Tuesday, May 28, 2013

Two Critical Elements for Employee Involvement in Airline/Airport Aviation Safety Management Systems (SMS)

Involvement in Aviation Safety Management System (SMS)

Employees must become an integral part of your airline or airport's aviation safety process. Without employee involvement in your SMS program, meaningful and lasting changes are unable to occur. To successfully implement an aviation SMS program, safety managers need to develop a sense of responsibility and pride in the success of the overall safety program. This cultural change increases safety awareness which affects not only themselves, but also coworkers, contractors and customers (pax) as well.

employee involvement in aviation safety management systems (SMS) for airlines and airports

It is ultimately top management's responsibility to ensure airline/airport safety. However, employee involvement remains necessary to make it work. Line employees have the most to contribute to your airline/airport safety program by their direct involvement in following safety work practices and immediately reporting potential hazards or quality concerns. Line personnel are in immediate contact with potentially hazardous situations and are also dealing with pax.

Safety managers should consider hazard identification and problem-solving exercises in the airline or airport's initial and recurring safety training. As we stated, employee involvement is critical. Providing airline/airport employees with knowledge as to what is considered "desirable behavior" is a first step in acquiring their involvement.

Encouraging Employee Involvement in Your Aviation SMS Program

Employee involvement in your aviation SMS program may take many forms. Safety promotion strategies used to encourage and sustain this involvement vary from operator to operator and also culture to culture. Culture is an element that must be accounted for, especially when your airline operations span several countries or your airline/airport employs many expatriates.

For our discussion, two basic elements to increase the probability of success for encouraging employee involvement in your safety program are:

Unrestricted lines of communication; and
Visible management actions to address employee concerns.

Lines of communication may be direct or indirect.

Methods of direct communication may include:

Standard operating procedures and open-door policy;
Open safety meetings;
Safety committee participation;
Work-site inspections participation, hazard analysis
Input into drafting safety policies and procedures;
Accident/incident investigation participation; and
Aviation safety training curriculum development, review, and presentation

Indirect communication may include email or Web based hazard reporting systems.

When employees do report hazards, make sure you close the feedback loop. Other ways to demonstrate that management is dealing with employee concerns (reported hazards) are using:
Newsletters; and

More information on hazard reporting systems

How to Encourage Employees to Use SMS Hazard Reporting Tools

Reducing Accidents using Web Based Aviation Safety Reporting Programs

How to Increase Airline/Airport Hazard Reporting

Safety Non-Punitive Reporting Policy Statement Sample

Hazard Reporting for Effective Aviation SMS Management

Public Issue Reporting Aviation Safety Hazards

How to Report Aviation Incidents & Accidents by Email

Reporting Airline Airport Hazards Using IPad & IPhone

How to best help your
Aviation Safety Management System

Become an SMS PRO

About NWDS - founded in 2003 by six software engineers, NorthWest Data Solutions (NWDS) provides custom computer programming and systems design services. NWDS creates many types of software, including e-commerce, financial, defense, engineering, logistics, aviation and more. In 2007, NWDS developed SMS Pro™ a web based SMS application that supports an organization's overall SMS through safety reporting, safety documentation, safety risk management and safety assurance. SMS Pro™ is currently used by aviation organizations in the U.S., Canada, Asia, Latin America, Africa and the Middle East to help manage their SMS programs. NWDS continues to support SMS Pro™ and add new functionality. NWDS offers custom contract programming services in the U.S. and Canada and is managed by Chris Howell, one of the founders. Their headquarters is in Anchorage, Alaska. For information on NWDS visit their website at www.nwds-ak.com and www.asms-pro.com to learn more about SMS Pro™.

Tuesday, May 21, 2013

SMS for Aviation Purposes

SMS for Aviation

SMS Hazard Reporting, Auditing Tools, Airport & Airline Risk Management

Serving Airlines & Airports Across the World.

SMS for Aviation Purposes

Serving Airlines and Airports since 2008 with cutting edge SMS for aviation purposes

SMS for aviation safety purposes. All size airlines & airports (10 employees to ten thousand)
SQL Server Database Implementation
Custom Client and Server Programming
Design and Programming Services for Custom SMS for Aviation Purposes
Paper based and MS Excel systems are less effective than ever.
International airlines and airports must have Web presence.
We can provide SMS for aviation purposes for all stakeholders.

Web-based SMS for aviation safety purposes can make a difference in user acceptance. Engage airline and airport employees with functional aviation safety solutions that are user friendly...

Additional Information About Aviation Safety Management Software

Airline Safety Management Software
SMS for Aviation Purposes
Flight Safety Software
Online SMS Training by SMS Pro
Aviation Safety Reporting Software
Airline Safety Software
Safety Software
Aviation Safety Management System Software
Airport Safety Software
Safety Management System Software
Aviation SMS Software
Safety Audit Checklist
Four Pillars of Safety Management
Aviation Safety Solutions
Aviation SMS Safety Management Systems
Airport SMS Software
Airline SMS Software

Four Common Reasons Safety Managers Fail

Reasons Aviation Safety Managers Fail

For many aviation safety managers the safety manager responsibilities do not fall among their core competencies. In fact, many pilots (mechanics, airport managers, etc) come to work one day and learn they have been given the title, "Safety Manager." No extra pay or glory. Just another "expected" duty, reminiscent of my days in the military as a special duty officer.

If you suddenly have become saddled with the gargantuan tasks associated with being an aviation safety manager, you are going to learn that there is more to this job than most of your managers believe. Many first time safety managers fail. Being in close contact with hundreds of safety managers over the past six years, we've picked up a few pointers that may help you in your job as the airline or airport's safety manager.

Why Safety Managers Fail?

Lack of Aviation Safety Management System (SMS) Training

If you are a first-time aviation safety manager, it is up to you to learn what is required in an aviation safety management system. If possible, get some SMS training from a reputable company, such as:

aviation safety managers fail for a variety of reasons. SMS Training, poor communiation

Another option to learn SMS requirements is to purchase an aviation SMS software program that will teach you about aviation SMS programs as you setup the airline or airport's SMS program, such as SMS Pro. One of the biggest mistakes a first-time safety manager can make is not seeking out good training and skill building opportunities.

Poor Communication Skills

Safety managers need to clearly articulate the aviation SMS requirements to the rest of the airline or airport personnel. Furthermore, they must develop and maintain excellent working relations with managers at all levels. Safety managers must be "change managers." In order to reduce barriers to change, safety managers must understand and practice the psychological components required in moving an organization along the path to a successful SMS implementation.

Safety managers who have excellent communication skills will have an easier time implementing change. For safety managers lacking these skills, one recommendation is to read, "Winning Friend and Influencing People," by Dale Carnegie.

Keeping managers and staff informed regularly is also an important communication skill. When everyone knows what is going on and what is expected, there will be less resistance to change.

Ensure that top management is briefed on a regular basis and that they are aware of any extra resources and trraining you may require to implement your SMS. Remember, top management won't help if they don't know you need help.

Failure to Build Trust With Managers

Politics play an incredible important role while implementing an SMS program. Some airlines and airports have "safety champions" and "safety managers." Safety champions are those selected to inspire and lead the airline and airport to success. Safety managers possess the training and expertise to train others and perform the daily risk management activities of the airline or airport.

Managers are often very busy people. Their plates are already full. When safety managers appear to give other managers "more work" that adds not immediate, noticeable effect, you can naturally expect resistance. Managers are busy. Successful safety managers have to discover ways to get and keep the department heads playing on the same team.

Failure to Champion SMS Program as "The Boss' SMS Program"

Occasionally, employees at an airline or airport see the SMS program as being the province of the safety manager. In all reality, the safety program belongs to the accountable executive. Whenever possible, the safety manager will benefit by portraying to others that his job is to implement the "boss' SMS program." There is usually less resistance and animosity toward the safety manager when he is perceived as "doing his job at the direction of the boss."

How to best help your
Aviation Safety Management System

Become an SMS PRO

Saturday, May 18, 2013

Five Aviation SMS Training Mistakes to Avoid

Aviation SMS Training Mistakes to Avoid

Lesson Learned: Aviation safety training remains an important part of aviation SMS implementation plans and other aviation SMS initiatives, such as recurrent training. However, SMS training is seldom welcome by the entire airline or airport staff. Here are five common SMS training mistakes to avoid when training your airline or airport staff.

Aviation SMS Training Responsibilities

Aviation safety managers are responsible for training staff throughout the airline or airport. Examples include:

online aviation safety management system (SMS) training

Aviation SMS Training

Providing initial aviation SMS induction training;
Getting all stakeholders acquainted with new hazard reporting forms or processes; or
Offering department heads basic risk management skills using aviation safety management software so they don't flood the aviation safety department with simple questions.

Challenges/Risks in Providing Aviation SMS Training

One common challenge has always been to excite airline/airport staff enough to listen to the aviation SMS training. It becomes frustrating for managers and employees to make time for your aviation SMS training and when they do attend training, information frequently goes in one ear and out the other. In short, this challenge is a "real risk!"

online aviation safety management system (SMS) training for airlines, airports, MROs, FBOs, flight schools

How can safety managers mitigate this risk? One attitude is for airlines and airports to skip basic SMS training altogether. A skeptical observer can easily surmise that in-depth SMS training to many end uses is a waste of time. All the earnest, good-faith efforts of conscientious safety managers to increase user awareness and education is doing nothing to make airlines and airports more safe.

Others believe that SMS training is still an important part of aviation safety and other aviation SMS implementation initiatives. In this case, safety managers should modify their approach to SMS training to ensure the airline or airport's investment has a more positive impact.

When your airline or airport is providing SMS training, try to avoid these common aviation SMS training mistakes:

1. Focusing on Airline/Airport Benefits Instead of Employee

Aviation SMS training is to help the airline or airport, whether by protecting stakeholders (pax, crew) or making sure employees have the necessary skills to work safely. When SMS training courses focus solely on why it's important for your airline or airport, employees seldom pay close attention. Examples may include reducing costs and enhancing the reputation of the airline or airport.

Instead, SMS training information should possess a personal element. This may include offering tips and tricks how employees can keep safe from electrical burns that also apply at home, or telling them what effect losses due to aircraft delays might have on employee salaries. When training airline or airport employees to to use equipment, it’s critical to point out why knowing how to use it properly will benefit them. Without providing personal touches, the audience tends to zone out more readily, especially when talking about the abstract safety management principles in aviation SMS programs.

2. Providing Safety Training Incentives Improperly

Many aviation safety managers entice employees to pay attention to SMS training or safety procedures by offering incentives to employees demonstrating they understand safety information. These incentives may include financial rewards or gifts for safe behavior, or penalties for violating safety policies and procedures.

Harvard researchers say offering a small reward up front and then take it away when goals and objectives aren't met proves to be a more effective incentive-offering strategy. Employees appear to be more motivated to avoid losing something than by the slight possibility of earning rewards.

3. Providing Same Aviation SMS Training to All Employees

Even though everyone has something to learn, safety managers should never ignore the fact that some employees know more about technology than others. Frequently, employees complain about being forced to sit through a lot of basic information they already know. This is a legitimate complaint. Case in point: some employees don't know what double-click or refresh your screen means.

Therefore, for many SMS training activities involving Web based aviation safety management software, it may help to separate employees into different groups based on their technical expertise and prior computer knowledge. This keeps tech savvy users from falling asleep during the really basic stuff, and prevent others from getting lost when sessions move too quickly.

Also, it often helps to group employees based on job functions or SMS role. For example, employees with different levels of access to safety information should be attending different training sessions, such as internal auditors, department heads and safety managers.

4. Choosing Safety Managers With Inadequate Speaking Skills

Aviation safety managers aren't always the smoothest or most entertaining speakers. Providing aviation SMS training requires both strong subject matter expertise and the ability to convey that information that users can understand. College professors realize that students want to be entertained when attending courses. Therefore, employees attending SMS training probably have similar expectations.

Whenever aviation SMS training is provided by in house safety managers, communication skills must be considered when choosing the safety manager to provide the SMS training. When there are multiple safety managers with subject matter expertise, some may make better trainers than others. Furthermore, whenever adequate training skills are lacking, prospective SMS trainers should ask for advice from others who are accustomed to public speaking. Attending Toastmaster groups is highly recommended to hone public speaking skills, which are valuable in providing effective aviation SMS training.

aviation safety management software training online

5. Allowing Employees to Think There's Nothing New to Learn

Another of the biggest obstacles to providing effective and lasting aviation SMS training, is some employee's attitude that they know everything and have nothing new to learn. This is especially risky when it comes to recurring SMS training, as many employee injuries occur to airline and airport staff that have many years experience.

Safety managers who are also proving aviation SMS training can prove this point is by conducting in-house safety tests. For example, safety managers can fabricate a potentially unsafe atmosphere and see how many employees neglect to practice proper safety procedures. This exercise not only alerts employees to their own vulnerabilities, but these results should also alert upper management and show them why aviation safety training is worthwhile.

How to best help your
Aviation Safety Management System

Become an SMS PRO

Friday, May 17, 2013

Why Pilots Are Advised to Take Blood Tests - Safety Promotion

Pilots Advised to Take Blood Tests - Safety Promotion

Blood tests are one of the most important health diagnostic tools. Ordering online blood tests are performed by drawing blood samples at a conveniently located clinic. These blood test blood samples are sent to a confidential laboratory for the highest quality diagnostic testing. Many different blood tests exist, but our age, profession and health will determine the proper blood tests to focus on to maximize health.

Professional pilots are exposed daily to many potential hazards. These hazards include:

Order online blood tests to promote aviation safety for all

Hypoxia from artificially oxygenated environments;
Repeated pressurization and depressurization during altitude changes;
Fumes from aircraft;
Cabin radiation from significantly high levels of cosmic radiation;
Deep vein thrombosis from sitting for prolonged periods; and
Fatigue and stress.

Keep the Mission Safe - Blood Tests Proactively Identify Potential Problems

Blood tests taken at the right time can help detect risks for heart diseases, thyroid problems, and diabetes. Many elective blood tests are not taken during regular medical checks and can raise flags for your "flying doctor." Therefore, if you want to be proactive about your health, you may want to order confidential, online blood tests.

Younger pilots are advised to get blood tests every five years. These blood tests indicate the amount of cholesterol and blood sugar levels.

Pilots in their thirties are recommended to have blood tests for cholesterol and blood sugar. Blood tests can also indicate thyroid dysfunctions.

Pilots Over Forty - Blood Tests Highly Recommended

Once pilots reach forty, ordering online blood tests can be used to test pilots' C-reactive protein. Pilots over forty are now targets for heart attacks or strokes especially if they are overweight and not exercising properly. Being proactive at this stage of your life can help thwart unseen conditions that may develop into serious problems later in your life.

Pilots over the age of fifty need to start worrying about bone health. Blood tests for aging pilots are helpful in determining Vitamin D levels. Many pilots over the age of 60 suffer from Vitamin D deficiencies and thyroid disorders.

As stated earlier, blood test help pilots proactively determine their level of risk for heart diseases, thyroid problems and diabetes.

A qualified expert has compiled a comprehensive list of professional pilots' health screening blood tests. Any pilot can order these blood tests online and the results are confidential. Health coaching is also available upon request to help mitigate risks.

My Labs For Life has over 140 blood tests available. There is considerable information on this site to help pilots take control of their health.

How to best help your
Aviation Safety Management System

Become an SMS PRO

Monday, May 13, 2013

Using Aviation Safety Audit Management Software

Safety Audit Management Software in SMS Pro

Aviation safety audits or investigations are typically stressful and time consuming. Preparing yourself and your airline or airport is the best way to make the process go smoothly. This saves time and money for all parties concerned. SMS Pro has several very inexpensive safety audit management software tools available for airlines, airports, flight schools, FBOs, AMOs (MROs) and our existing corporate charter operators. Many free aviation safety auditing downloads can be found on http://www.aviation-sms.com.

Aviation Safety Audit Software Tools

Using Aviation Safety Audit Management Software

Understanding the safety auditing tools is important for safety and quality managers to effectively prepare for safety audits, whether they are internal safety audits performed by your airline or airport, or external audits performed by aviation regulatory authorities or clients. Before we get too far into managing internal and external audits, let's review the available aviation safety auditing software modules available in SMS Pro.

1) Inspection Form Creator

Internal safety audits always begin with safety audit checklists. Checklists ensure that safety auditors review all the processes or procedures according to the standards of the specified audit. Aviation safety audits ensure airlines and airports are performing to prescribed standards. These standards are best laid out in checklists against which safety auditors answer with "yes/no," "true/false," etc.

Inspection Form Creator allows airlines and airports to very easily create aviation safety audit forms, whether they are airfield ground lighting, runway inspections, ground handling procedures, contractor/supplier evaluations, etc. As you can see, Inspection Form Creator is used for audits, inspections and evaluations.

In short, internal safety audits needs safety audit checklists and these checklists are created in the Inspection Form Creator.

2) Aviation Safety Audit Scheduler

Using Aviation Safety Audit Management Software at airlines and airports

Aviation Safety Audit Scheduler provides a calendar view of all aviation safety audits. SMS Pro can have more than one Safety Audit Scheduler per portal. For example, you may not want aviation maintenance departments to be overwhelmed with flight operations' safety audits. In this case, contact SMS Pro support and ask for another page to be created in your SMS Pro safety portal. If you have already taken the Advanced SMS Pro Administrator Training, you can do this yourself.

As you can easily imagine, the Aviation Safety Audit Scheduler allows managers to schedule internal and external safety audits. While scheduling the aviation safety audit, managers setup:

Audit Inspection Form(s) to be used;
Responsible Manager;
Audit Team;
Schedule Reminders to Auditing Team;
Recurring Audits.

To perform an aviation safety audit, members of the audit team can either start from the safety audit scheduling calendar or directly from the Safety Audit Manager.

3) Safety Audit Manager

aviation safety audit software for airlines and airiports

The third aviation safety auditing software module in SMS Pro is the Audit Manager. Audit Manager is where:

Audit Team answers selected safety audit checklists;
Audit Team adds attachments (photos, support documentation);
Responsible Manager accepts the completed aviation safety audit;
Final PDF reports are generated for printing or review.

When the auditing team discovers safety audit finding or concerns, reported issues are sent to SMS Pro's risk management software module, Issue Manager. Let's see how this works next.

4) Issue Manager - Aviation Safety Audit Managing Software

During the aviation safety audit, finding or concerns may be identified. Corrective actions must be managed to ensure identified shortcomings are addressed to ensure conformity to standards. Finally, a report must be made to audit stakeholders detailing the plan to correct the findings and concerns. SMS Pro's Issue Manager does this very nicely. Corrective Action Plans are generated automatically and you can send them to interested parties.

To learn more about SMS Pro's suite of aviation audit management software modules, visit here.

More Information About Aviation Safety Audit Management Software

Failing Your Aviation Safety Audit - Next Steps?
Internal Auditors' Reporting Software
Audit Inspection Form Creator
Safety Audit Checklists
Audit Management Systems Integrated into Safety Management Systems
Policy & Audit Elements of Effective Risk Management Programs

How to best help your
Aviation Safety Management System

Become an SMS PRO

Sunday, May 12, 2013

Failing Your Aviation Safety Audit - Next Steps?

What Happens When Failing Aviation Safety Audits?

We've worked with literally hundreds of airlines and airports in the past six years as we've developed, implemented and supported the popular aviation safety management software, SMS Pro. SMS Pro does have safety audit management integrated into the Web based software; therefore, both safety and quality departments use the software to schedule and manage aviation safety-related audits.

airline airport safety audit management software helps manage safety and quality audits

Most airlines and airports look at SMS Pro because they are trying to comply with civil aviation regulatory requirements. They may have a safety audit coming due and the top management starts pressuring safety and quality managers with queries: "Are we going to pass the safety audit?," or "Are we ready for the SMS audit?"

Truth be told, we've had many worried safety manager contact us in the "eleventh hour," and they ask us the logical questions of one in such a predicament:
"How many airline or airports using SMS Pro passed the SMS audit?"
"All of them," we reply, eyebrows raised. "Civil aviation authorities love SMS Pro because it is a complete system and make the auditors jobs easier. We know there is another question about aviation safety audits they should be asking. And....

Only one airline asked me, "How many airlines using SMS Pro failed the safety audit?"

Safety Audit Management

That is the million dollar question! Let's look at passing/failing the safety audit from another perspective. After all the work of answering questions, catering to the team of safety auditors and sweating over poorly worded questions, the safety or quality auditor is repeatedly asked, "Hey, did we pass our safety (or quality) audit?"

Airline and airport workers who understand nothing about safety or quality audits don't realize there is no passing/failing the safety audit. There are simply findings, concerns, requests for more information, or compliance.

Findings and Concerns in Aviation Safety Audits

Findings are conclusions by safety auditors demonstrating noncompliance with specific standards.

Concerns are conclusions by safety auditors supported by objective evidence that is not a finding, but may become a finding.

Passing/Failing Internal Safety Audits

Internal audits are performed by airline or airport staff or by consultants. During the inspection process of an internal, the safety auditor uses a pre-defined checklist to serve as a guide in the auditing process. Results are compiled into an audit report containing audit findings, which are the nonconformities or noncompliance issues.

When your airline or airport gets one or two regulatory noncompliance hits, will it pass the internal audit? Remember, that audits aren't simple pass or fail exercises. In most cases, your airline or airport will be in great shape even with less than half a dozen audit findings, or perhaps even 10. You should always see safety audit results in a positive light, because you have identified shortcomings in your airline or airport's safety program. Armed with these data, you can create a list of corrective actions to manage these items. In SMS Pro, we use the Corrective Action Plan.

External Aviation Safety Audits

civil aviation aviation authority safety audit management for airlines and airports

If you read the section on passing/failing internal safety audits, then the same applies to external safety audits. There is no strict pass/fail. The difference lies with whether this was the airline or airport's initial safety audit, or the recurring safety audit. Furthermore, were the finding and concerns of minor importance or significant.

Civil aviation authorities do pull certificates. And clients, such as oil companies or governmental agencies do refuse business with airlines that do not comply with their standards.

When your airline or airport has the initial safety audit, you will have a set time period to address the noncompliance issues. Failure to comply can result in revoked certificates, denial for initial certification, or lost contracts.

Corrective Action Plan - After the Safety Audit

So your airline or airport received the list of finding and concerns. Don't take this personally. This is an opportunity to improve your safety program. Here is an outline of steps we use in SMS Pro to address safety audit findings and concerns:

All safety audit findings & concerns are pulled into SMS Pro's Issue Manager. They are grouped together under their respective audit.
Safety manager (or quality manager in some cases) then reviews the audit findings and concerns and assigns the item to a responsible manager.
Responsible manager identifies corrective actions and either 1) does the action; or 2) assigns the corrective action to another person in the division.
Once all audit findings and concerns have planned corrective actions, the safety manager generates the Corrective Action Plan. The Corrective Action Plan is simply a list of audit finding and concerns with the planned corrective actions, who they are assigned to, and the status of each corrective action.
Corrective Action Plans are mailed to stakeholders.

Corrective Action Plans are generated automatically by SMS Pro. They can be edited before sending them to stakeholders.

To learn more about SMS Pro's airline and airport safety audit processes built into the Web based software, follow this link.

More Information About Aviation Safety Audit Management Software

Internal Auditors' Reporting Software
Audit Inspection Form Creator
Safety Audit Checklists
Audit Management Systems Integrated into Safety Management Systems
Policy & Audit Elements of Effective Risk Management Programs

Thursday, May 9, 2013

Four Tips for Buying Aviation SMS Software

Four Tips for Buying Web-Based Aviation SMS Software

Lesson Learned: Even the sexiest aviation safety software features will be worthless if considerable sums must be spent to adopt the aviation safety software to your airline or airport. Here are some tips for making the right decision while purchasing Web based aviation safety management system (SMS) software.

aviation safety management software buying tips and tricks

Buying aviation safety management system software can be a time-consuming and stressful process. Your email account is flooded by communications from aviation SMS software and SMS implementation providers. Business stakeholders request conflicting and often changing requirements, such as the quality or compliance departments. Seldom are you certain upper management will approve the budgeted SMS software costs and the subsequent SMS implementation costs.

Without a doubt, your airline or airport will be using the selected aviation SMS software for years. Most aviation SMS implementations require two to five years to become completely integrated into the culture of your airline or airport. In all likelihood, your aviation SMS software will be with your airline or airport for at least ten years. With all this history to look forward to, here are four tips for choosing the right aviation safety management software:

1. Purchase Aviation SMS Software Based on Business Needs

Many large aviation safety software companies are experts at smooth talking sales pitches. The coolest features and sexiest graphical reports are highlighted. Time-saving efficiencies are promised. While these cool features can be great, most aviation SMS software implementations fail because the SMS software fails to meet specific business or civil aviation regulatory requirements, rather than SMS software features not working as advertised.

aviation safety management (SMS) software buying tips and tricks

Evaluate airline or airport safety management software with your business and civil aviation regulatory requirements in mind. Ensure your SMS vendor demonstrates how their aviation SMS software will support your key business processes and facilitate regulatory compliance. Furthermore, ensure the selected software covers all four pillars or components of the ICAO model. Most aviation SMS software fails to cover all four ICAO pillars. Your options are to supplement your SMS implementation with other software or manual methods, or choose the more complete aviation SMS software solution, such as SMS Pro.

Even the most compelling SMS software feature will be worthless if tens of thousands must be spent to adapt the software to your business processes. These shortcomings become more painful and embarrassing when management learns later that the software fails to facilitate ICAO or aviation regulatory compliance.

Don't neglect the targeted business needs once the aviation SMS software selection has been made. Map business requirements to SMS safety software processes and note where customization may be required. Occasionally, business processes can be modified to adapt to the aviation SMS software. The best aviation safety management software is flexible enough to adapt to most airline or airport business processes.

2. Factor in All SMS Implementation Costs

Perhaps the most obvious pain of implementing an aviation SMS and the related software is its costs. These safety costs are more painful when the budget is repeatedly overrun and managers must plead for more funding. The best way to get a ball-park figure on SMS implementation costs is by investigating other past initiatives at your company. Get a feel for the initial software costs and the resulting implementation costs. Review the amount of required customization that was expected and use that to extrapolate your SMS implementation costs.

If you don't have good, solid numbers to help identify your projected SMS implementation budget, multiply your expected SMS implementation costs by two. There are always hidden costs, and these costs may not be directly related to the chosen aviation safety software.

3. Get “Real” References of Aviation SMS Software Clients

It is certainly expected that you will ask aviation safety software companies for references. Most will provide you with glowing excepts of aviation SMS software reviews filled with compelling quotes. These should be regarded as marketing copy rather than references. Insist on talking with current and past customers (if possible) of the aviation safety solution provider. Past customers of the aviation SMS software company may have been successful SMS implementations. However, airlines and airports that are currently implementing their SMS programs represent more valuable feedback.

Spend some time researching particular software companies for poor customer service or SMS software quality. Make sure you call at least three safety managers of other airlines or airports that are implementing your short list of aviation SMS software solutions. Most safety managers using SMS Pro are more than happy to talk with you and detail their experiences with the Web based aviation SMS software and provide some caveats. Even across the industry segments (airlines, airports, aviation maintenance, FBOs, flight schools, corporate charter), many functions are remarkably similar. With a sample of three to five safety managers, you can quickly determine whether shortcomings exists in the aviation safety software or whether certain features present problems while complying with civil aviation SMS regulations.

4. Stack Your SMS Implementation Team for Success

Tips and Tricks of buying aviation SMS software. Get reviews of SMS software

Aviation SMS implementation consultants commonly present an interesting situation. The longer your SMS implementation lasts, the more revenue they earn. Allowing aviation SMS implementation consultants free reign over critical SMS project decisions is like asking your employee to write their own paychecks. Not every airline or airport hires SMS consultants during their SMS implementation. We have found that approximately ten percent of airlines and airports hire external resources.

If you acquire the services of SMS consultants, ensure your airline or airport SMS implementation team retains control over scoping decisions, especially regarding SMS software customization. When necessary, have an impartial third party (such as your civil aviation authority liaison) review the project plan and evaluate the SMS implementation team’s structure and SMS implementation activities before the SMS implementation begins.

In conclusion, we have provided a mere sample of the many facets of implementing aviation safety management software solutions. Hopefully, you will either have gained some insights or reviewed these high-level guidelines as you plan your aviation SMS implementation. Aviation SMS implementations have created considerable stress for safety managers and directors of safety. Keep the business needs and regulatory requirements in mind at all times. Don't be afraid of consulting your civil aviation authority for guidance. By keeping the civil aviation authority (CAA) in the loop, you are stacking the deck in your favor. You should consider your CAA liaison as part of your SMS implementation team.

Wednesday, May 8, 2013

Flight Safety Software

SMS Hazard Reporting, Auditing Tools, Airport & Airline Risk Management

Serving Airlines & Airports Across the World.

Flight Safety Software for Aviation Safety Management Systems (SMS)

Serving Airlines and Airports since 2008 with Web based flight safety software

Online flight safety software for all size airlines and airports (10 employees to ten thousand)
Enterprise grade with SQL Server Database
Web Based Flight Safety Software Training Vidoes
Contract Design and Programming Services for Flight Safety Software
Paper based systems is less efficient than ever.
International airlines and airports should use Web based flight safety tools.
Flexible design with multilingual support (French, Spanish, German, Chinese)

Web-based flight safety software can make a difference in user acceptance. Engage airline and airport employees anytime with on-demand online flight safety software training videos and documentation...