Safety Systems (SMS) - SM4 Safety Articles & Resources
Decompression Illness Following Explosive Cabin Depressurization
Decompression illness (DCI) is not just a scuba diving phenomenon. It can also be seen in aviation following a high‐altitude cabin depressurization. DCI occurs when there is a sudden lowering…
Building Safety Management Capacity in Aviation Organizations
Over the last decade, aviation organizations have been preoccupied with implementing safety management systems (SMS), aviation safety action programs (ASAP), flight data monitoring programs (FDM), and other safety initiatives. Many…
Assistance and the Holistic Approach to Aviation Security
Aviation threats and risks don’t only affect high-profile commercial operations. In fact, in some instances the threats may be more acute for smaller aviation organisations, which can operate in more…
Is Your Flight Department Stuck? Create an Operating Plan in 12 Steps
Your flight department is likely very successful, having advanced through the stages of the IS-BAO registration process to Stage 2 or 3. Your safety record is outstanding and you seem…
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…
The Difference Between Safety Risk Profiles and Safety Performance Indicators
A question was recently posted as to the differences between a Safety Risk Profile (SRP) and Safety Performance Indicators (SPIs). The Safety Risk Profile is an evaluation of the perceived…
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…
Vetting and Selecting a Supplemental Lift Provider
Most organizations that own and operate their own aviation assets are not very keen on bringing in an external lift provider. Likely, there are two principal reasons: First, they believe…
Why You Need a “Business Aircraft Use Policy”
In today’s era of IS-BAO, most flight departments have a well-defined and documented Flight Operations Manual, which clearly outlines the safe and efficient operation of the aircraft. But many companies…
