Sofema Online (SOL) www.sofemaonline.com considers the role of Bow Tie Analysis within an effective Aviation Safety Management System.

Introduction

Bow Tie Analysis is a risk management technique that is commonly used in various industries to identify potential hazards and assess the risks associated with them. It is a visual representation of the cause-and-effect relationship between different factors that can lead to an undesired event, along with the controls that can be implemented to prevent or mitigate the consequences of that event.

The regulatory obligations to ensure that the correct maintenance is performed may be found in EASA Part M Subpart C. It is well known that after expenditure on fuel, the cost of aircraft maintenance is one of the most significant overheads, as such it also presents opportunities to optimize which may in turn lead to savings.

We also need to consider the danger of “under maintained aircraft”. A company can lose its reputation and become associated with an unreliable service, whereas building up a reputation for sterling operation may take a long time.

It is critical for Operators to not only achieve but to maintain high standards of both a safe and a reliable services, as well as to pay attention to optimizing their profits.

There are a number of measure which operators may use to demonstrate effective maintenance, reliability data being a leading factor amongst them.