Aviation Safety Management Systems

Safety management refers to the application of a set of principles, frameworks, measures, and processes to prevent injuries, accidents, and other negative consequences that the usage of a product or service might cause. According to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), having a safety management system (SMS) is mandatory and forms an integral part of an air carrier’s certification. In recent years, the technology used in aviation safety management systems has evolved.

Safety management systems aim to help air carriers comply with regulatory requirements created by different global agencies. In response to the need for better safety, agencies like the International Air Transport Association (IATA), International Civil Aviation Organization, and FAA continually seek to improve safety regulations. Many organizations and air carriers have incorporated the safety requirements set by these regulations into their SMS.

Aviation organizations are using the latest IATA Operational Safety Audit programs or Air Transportation Oversight System checklists. Organizations are also updating their documentation and procedures as per the latest FAA guidelines. With the evolution of safety management systems, organizations and carriers can now directly gather vital "feeds" from the updated regulatory requirements in real time. This facilitates the ability to respond to changes in regulations and rules faster and keep safety management systems current.

Risk management is critical for improving aviation safety. In the traditional risk management model, the reliance was on historical data. However, with airlines, the availability of historical data cannot be relied upon to shape risk management, as incidences (accidents) are few. Thus there is a shortage of data to formulate or project a good risk picture. The bow tie model suits the needs of the industry in this regard.

The bow tie model is a well-thought-out approach to risk management and identification that focuses on causal linkages between sources, or factors leading to an event, and consequences (risk) and controls. Organizations are employing the bowtie methodology to derive preventive and control measures by examining the potential causes and risks linked to a particular occurrence. The model is also becoming increasingly common when planning for unforeseen risks.

The aviation industry continues to evolve and innovate. A notable development has been the increasing uptake of digital technology and composite materials in aircraft design and building. Many of these emerging technologies have boosted aviation safety management systems through better cockpit instrumentation displays and the use of computers in fly-by-wire systems.

However, technology adoption has also come with an increased potential for creating unanticipated outcomes and consequences. Previously, pilots had minimal data at hand to guide their actions and relied on their instruments to steer a craft. Today, on the other hand, the sheer amount of information available to a pilot can be overwhelming. While modern “glass cockpit” technology has improved visual awareness for pilots, several concerns have been raised.

The 2009 loss of Air France flight 447, which was carrying 228 people, is a case in point. Investigations into the accident concluded that the crew got confused by the instrumentation, leading to inappropriate action when the plane encountered turbulence over the Atlantic Ocean during a thunderstorm. The 2013 Asiana crash also raised concerns over pilots’ reliance on automation.