Safety Systems (SMS) - 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.
Making your Risk Assessment Tool a STAR
Mention the acronym GUMPS to just about any fixed wing pilot and watch their eyes move upward and to the right. Their neurolinguistics are probably showing you they are visually remembering: gas, undercarriage, mixture, props and safety. It is a tried-and-true mental checklist and litany that has served, and saved, many a pilot
Empirical Safety Data Finally Emerges Regarding Masks and Face Coverings. It May Not Be What You Expected.
More than six months have now passed since the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) became an international household word. Paradoxically, only until recently has any demonstrable evidence surfaced to evaluate the recommendations coming from the health community.
The “New Normal” in Aviation Safety
Much is being written these days about the shifting of “normalcy,”’ given the global COVID-19 pandemic. What we have come to understand as “normal” in business aviation today has changed dramatically in just a few short months.
Reimagining Mastery Through Anaheim Peppers
Downtime used to be hard to come by. Remember just a couple of months ago when the pace of operations prevented us from doing all we needed to just to…
A Safety Manager’s Mantra: Share Selflessly and Steal Shamelessly
I have been fortunate to have advanced my safety management career while working for one of the nation’s commercial airlines during their pre-911 era. While carriers competed for market share…
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…
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…
