SMS) is extremely important. After all, the accountable executive will be monitoring SMS performance regularly and will be alert for substandard safety performance.

How quickly are safety tasks completed?

How many safety tasks are overdue? And for how many days? And why are these safety tasks overdue?

What Is Safety Culture Really?

"Safety culture" in aviation safety management systems (SMS) is a phrase that gets thrown around a lot and in many types of SMS conversations.

Yet “safety culture” is also a phrase that rarely receives a concise definition, and is often used to convey “a general sense of safety.”

This definition is not good enough. What does safety culture mean to you? Has your perception of safety culture changed within the past five years? Has your definition remained constant? Is there a "best in class" safety culture type?

Aviation SMS Dashboard Charts Monitor SMS Performance

Operators implementing aviation safety management systems (SMS) have common questions early in their SMS implementation. How do I monitor risk to my organization within a particular time period? What report best explains the organization's interactions with:

• operational safety hazards; and
• ineffective risk controls?

What would be a convenient method to display aggregated risk based on assessed safety reports?

Intro Failing to Agree

Many of the most important misconceptions about aviation safety management systems (SMS) revolve around the relationships and resistance that hurts SMS implementation.

Generally, the misconceptions about aviation SMS revolve around differences in attitudes about safety risk management. In such a case, differences in attitudes between two employees generally leave each person feeling that:

• The other person doesn’t value the SMS;

Conforming Aviation SMS Around Struggles

Aviation safety management systems (SMS) are now an FAA requirement for part 121 certificated operators.

Without having a verifiable SMS, operators will face denial of permits and other problems. For organizations that have only lightly dabbled with an SMS and do not have a demonstrable program, they are now tasked with three things:

• Beginning SMS implementation;
• Understanding current struggles impeding successful implementation; and

More Insidious Than Confrontational

Formal aviation safety management systems (SMS) have been continually being implemented across the world for over a dozen years now. Some are successful, while many are not. Failed or under-performing aviation SMS is a concern for account executives and the safety team.

How can management increase the chance of a successful SMS implementation?

Ground Handling Accidents in Aviation Risk Management

A couple of months ago I was sitting on a Boeing 737 jet waiting for the rest of the passengers to board the plane.

My seat was near the front of the aircraft, and I had a central view of ground handling operations. Since I boarded nice and early, I had nothing better to do than sit and observe the bustling of workers, bags, and carts below me.