Building Safety from the Inside Out
For charter operators, safety culture is more than a compliance requirement. It’s critical to the success of the organization and the foundation of how customers evaluate you. Inside your operation, safety culture shapes how teams communicate, make decisions, react to and solve problems. Outside, it defines how clients, regulators, and future employees perceive an operation’s professionalism, reliability and trustworthiness.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) made this link clear in its Safety Management System (SMS) rule (14 CFR Part 5). The rule identifies four core components of an effective SMS: Safety Policy, Safety Risk Management, Safety Assurance, and Safety Promotion.
Each of these elements is the foundation for a healthy safety culture which must be demonstrated every day, not just documented on paper.
The Intangible Engine of Safety
At its core, Safety culture is made of both tangible and intangible elements whose overall impact are unmistakable. It’s best to think of it this way: An effective, proactive safety culture ingrains shared beliefs and behaviors that determine how people respond, even when no one is watching or measuring.
According to Part 5, operators are required to define a safety policy and establish clear lines of accountability and authority. Those rules are only meaningful when employees truly believe that leadership means what it says about safety.
At the Air Charter Safety Foundation (ACSF), we often say that “safety is more than compliance, it’s character.” When teams trust leadership, they consistently take actions and make decisions in favor of safety and feel safe to report issues without fear. That trust becomes the driving force behind every successful safety program.
Culture Creates Ownership
Along with the FAA’s requirements for Part 5, the FAA has seven Safety Attributes that, while not required by regulation, help optimize an operator’s safety performance. One of those attributes that is inextricably linked to culture is Safety Ownership. In positive, healthy safety cultures, every individual knows both their role in safety and how to execute it from the CEO down to the front lines. Properly defining safety roles at an organization is a critical component of building a healthy culture and stops individuals from “passing the buck” to others,
Safety Communication: The Bridge Between Internal and External
The FAA’s requirement under §5.93 for safety communication reminds us that information must flow clearly throughout an organization. This doesn’t just mean memos and bulletins. It’s about creating an environment where safety discussions are routine and honest, where lessons are shared, and where people understand how their actions contribute to the bigger picture.
When your internal communications are open, your external communications will be authentic. Consistency between the two builds confidence among clients and employees alike.
Emergency Response Planning: When Culture Is Put to the Test
Nothing tests a company’s safety culture more than a crisis. Under §5.27 of 14 CFR Part 5, operators are required to have an Emergency Response Plan (ERP) that defines clear roles, responsibilities, and coordination procedures. The ERP is more than a checklist. It’s a reflection of your organization’s values in action.
When an emergency happens, people fall back on habits built by culture. If your team communicates well and trusts one another in daily operations, that same behavior will guide your actions under pressure.
ACSF’s ERP Template and Guidance Tool, available to members, helps operators build and test their emergency plans. The goal isn’t just compliance. It’s to develop a framework for clear, compassionate communication—both internally and externally—when it matters most.
From the Hangar Floor to the Headlines
The tone of your safety culture will show how your organization speaks publicly. A company that assigns blame internally will sound defensive externally. One that focuses on learning and accountability will appear professional and credible.
ACSF encourages members to integrate their ERP efforts with their Safety Promotion activities so that messages to employees, clients, and the public all reflect the same safety-first mindset.
How ACSF Resources Strengthen Safety Culture
ACSF provides a range of tools that help operators cultivate strong safety cultures and connect those values to real-world results:
- SMS Tool: Helps operators align their internal programs with 14 CFR Part 5, ensuring a complete approach to safety policy, risk management, and promotion.
- Emergency Response Plan (ERP) Template: Provides structured guidance for crisis communication and coordination.
- Aviation Safety Action Program (ASAP): Encourages non-punitive reporting and builds trust among employees.
- Member Assistance Program (MAP): Supports the wellbeing of aviation professionals, recognizing that human factors are integral to safety.
- Industry Audit Standard (IAS and IAS Lite): Offers independent validation of an organization’s safety culture and systems.
- Flight Data Monitoring (FDM): Delivers data-driven insights to improve operational decision-making.
Culture Is Continuous
A strong safety culture isn’t built overnight. It grows through consistent leadership engagement, honest communication, and ongoing learning. Regularly assessing your safety culture maturity as part of your Safety Assurance process under §5.71–§5.75 keeps the organization aligned and responsive to change.
The most successful operators don’t just comply with the SMS rule. They embody it. Their commitment is visible in how they communicate, how they make decisions, and how they lead by example.
Your Safety Culture Is Your Success Story
Every organization has a story, and a safety culture is the plotline that runs through it. Inside your hangar, that story influences how you operate. Outside, it defines your reputation.
When safety, integrity, and accountability guide your internal culture, those same qualities will shine through your brand. That authenticity is what earns trust, attracts talent, and ensures long-term success.
Resources
• ACSF Safety Management Tools
• FAA 14 CFR Part 5 – Safety Management Systems
• NBAA Safety Resources
