Safety Regulation - SM4 Safety Articles & Resources

OR
Private Jet Pilots in Cockpit

The Case for Better Standard Operating Procedures

In July 2008, a business jet operating under 14 CFR Part 135 touched down long on landing. In its analysis, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) noted that, recognizing the deteriorating situation, the flight crew attempted a balked landing and initiated a go-around.

Posted on March 31, 2026
mechanics using a laptop and hand tools to work on aircraft

Safety Intelligence Is Business Intelligence

Traditionally, when we think about safety, we think about compliance—adhering to regulations or audit standards. Spending money on formal safety systems is often viewed as an unnecessary expense. After all, the thinking goes, if we haven’t had a serious incident or accident, why spend the money?

Posted on January 13, 2026
Flying drone over field in spring with dramatic sunset clouds

Part 108: The Next Step in BVLOS Integration and Drone Innovation

As the drone industry awaits the Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) forthcoming Part 108 regulations, the landscape of Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) operations stands on the brink of transformation. These anticipated rules aim to standardize BVLOS flights, enabling more complex and expansive drone missions across various sectors.

Posted on May 1, 2025
mechanic working on aircraft in hangar

Aviation Safety—Grounded!

When we talk about aviation safety, our attention often goes to aircraft operational concerns. They are important, but by no means do they represent all the risks in a flight department. So, what’s “the rest of the story”?

Posted on March 5, 2025
Aircraft on snowy runway in mountains

Mitigating Risk – Amidst the Chaos

There have been more high-profile aviation accidents in the last few months than in the last few decades. As we mourn those we have lost and aim not to make assumptions before final reports are completed, we must focus, personally and professionally, on assessing the risk of something similar happening within our aviation enterprises.

Posted on March 5, 2025
check engine lights

Check Engine Light: The Illusion of Program Effectiveness

An aviation company’s responsibility is to ensure regulatory compliance and conformance to its internal policies, procedures and processes, including voluntary standards. To do that, leaders and team members throughout an organization must understand and monitor the “dashboard lights.”

Posted on November 5, 2024
risk management team

Management of Change (MoC): A Collaborative Approach To Raising Awareness Amidst a Constant State of Change

Identifying and managing hazards affecting an operation’s integrity is a fundamental objective of all flight departments or organizations working within a risk-based environment. In aviation, more and more operators are coming to the conclusion, and rightly so, that mere regulatory compliance is not an assurance of operational integrity and safety.

Posted on February 28, 2023
An event is a free lesson... report it!

Safety Reporting: Crewed and Un-Crewed

It’s an exciting time to be part of the expanding UAS industry. It has been a whirlwind to watch the growth from its earliest days until now. Over the next few years, it will continue that evolution and expand in tandem with regulatory standards and guidelines for its safe operation.

Posted on September 6, 2022
woman holding digital tablet in the airport runway

Safety Reporting: An Obligation and Opportunity to Contribute to the Greater Good

Safety in aviation is always a top priority. There are many ways to approach this important task, with the first line of defense being a keen and constant personal awareness of one’s habits, health, skill and environment. But even under the best conditions, sometimes there are still various factors that lead to safety incidents or accidents.

Posted on August 5, 2022