WASHINGTON D.C. October 16, 2023 – Time, money and resources are all luxuries that aviation safety managers typically lack when it comes to implementing and maintaining a robust safety management system, as well as other programs, such as Flight Data Monitoring and safety reporting. That’s why the Air Charter Safety Foundation (acsfdev.com) is launching a brand-new Member Assistance Program (MAP) at this week’s NBAA Business Aviation Convention and Exhibition (#NBAA2023) in Las Vegas. The ACSF’s MAP is a tailor-made aviation-safety coaching, mentoring and training program to help aviation organizations on their “Pathway to Safety.”
ACSF’s President, Bryan Burns, describes the “Pathway to Safety” model as a nonstop journey, with key milestones along the way toward incessant progress. “An ACSF MAP Coach will walk each member through key milestones and include the facilitation of a ‘just culture,’” Burns noted. “Depending on where each organization is at on their safety path, we’ll help them build an effective SMS; report safety events via the Aviation Safety Action Program (ASAP); participate in a respected aviation safety audit, such as the ACSF’s Industry Audit Standard (IAS); and implement an FDM program,” he explained.
Burns continued: “At the ACSF, we realize that each member’s path should and will be unique, due to the size, scope and complexity of their operation. Not everyone is traveling at the same speed. That said, we want our members to strive for constant development, and point toward safety as a core value. Yes, we not only want everyone to achieve common safety standards —but also to push beyond minimums. It’s not an easy task, as most safety leaders are engaged in various other duties, so our MAP Coach will evaluate where each member company is at on their Pathway to Safety, and create a custom-made program to keep them moving in the right direction.”
An ACSF MAP Coach will:
- Meet virtually with ACSF safety leaders to evaluate how far along their organizations are on their Pathway to Safety.
- Customize a Pathway program plan with deliverables and dates so the team can take action.
- Create the member’s Pathway project plan in the ACSF’s MAP Tool, and train the team to use the Tool effectively.
- Set up and train members on other ACSF SMS Tools they may elect to use.
- Prepare Part 135 operators for the FAA’s upcoming SMS regulation.
- Hold the team accountable to achieve the plan.
- Guide the team on how best to implement the plan.
- Answer safety-related questions as they arise.
- Monitor the team’s progress and ensure that they stay on the correct path.
To request information on the ACSF’s “MAP” aviation safety coaching program, visit acsfdev.com/MAP.
