Safety Training - SM4 Safety Articles & Resources

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ground crew signaling the pilot with marshalling wands at airport

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.

Posted on February 7, 2025
pilot in cockpit

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.

Posted on October 1, 2024
woman with megaphone at demonstration

Preparedness and Protocols for Encountering Protests and Demonstrations

Civil unrest, workforce strikes and political demonstrations present unique safety elements for our global mobile aviation industry. Business aviation, despite a very low collective carbon footprint and many significant contributions to green energy initiatives, is unfairly and increasingly targeted by protestors.

Posted on August 8, 2024
aircraft waiting at hangar

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…

Posted on August 8, 2024
aircraft flying through bad weather

Understanding the Challenge of Turbulence-Related Injuries in Business Aviation

The challenge of managing air turbulence in business and private aviation is becoming increasingly evident due to the growing number of turbulence-related incidents affecting aircraft operators across the industry.

Posted on April 3, 2024
fingers pointing in multiple directions

Leadership, Management and Safety: Embracing Compliance and Conformance Oversight

Aviation operations, and by default, safety, are based on the idea that regulatory requirements are fundamental to establishing a framework to achieve safe operations.

Posted on February 7, 2024
aircraft waiting at hangar

FAR Part 91 Safety – Is It Time for a Wake-Up Call?

The FAR Part 91 sector of aviation has long enjoyed an admirable safety record. Business aviation has always been perceived as a very safe and efficient way to fly.

Posted on February 7, 2024
upset recovery training flight

The Denominator Is not Common

When was the last time you identified the “goods” and “others” of any given event to improve efficiency and effectiveness? If it’s been a while, bring these words back into your daily routine. There is merit in shared experiences and the refinement of small nuances to create significant value. No organization or person in it is perfect.

Posted on January 16, 2024
part of Jupiter taken by the NASA Juno spacecraft

Seeing Is Believing: How Cognitive Bias Impacts Safety Decision-Making

Take a look at the image below. A long-lost Picasso? A ceremonial mask from an aboriginal jungle tribe? Nope. This is a close-up photo of part of Jupiter taken by the NASA Juno spacecraft on 7 September 2023.

Posted on January 16, 2024