SMS Pro Aviation Safety Software Blog 4 Airlines & Airports

Aviation SMS Provides Structure to Safety Initiatives

An aviation safety management system (SMS) provides service providers with risk management processes that are:

• Globally accepted by the aviation industry;
• Structured and documented to ensure repeatability;
• Implemented organization-wide; and 
• Monitored internally and often externally to assure compliance.

These structured, repeatable processes are custom-designed to satisfy each company's "operational risk profile (ORP). An ORP is a list of hazards, risks and mitigation measures unique to a certain operator based on their aviation industry segment, size and operating theater (where they operate).

Accountable Executives' SMS Nightmare

In most cases, aviation safety managers are:

• Dedicated;
• Hard-working;
• Resourceful; and
• Excellent communicators.

I Thought I Knew the Difference between Hazard and Risk

Quickly, look at the picture at the right.

What is the "hazard?"

What is the "risk?"

I consider myself well-educated with a college education.

I understand English, as it is my first language.

Before I was dragged into the aviation safety management system world in early 2007, I really never considered hazards and risks very deeply. Back in my pre-SMS days, electrical hazard and electrical risk were synonymous.

ICAO Defines Interfaces in Aviation Operations

"Safety risks faced by service providers are affected by interfaces.

Interfaces can be either internal (e.g. between departments) or external (e.g. other service providers or contracted services,).

By identifying and managing these interfaces the service provider will have more control over any safety risks related to the interfaces."

ICAO Safety Management Manual (SMM), Document 9859 4th edition

Interfaces' Importance in Aviation SMS

What Are Interfaces in Aviation Operations?

Besides the expected airlines and airport operations, the interacting relationships across modern airports encompass many aviation industry segments, including:

• Ground handling companies;
• Fixed based operators (FBOs);
• AMOs;
• Security operations;
• Air traffic control;
• Charter operators; and
• Private operators.

Why Being a Safety Manager Is Tough

Being an aviation safety officer is an often unrewarding and challenging job. In many ways, an aviation safety manager is like a professional plate spinner balancing delicate interests and priorities, such as:

• Gaining management support for safety programs
• Overcoming resistance to change from management and general workforce
• Upholding transparency and Just Culture
• Maintaining objectivity

What Is a Flight Risk Assessment Tool

A flight risk assessment tool, commonly known as FRAT, is a very important element of your SMS program.

Every flight has risks and hazards.

Using a FRAT tool helps airline SMS programs evaluate review and identify those risks. Based on this FRAT review process, safety programs can develop mitigation strategies.

A FRAT tool contains a list of various questions. Each question has a “risk level” attached to it. Counting up the risk level of each question will provide the total risk assessment score for the flight.

How Much Risk Are You Taking On?

How much risk are you willing to accept?

This is one of the most critical questions that every aviation service provider needs to answer. The answer will influence every single risk management activity in the operator's aviation safety management system (SMS).

What is your risk appetite? Not surprisingly, our risk of appetite changes based on a variety of factors that require constant monitoring, including:

• Competition;

Winter Is Coming - Move Fatigue Upward in Hazard Register

The Northern Hemisphere is blanketed in winter, which involves, cold, ice, many long nights and grey days.

For human fatigue that means two things:

• More melatonin production
• Seasonal depression

Winter fatigue is a real, medically proven problem that affects many people.