SMS Pro Aviation Safety Software Blog 4 Airlines & Airports

5 Most Important Things to Know Before Buying Aviation SMS Database

Posted by Christopher Howell on Dec 6, 2018 10:00:00 AM

I Don't Need an Aviation SMS Database... or Do I?

Many aviation service providers today are researching features and capabilities to acquire databases to address documentation requirements of their aviation safety management system (SMS). Alternatively, these operators are not looking to acquire an SMS database, but to:

  1. learn how to design an SMS database in-house; or
  2. cobble together single-point solutions to satisfy SMS regulators.

Why are aviation SMS databases important?

Read More

Topics: Aviation SMS Database

Top Charts and Tools to Help With Risk Analysis in Aviation SMS

Posted by Tyler Britton on Dec 5, 2018 4:59:00 AM

Purpose of Risk Analysis

In aviation SMS, you analyze risk to break an issue down into individual, controllable parts. Based on your analysis, you can assess the safety issue, and understand both what actions need to be taken, and what safety factors need to be better controlled.

During risk analysis, the issue should be broken down into the following parts:

  • What the issue in question is – is the reported issue a hazard, a negative outcome, etc.
Read More

Topics: 3-Safety Assurance

Safety Chart: Learning Who Is (or Isn't) Involved in Your Aviation SMS

Posted by Tyler Britton on Dec 4, 2018 5:55:00 AM

Knowing Who Is Involved in Your Aviation SMS

For every aviation safety management system (SMS), the accountable executive must ensure the SMS is properly implemented and performing in all areas of the organization. To achieve this end, safety management teams work to ensure that all personnel participate in the aviation SMS.

Wishes and reality are two different ideas. The reality is that most employees care about the SMS as much as the company's traditional safety program.

Read More

Topics: Risk Management Software

7 Tips Safety Managers Use to Manage Change in Aviation SMS

Posted by Tyler Britton on Dec 2, 2018 4:28:00 AM

Environment Always Changes

Change is an inevitable and constant reality in the aviation industry. A lack of change is tantamount to a lack of growth in an economy.

Likewise, if your aviation safety management system (SMS) is not changing, it’s not improving. "Continuous improvement of the SMS" is the third element of the "Safety Assurance" pillar of ICAO-compliant SMS.

Read More

Topics: 2-Safety Risk Management

How to Optimize Risk Management Processes for Aviation SMS

Posted by Doug Walker on Dec 1, 2018 5:51:00 AM

What Is an SMS Risk Control Process?

A risk control process for an aviation safety management system (SMS) entails a series of risk management tasks that are executed whenever:

  • Hazards are identified;
  • An event has occurred (accident, incident, irregularity); or
  • An audit finding is uncovered (internal as well as external audits).
Read More

Topics: Aviation SMS Implementation

From Reactive to Proactive Hazard Identification in Aviation SMS

Posted by Doug Walker on Nov 30, 2018 5:42:00 AM

Proactive Hazard Identification Saves Lives

Every aviation operation endures varying levels of risk, depending on ever-changing environmental conditions.

The operating environment never remains constant.

No two operations are identical.

Certain factors will always interject uncertainty and risk into the operation, including:

  • Human;
  • Equipment; and
Read More

Topics: 2-Safety Risk Management

How to Review Aviation SMS Safety Policies - Free Checklist

Posted by Doug Walker on Nov 29, 2018 4:53:00 AM

Aviation Safety Policies Require Review, Didn't You Know?

Safety managers are busy people. After all, they are constantly ensuring SMS documentation requirements are appropriately managed for all four pillars of the aviation safety management system (SMS).

It's easy to let something slip by if there are no mechanisms in place for quality assurance for your aviation SMS.

What does it mean to review the aviation SMS' safety policy?

How is this done?

Read More

Topics: 1-Safety Policy

How to Assign Severity and Likelihood to Issues When Assessing Risk

Posted by Tyler Britton on Nov 28, 2018 4:36:00 AM

What Is a Risk Assessment

A risk assessment is a method you use to rank the risk of safety issues. You will commonly perform risk assessments on reported safety issues and other identified hazards. Assessments are integral to helping you establish whether or not a given issue is within an Acceptable Level of Safety.

Risk assessments use a risk matrix to create composite number/letter grades based on:

Read More

Topics: 3-Safety Assurance

How to Earn Top Management Support for Aviation SMS

Posted by Christopher Howell on Nov 27, 2018 6:31:00 AM

Safety Manager Communicates With Upper Management

Aviation safety managers are faced with particular challenges stemming from:

Read More

Topics: Aviation SMS Implementation

How to Reduce Aviation SMS Risk When Safety Managers Quit

Posted by Christopher Howell on Nov 25, 2018 5:56:00 AM

Aviation Safety Managers Key SMS Personnel

Without fail, every aviation safety manager I have met has the following attributes:

  • Resourceful;
  • Very hard working;
  • Dedicated to the company and task;
  • Articulate; and
  • Competitive.
Read More

Topics: 2-Safety Risk 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.

 

 

Benefits of SMS Pro Database

Affordable, Basic Compliance for Small Aviation Service Providers

Best Practices for Aviation SMS

 

Watch SMS Pro Demo Videos

These two on-demand videos offer:

  • High-level overview of SMS Pro;
  • Hazard Reporting & Risk Management walk-through.
Watch SMS Pro Demo Videos
 
 
 
 

Subscribe to Email Updates

Recent Posts