SMS Pro Aviation Safety Software Blog 4 Airlines & Airports

A Culture of Respect

In order to understand the idea of safety culture within the aviation industry, we must first understand the respect attributed to:

• Pilots;
• Mechanics;
• Controllers;
• Dispatchers; and
• All others needed to make the system function.

Thoughtfully Conduct Bowtie Analysis in Aviation SMS

Aviation safety management systems (SMS) focus strongly on:

• hazard identification,
• risk analysis and assessment;
• development and monitoring of risk controls; and
• continuous improvement of the SMS.

As a means to achieving that end, it’s becoming increasingly clear that bowtie analysis has become a popular risk management tool in aviation SMS.

Aviation Safety Culture Is Not a Concept

As I’ve discussed before, “safety culture” gets thrown around rather loosely in the aviation industry.

"Safety culture" is the kind of thing that is vitally important, but so undernourished in terms of actually discussing what it means and what it looks like, that you sort of roll your eyes and with a wink and a nod say, “Oh yea... safety culture.”

Aviation Risk Management Is More Than Data and Processes

In most aviation safety management systems (SMS), the single most important factor for superior risk management capabilities often, unfortunately, receives the least attention: a mature safety risk culture – which we can confidently say is the collective risk management attitude of an organization.

Experience and research tell us that the risk attitude of employees significantly influences whether an aviation SMS delivers the level of safety that it promises.

Aviation SMS Encourage Safe Behavior

The FAA's requirement of many aviation service providers to create a formal aviation Safety Management System (SMS) stretches far beyond the realm of immediate safety concerns.

FAA not only recognized the value of an SMS to help keep aviation service providers safe on an ongoing basis, but to also pave the way for future improvements that can shape aviation in the long run.

SMS are designed to proactively encourage safe behavior throughout an organization.

Saving Money Implementing Aviation SMS

Not all aviation service providers are created equal.

• Charter operators;
• Airlines and airports;
• Aviation maintenance organizations (AMO);
• Flight schools; or
• FBOs.

Aviation SMS in Flight Schools Benefits Everyone

When I first forayed into the aviation industry, the first thing I learned was that the aviation industry is far more than simply flying.

While flight schools' primary goals are to prepare future pilots to be successful, a critical part of that success includes safety.

When it comes to how flight schools can use aviation safety management systems (SMS), there are 2 things to consider.

First, by their very nature, flight schools operate with considerable, daily risk.

A Different Look at Aviation SMS Human Factors

I’ve never much cared for the phrase “Human Factors.”

It has a negative edge to it that unfortunately has tended to bleed into the mindset of many aviation SMS implementations as the “Human Problem” - the thing that needs to be fixed. Just look at the fact that the 12 Human Factors are called "The Dirty Dozen.”

When Human Factors in aviation SMS are viewed as a problem to be controlled, the natural result is to focus on rule-based, prescriptive methods of containing the risk that humans pose.

Starting With Safety Culture From the Beginning

Safety culture in the aviation industry has many forms.

For me, however, I know it as one very rigid form.

Being an Aircrew Flight Equipment Specialist in the Air Force, there can be no mistakes. For me, indoctrination in safety culture started in technical school with the cadre constantly reminding us that our job will save the lives of the pilots and aircrew under our charge.

One of my instructors shared a story, which to this day sticks with me every time I pack a parachute.

The FAA SAS Profile for

As you may already know from our previous post, our FAA SAS Profile provides the collection of tools that aviation safety professionals need for assessing their certificates' safety assurance requirements.

Our SAS Profile tool can help:

• Accountable Executives and Compliance officers of certificate holders;
• FAA Inspectors; and
• Aviation Consultants.