Safety Systems (SMS) - SM4 Safety Articles & Resources
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”?
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.
Data Sharing: The Heartbeat of Safety in the Skies
Flying today is anything but a simple, straightforward path. Pilots have multiple factors to consider for ensuring the safest and most sustainable flight experience.
The Insidious Nature of the Routine
When routine tasks become familiar and are no longer actively assessed for threats, they often are the first link in an error chain that results in a serious mishap. It is natural for crews to become comfortable with seemingly low-risk tasks, allowing complacency and distractions to permeate their focused attention.
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.”
Gaining Insight Into the Living DNA of a Safety Management System
Managing safety culture is like baking bread. It is a living organism, and no matter how you measure the ingredients and bake it, each loaf has its own unique shape, color and crumb. However, a multidimensional safety culture survey can be a vital tool for periodic assessment and improvement.
Cognitive Overload in Aviation Training: Understanding and Mitigating Risks
If we look through a microscope at the elements of “safety”, we see things that are often hidden. We secretly know that the rules don’t matter as much as the attitude of the company and the person using them. The reality is that the rules are simply a benchmark to form a circle of safety parameters around an organization to establish the minimum level of safety.
FAR Part 91 Safety – What You Can Do Right Now
In a previous article (“FAR Part 91 Safety—Is It Time for a Wake-Up Call?”), we provided insights from 19 current directors of aviation about the state of safety in the…
The Effects of a Learning Mindset on Safety Culture
As aviation departments strive to enhance their safety performance, a critical yet often overlooked element is the need to foster a learning-culture mindset. This mindset shift can unlock invaluable opportunities for continuous improvement, employee engagement and creating a resilient safety environment. From a behavioral management perspective, as your company’s learning culture goes, so goes the ongoing success of your SMS.
