SM4 Safety Articles & Resources

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aircraft engineers discussing jet turbine

Is ChatGPT Ready To Analyze My SMS Portal’s Safety Reports?

While industry experts continue to design the next-gen AI-backed SMS software solution, safety managers can use ChatGPT to help them treat safety issues, audit findings and classify hazards contained in their SMS reporting.

Posted on March 5, 2024
fingers pointing in multiple directions

Leadership, Management and Safety: Embracing Compliance and Conformance Oversight

Aviation operations, and by default, safety, are based on the idea that regulatory requirements are fundamental to establishing a framework to achieve safe operations.

Posted on February 7, 2024
aircraft waiting at hangar

FAR Part 91 Safety – Is It Time for a Wake-Up Call?

The FAR Part 91 sector of aviation has long enjoyed an admirable safety record. Business aviation has always been perceived as a very safe and efficient way to fly.

Posted on February 7, 2024
upset recovery training flight

The Denominator Is not Common

When was the last time you identified the “goods” and “others” of any given event to improve efficiency and effectiveness? If it’s been a while, bring these words back into your daily routine. There is merit in shared experiences and the refinement of small nuances to create significant value. No organization or person in it is perfect.

Posted on January 16, 2024
part of Jupiter taken by the NASA Juno spacecraft

Seeing Is Believing: How Cognitive Bias Impacts Safety Decision-Making

Take a look at the image below. A long-lost Picasso? A ceremonial mask from an aboriginal jungle tribe? Nope. This is a close-up photo of part of Jupiter taken by the NASA Juno spacecraft on 7 September 2023.

Posted on January 16, 2024
Female leading interview with journalists outside.

Aviation Emergency Response and the Media

With recent advancements in technology, the media has become more accessible to everyone, and social media platforms have greatly increased the speed with which information can be shared. As a communication method, the media can be an excellent tool to reach a large audience in a timely manner. However, this ease of access and the nature of modern techniques to drive viewership leads to important considerations in emergency situations.

Posted on December 7, 2023
Group of business people climbing a mountain.

The Flip Side of Psychological Safety

From a human factors perspective, we might be evolving towards a partial power situation. In the evolving landscape of workplace dynamics in pursuit of improved safety, the concept of psychological safety has gained significant traction. It’s the bedrock of an organizational culture that fosters open communication, innovation, and growth.

Posted on December 7, 2023
Aircraft crew meeting passengers.

Passenger Pressure

The vast quantity of knowledge that must be stuffed into a pilot’s head is just one reason only 0.2% of the U.S. population has at least a Private Pilot Certificate. As the ratings grow, the percentages decrease even further. There are a variety of reasons the pilot population is small and dwindling. Having the self-discipline to get all that knowledge into one brain through study, training and experience is daunting and costly. However, once you get paid to fly, it’s all worth it.

Posted on November 9, 2023
Pilot explaining how a flight simulator works to a student during a training session.

Are You Committed to Excellence or Minimum Standards?

When was the last time an aviation colleague asked you (or you asked yourself), “Is this good enough?” And what does “good enough” really mean? In my opinion, the very question constitutes an attitude of mediocrity. The real question for true aviation professionals should be: “Is good enough ever really good enough in any business or private aviation pursuit?” So many times, we use the descriptive phrases “world-class,” “best-in-class” and “excellence.” But do we really mean them, or are they simply “ear candy” because they sound good?

Posted on November 7, 2023