Gray Stone Advisors - SM4 Safety Articles & Resources
Culture: The Foundation of a Safety Management System (SMS)
Detection vs. Prevention Much has been written about the key elements of a Safety Management System (SMS). According to the FAA, the key components are: Safety Policy – Establishes management’s…
Enhancing the Value of Safety Management Systems Metrics
When it comes to aviation metrics, “What gets measured gets improved.” While this is a seemingly simple statement, the big question is: Are your aviation organization’s safety management system metrics…
Process in the Post-IS-BAO World
Recently, I asked a successful aviation director what the most significant driver of operational performance is in his flight department. He said that the most significant advances in performance were…
Is Your Flight Department Stuck? Create an Operating Plan in 12 Steps
Your flight department is likely very successful, having advanced through the stages of the IS-BAO registration process to Stage 2 or 3. Your safety record is outstanding and you seem…
Why You Need a “Business Aircraft Use Policy”
In today’s era of IS-BAO, most flight departments have a well-defined and documented Flight Operations Manual, which clearly outlines the safe and efficient operation of the aircraft. But many companies…
Key to Success: Business Aviation Performance Benchmarking
No doubt you’ve heard the buzz phrase “best in class” a thousand times. It sounds a bit over-the-top to hear an organization refer to itself as the best at something….
Commitment vs. Compliance: How to get your team from “I have to do it” to “I want do it!”
As a business aviation leader, how do you help each of your team members choose to be totally committed vs. simply being compliant—or worse yet, non-committal or ambivalent? If you…
How to Address the Top 4 Challenges Faced by Most Flight Departments
If your flight department operates one-to-three aircraft, you’re likely facing resource constraints. And depending on how you manage them, they can make or break your operating success. Because a lack…
How Many Flight Crew are Needed to Operate Safely?
The topic of appropriate pilot and flight attendant staffing levels can be a delicate, even emotional, subject. Virtually every business aviation leader struggles with answering: “How many maintenance technicians, pilots…
