This past February, I departed the Air Charter Safety Foundation (ACSF) and began a new job. That degree of change doesn’t mean, however, that I am done spreading the safety message. In fact, far from it.
To illustrate, this past March, I attended the ACSF Safety Symposium in Daytona Beach, Florida. I was invited to lead a panel discussion on the ACSF Flight Data Monitoring (FDM) beta test. My fellow panelists were all involved in that test project in some form. As the discussion unfolded, they provided great insight into the nature of the effort and the benefits of FDM in general. It was a distinct honor to be part of that discussion.
THE ‘FIFTH STONE’ IN THE PATHWAY TO SAFETY
To lead off our session, I walked the audience through the four steps in the ACSF Pathway to Safety, namely: implement a Safety Management System (SMS), participate in the Aviation Safety Action Program(ASAP), conduct an external audit of your operation, and, lastly, implement a Flight Data Monitoring program.
When I finished the introduction, I mentioned that I thought I had found a “fifth paving stone” on the path. But, alas, in the rush of that moment, I forgot to circle back to make the point! So, for those of you whom I left hanging, I present my fifth step, “Continuing Engagement.”
CONTINUING ENGAGEMENT
Continuing engagement is important for any safety practitioner, and that engagement can take many forms. A few of them include: internal engagement within your operation, listening to your favorite aviation podcast, attending a class or learning a new skill.
For me, continuing engagement means actively engaging with my fellow safety practitioners, such as I did at the ACSF Safety Symposium.
Truly, attending the Symposium—and others of its kind—recharges my battery in a big way. This engagement is the most important one I can make for my professional self.
For example, it’s easy for my instrument scan to break down, and for me to find myself heads-down, submerged in my work and focused only on what is right in front of me. Time with my fellow safety practitioners reminds me to keep the scan going, and ask myself the following:
- What are the emerging trends and/or hazards developing in our industry?
- What can I learn from my safety allies?
- What can I do to help others in my community?
INVALUABLE TIME SPENT
The ACSF Safety Symposium is a safe space for these questions to be asked and answered. At the event, there are many people whom I only see once a year, but trust implicitly. I feel free to seek their input and guidance on nearly any topic without fear of seeming dumb, and without concern that the information shared will travel beyond that discussion.
I always leave the Symposium having learned something to bring back to the operation. This year was no exception. But for me, the most valuable takeaway is being able to take that step onto the fifth stone of the pathway to safety with my friends, mentors and fellow practitioners.
If you haven’t been to an industry safety meeting in a while, I highly encourage you to look for regional events in your area or plan to attend a national event. The time you spend there is valuable beyond measure.
In the coming months, please join me in making that commitment to attend another safety event. Perhaps even next year’s ACSF Safety Symposium on April 1-3. I personally look forward to seeing you at one!
