Safety Regulation - SM4 Safety Articles & Resources
The Bedrock of Aviation—Standard Operating Procedures… Consider the Variables!
Aviation is all about standard operating procedures and their more-beloved acronym “SOP.” With the current COVID-19 pandemic and its impact on staffing levels, operators have had to make some hard decisions, whose impact may not be readily apparent. This article illuminates the risk in assuming SOPs are, in fact, standards.
The Journey to the New Normal: is Your Organization Prepared to Resume Operations?
In hindsight, it is fair to say that the world was ill‐prepared to cope with the COVID‐19 pandemic. Although not commeasurable to the Black Death of the 14th century or…
Preparing for and Understanding Remote ID
Over the last decade, Civil Aviation Authorities worldwide have had to tackle the challenge of integrating unmanned aircraft into traditional airspace systems. As drones have increased in popularity, it has…
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…
Aviation Operations in the Year of the Coronavirus
During these uncertain times, employers are relying on their internal programs to assure employees and customers alike that operations can and will be conducted in a safe manner but with…
Working to Assure System Safety
Managing a flight department today requires teamwork to assure compliance with the multitude of regulations impacting the conduct of operations and to assure conformance to corporate policies, voluntary standards, and…
Are you Ready for Thermal-Runaway?
Thermal runaway has been on our radar for a while, as you will surely remember the Japan Airlines B-787 that caught fire while sitting on the ramp in 2013. Thus…
Do You Think You’re Ready? An Inside Look at Gaining the Most Benefit From an Audit
After a recent independent operational safety audit conducted on a high-profile flight department, the director of aviation commented that he and his team learned more about their “books” and contents…
Doing Something is Better Than Doing Nothing…Or is It?
There is an old saying, “Doing something is better than doing nothing.” However, doing “something” isn’t always the best or correct thing to do. Circumstances are situational and require different…
