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

How to Use Plan Do Check Act (PDCA) in Aviation Safety Management

Posted by Stu Martin on Dec 18, 2024 6:00:00 AM

What Is Plan Do Check Act (PDCA)

Plan Do Check Act is a simple but effective process to use when implementing risk controls through corrective-preventative actions. The PDCA process is initiated after you discover some deficiency/weakness in your SMS that poses an unacceptable level of safety, such as after an aviation SMS audit, reported safety concern, or trend analysis.

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Topics: 3-Safety Assurance

How to Measure Safety Performance in Aviation SMS

Posted by Christopher Howell on Oct 16, 2024 6:15:00 AM

Why Do We Measure Aviation Safety Performance?

Aviation safety managers are tasked with a Safety Assurance (SA) element labeled "Continuous Improvement." Not many aviation safety management systems (SMS) training courses go into much detail about

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Topics: 3-Safety Assurance

What Are Leading Indicators in Aviation SMS?

Posted by Stu Martin on Sep 25, 2024 6:00:00 AM

What Are Leading Indicators in Safety Programs?

Leading indicators in aviation safety management systems (SMS) are:

  • The “input” of the program;
  • Identify precursors that directly correlate to future performance;
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Topics: 3-Safety Assurance

Aviation Safety Audits 101: Prep and Pass - With Examples and Checklists

Posted by Stu Martin on Jun 12, 2024 5:45:00 AM

High Stakes

Passing aviation safety audits is absolutely critical for safety managers, not to mention the accountable executive who is ultimately responsible for aviation safety management systems (SMS) performance.

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Topics: 3-Safety Assurance

Despite Corruption, IATA Operational Safety Audits Enhance Aviation SMS

Posted by Christopher Howell on May 29, 2024 6:00:00 AM

Aviation Safety Audits Are Not for Just Airlines

Aviation safety managers must be prepared for a never-ending chain of audits. This is a fact of life, whether you are working at:

  • Airlines;
  • Airports;
  • Ground handling companies;
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Topics: 3-Safety Assurance

How to Create an Aviation SMS Audit Plan

Posted by Stu Martin on Apr 10, 2024 6:30:00 AM

What Is an Internal Aviation SMS Audit

An internal aviation safety management system (SMS) audit is a process you use to verify that certain actions are taking place in your SMS.

Audits are a safety assurance activity that is most commonly used to broadly assess whether or not aviation service providers can demonstrate continuous improvement of the SMS.

That being said, you might have different auditing processes for assessing different aspects of your SMS, such as:

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Topics: 3-Safety Assurance

How Often Should You Conduct Aviation SMS Audit

Posted by Stu Martin on Mar 27, 2024 2:30:00 AM

What Is an Internal Aviation SMS Audit

An internal aviation SMS audit is how you evaluate any part of your SMS.

On the one hand, you use such audits to ensure that certain actions are taking place in your SMS, such as SRM operations or continuous improvement.

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Topics: 3-Safety Assurance

8 Tips to Pass Aviation Safety Management System (SMS) Audits

Posted by Christopher Howell on Feb 28, 2024 6:30:00 AM

Why Passing an Aviation SMS Audit Is Critical

Aviation Safety Management Systems (SMS) form the foundation of safe operations, and passing SMS audits is critical for demonstrating compliance with global safety standards while reinforcing an organization’s commitment to safety.

For aviation safety managers, audits are not merely regulatory requirements but opportunities to refine safety practices and build trust with regulators, staff, and passengers.

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Topics: 3-Safety Assurance

Real Difference Between an Aviation Safety Audit vs. Inspection

Posted by Stu Martin on Feb 21, 2024 6:00:00 AM

Interesting Discussion on Audits vs. Inspections

The other day, I had a rather interesting discussion with a couple of seasoned aviation safety managers on the topic of aviation safety audits vs inspections.

It took a while to come to a consensus about the primary differences, as well as the ideological implications of each.

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Topics: 3-Safety Assurance

How to Monitor the Effectiveness of Control Measures

Posted by Stu Martin on Jan 17, 2024 10:59:00 AM

Why You Need to Monitor the Effectiveness of Control Measures

Control measures are the heart of your aviation safety management system’s (SMS) risk mitigation efforts. You may call your "control measures" either:

  • Risk controls; or
  • Simply "controls."
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Topics: 3-Safety Assurance

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