Is Maintenance Involved in Your SMS?
As the aviation industry places an increasing emphasis on Safety Management Systems (SMS), one would hope that upper management recognizes the value of a robust SMS. While Safety Directors are leading efforts to embed SMS principles across departments, the maintenance team—often less enthusiastic than operations—plays a crucial role. It is these maintenance experts who ensure that […]
ACSF Announces New Chairman and Vice-Chairman
Washington, DC – November 5, 2024, The Air Charter Safety Foundation (ACSF) is pleased to announce the selection of Kent Stauffer, Vice President Safety for Flexjet, as its new ACSF Chairman and Michael Wootton, Director of Operations for Advanced Air, as ACSF Vice Chairman, effective January 1, 2025. Kent will succeed Todd Weeber, whose term expires the […]
Remembering Dave Ryan: A Mentor, a Safety Icon, and a True Friend
Captain Dave Ryan will be remembered as a mentor, a champion of safety, and a friend whose warmth and dedication touched everyone he met. Dave’s passing is a significant loss to the aviation community, but his spirit and impact will live on, through the lives he influenced and the industry he helped shape. Dave’s journey […]
Embracing SMS: A New Era of Safety and Accountability in Air Charter
The new Safety Management System (SMS) requirement under 14 CFR Part 5 represents a landmark shift for the air charter industry, bringing increased accountability and a commitment to proactive safety measures. At the Air Charter Safety Foundation (ACSF), we recognize that this change demands a cultural transformation within the industry, especially around self-reporting. This is […]
ASAP Case Studies October 2024
Weather Event – Severe Turbulence On a charter flight from MDSD to KHPN, we encountered Severe Turbulence. I was the pilot monitoring for this segment of the flight. Prior to Departure a SIGMET was issued along our route of flight over the North Atlantic tracks. Shortly after being handed off to NY HF Radio the […]
Safety Spotlight: A Passenger’s Expectation of Safety
On December 17, 1903, Orville Wright flew for 59 seconds, and aviation as we know it was born. Later that same day, a hard landing followed by a wind gust severely damaged the airplane. This would be an accident—the expectation of safety circa 1903….one accident every four flights. Lt. Thomas E. Selfridge became the first person […]
Free Webinar: Unlocking Aviation Safety: Practical Tools and Insights for Operators
Details: Thu, Nov 07 | 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM EST Join us on November 7 for a compelling webinar: “Unlocking Aviation Safety: Practical Tools and Insights for Operators.” This session will introduce you to two essential programs: IAS Lite and the Member Assistance Program (MAP), designed to enhance safety and compliance for aviation operators. […]
ASAP Case Studies September 2024
The following are redacted Aviation Safety Action Program (ASAP) reports from participating member companies during September 2024. Each case underscores the unique challenges that test the skills and preparedness of the crew. These incidents highlight the critical importance of adhering to standard procedures and the valuable lessons learned from navigating unexpected situations. Runway Excursion We […]
Safety Spotlight: Advancing Culture Beyond SMS
Transforming Safety Culture: Beyond Compliance While Safety Management Systems (SMS) are important for managing risks and ensuring safety, they are just one piece of the puzzle. To achieve lasting safety improvements, organizations must cultivate a robust safety culture that goes beyond mere compliance and addresses deeper cultural issues. Understanding and Managing Organizational Culture Organizational culture […]
Safety Spotlight: Captain / Captain Pairings
Safe aircraft operation is a carefully choreographed series of activities starting before arrival to the airport and continuing through the end of the flight day. Just like an orchestra playing a concert, everyone needs to take their ques from a single conductor to achieve the desired outcome. The Importance of Knowing the Roles The role […]
