Safety Regulation - SM4 Safety Articles & Resources

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Standard operating procedure spray painted on road

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.

Posted on October 30, 2020
Technicians studying blueprints in hangar

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…

Posted on April 29, 2020
Drone flying in front of airplane

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…

Posted on March 26, 2020
Waves crashing into rocks

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…

Posted on March 26, 2020
Man wearing face mask waiting for luggage

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…

Posted on March 23, 2020
Several planes waiting in line to takeoff

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…

Posted on March 4, 2019
Emergency crews tending to aircraft on runway

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…

Posted on October 5, 2018
Group of coworkers working at table

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…

Posted on May 9, 2018
Plane flying in clouds during sunset

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…

Posted on August 7, 2017