Enhancing Aviation Safety: Expert Insights, Tips, and Updates from SMS-Pro

Reviewing Your Human Factors Training Program

When was the last time you took a good look at your Human Factors (HF) course?

Does it strategically focus on the current aviation maintenance problem areas?

Understanding FAA SAS

Flight Standards Service (AFS) Safety Assurance System (SAS) is the new oversight system for 14 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) parts 121, 135 and 145. Ultimately, SAS will be used for other applicable CFR parts.

SAS is not a separate safety standard and does not impose additional requirements on certificate holders;

Managers' Challenge to Realize Meaningful Change

The value of any aviation service provider rests on its ability to adapt quickly by making informed and effective decisions. However, management's decision-making power is only as strong as its underlying data.

Daily SMS Activities May Preclude Routine Review

The new year has started. Business activities are beginning to return to full speed. At full speed, aviation safety managers may be putting out fires. These fires may cause safety teams to look continuously ahead when they should occasionally be looking back.

Ignorance Is No Excuse for Regulatory SMS Noncompliance

Imagine you come to Anchorage to play ping pong at NorthWest Data Solutions' headquarters. You fancy yourself as a pretty good ping pong player, so you are confident that you will not be skunked by NWDS' professional software engineers.

Transparency Is a Philosophical Question

A high level of transparency in aviation safety management systems (SMS) is critical for creating:

• A Just Culture.
• A safety reporting culture.
• A culture of safety.

Do You Understand These Aviation SMS Requirements?

How many of you find reading FAA's Part 5-Safety Management Systems relaxing and enjoyable?

Do you pick up Part 5 during your vacation and say, "Wow, this is so cool!?" Let's enjoy some light reading while I'm watching the kids play in the water.

FAA Part 5 Requirements - Can a Layman Understand This?

The dust has settled since the FAA has released "Safety Management Systems for Domestic, Flag, and Supplemental Operations Certificate Holders." Being an aviation SMS geek, I finally got around to reading it with a critical eye.

Email Remains Popular for Aviation Hazard/Safety Reporting

Many aviation safety managers use email to collect hazard and safety reports. Email serves as an extremely convenient vehicle for employees and stakeholders to communicate safety concerns to safety teams.

What Are Divisions in SMS Pro

This is a question that comes up a lot.

Especially when we start throwing other words into the mix like:

• Departments;
• Portals; and
• Management Portals.

It can get confusing quickly. Many people ask – what’s the difference?