Where Birds Don't Fly

After several years of SMS, the time is now for airlines and airports to embrace SMS and for SMS to be managed by experts in the field. There are many who will take on the title as SMS Manager, or Director of Safety, but there are few who are qualified. With a high demand for qualified personnel, it is busy task find someone with world class experience. SMS has become an extremely specialized field and there are only a handful of experts who comprehend SMS strategies and solutions of both the operational side and the regulatory side, in addition having the skills to implement a practical solution of regulatory processes. There was no one who had expected the SMS 10 – 15 years ago to take this path. Back then, SMS was sold as a data entry tool only where technical expertise knowledge no longer would be required. However, SMS is on a different level than any other QA Programs in that it must assess human factors, human performance and job performance as it relates to safety critical area...

Vision yourself in a restaurant, with family, friends or someone special. It’s a wonderful atmosphere, the place is spectacular, friendly personnel and everything is a million times better than expected. You are waiting for the meal to be served when you hear the rattling noise of falling trash cans. The next thing you know your meal is served on a bacteria infected lid of a trash can. Your meal is also served with a note stating that you must consume this meal to avoid a restaurant departure fee. You feel alone and trapped without a place to go. First Impression of SMS. This is how SMS was introduced to the aviation industry 10-12 years ago. It is a wonderful safety tool and the best thing that ever happened to safety, but it was served on top of the lid of a trash can. Nobody wanted to touch it or learn more about it. If that wasn’t enough, airlines and airports were trapped within their own four walls to accept regulatory designed expectations.  There were no doors through the w...