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

FAA Part 5 Safety Policy Documentation Compliance

FAA Part 5 compliance for Safety Policy is largely the concern of new aviation SMS implementations for Part 121 operators.

An aviation safety management system (SMS) is logically broken up into components and elements. This logical arrangement makes it easier for safety professionals to organize multiple subsystems within a large, interrelated system of elements.

Safety Policy Greatly Affects Safety Culture and Safety Performance

"Safety Policy" is a major asset for building an effective safety culture in aviation safety management systems (SMS). An aviation SMS is a complex system of interrelated components and elements,

Plan Continuation Bias for the Layman

Several years ago NASA analyzed pilots' actions from 19 airline accidents from the viewpoint of "real-time" - i.e. during the flight and without hindsight bias. NASA found that the primary cause of the accidents was something they called "plan continuation bias."

For those of you who aren't unfamiliar with this concept, the premise is this: when you have "someplace to get to" you tend to ignore your environment.

What Is Documentation in Aviation SMS?

In November 2006, the International Civil Aviation Authority (ICAO) mandated that all member states implement formal aviation safety management systems (SMS).

Aviation Safety Managers Start With Something

When artists paint on a blank canvas, it allows them to start with nothing and creatively turn it into something. This allows the artist to create a picture without having to change or modify a picture that already exists.

When implementing a Safety Management System (SMS), most Safety Managers do not have the luxury of starting with a blank canvas;

Org Charts Help to Define Accountabilities in Aviation SMS

Safety accountabilities in aviation safety management systems (SMS) implementations outline the bureaucratic structure of organizational safety expectations. Defining accountabilities has the ultimate goal of clearly communicating:

The Concept of Management Commitment in Aviation SMS Programs

Management’s commitment to aviation safety management systems (SMS) is an extremely important part of the Four Pillar’s Safety Policy component.

SMS Implementation Guidance Still Needed

Over a dozen years (Nov 2006) have passed since ICAO issued its first mandate requiring member states to implement formal, structured aviation safety management systems (SMS).

Aviation Safety Leadership Is NOT Safety Management

Effective leadership is crucial in aviation safety, with key figures such as

• Accountable Executives,
• Department Heads,
• Safety Champions, and
• Safety Managers

These leaders each play an important role contributing to a safety culture where safety cannot be ignored.

Purpose of Duties and Responsibilities in Aviation SMS

Duties and responsibilities in aviation SMS outline what each role will be accountable for and its core tasks. Each role will have unique tasks and accountabilities. You assign duties and responsibilities to an employee by assigning him/her a role. Duties and responsibilities allow your organization to:

• Manage company expectations of employees;
• Ensure employees understand what is expected of them; and