Sofema Online (SOL) www.sofemaonline.com considers the elements involved in an effective component replacement program.

Introduction

Effective management of aircraft components is an essential aspect of aircraft maintenance programs and plays a critical role in ensuring the safety, reliability, and efficiency of aircraft operations. Proper management of aircraft components helps to prevent unscheduled maintenance, reduce operational downtime, and ensure that aircraft systems and equipment are always in top working condition.

Sofema Online (SOL) www.sofemaonline.com considers the Performance-Based Oversight (PBO) approach proscribed by EASA.

Introduction

EASA's risk-based and performance-based oversight approach is designed to ensure that the aviation industry operates safely, efficiently, and sustainably while minimizing risks to passengers, crew, and the environment.

Sofema Online (SOL) www.sofemaonline.com considers the key risks to be considered as part of the ERP interface with the Safety Management System (SMS).

Introduction

Organizations can never anticipate the next crisis so they must try to the most likely crisis scenarios as well as those potential anomalies that pose a risk or existential threat to the organization.

Considerations by Sofema Online (SOL) www.sofemaonline.com

Introduction

The SAFA programme started in 1996 and is focused on assessing the level of compliance with the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) standards of the airlines operating at the various airports which are within the jurisdiction of the European Aviation Authorities.

» The objective is to raise the overall safety level of airlines by requiring correction and prevention of identified discrepancies with ICAO standards.

Sofema Online (SOL) www.sofemaonline.com looks at typical descriptors for Defenses that reduce or mitigate the risk related to a particular hazard.

Introduction

Consider the Term “As Low as Reasonably Practicable” (ALARP). Not all risks are manageable to the extent that they are either no longer a factor or they are economically impractical to mitigate means the cost outweighs the benefit.

Hazard Identification / Risk Assessment is carried out in order to identify the hazards in the organizational systems and operational environment. It also supports the risk assessment where we consider the probability of occurrence and the severity of the hazard effects are analyzed and where the magnitude of the risk and its acceptability are determined.

Sofema Aviation Services (SAS) www.sassofia.com considers the obligations & responsibilities of the Accountable Manager.

Introduction – Guidance related to ICAO Annex 19

The organisation (service provider) is responsible to identify the accountable executive who, has ultimate responsibility and accountability, on behalf of the organisation, for the implementation and ongoing maintenance of the SMS.

Sofema Online (SOL) www.sofemaonline.com takes a detailed look at the Aviation Safety Management Risk Management Landscape.

Introduction – What is Risk Management

Risk Management, being a central component of the SMS, plays a vital role in addressing the risk in practical terms.

Sofema Online (SOL) www.sofemaonline.com considers optimum techniques and practices for lifting & handling material within the Aviation Stores Facility.

Lifting and Material Handling Principles & Practice

Introduction - Employees using smart lifting practices are far less likely to suffer from back sprains, muscle pulls, wrist injuries, elbow injuries, spinal injuries, and other injuries caused by lifting heavy objects.

Potential Injury Causes

Sofema Online (SOL) www.sofemaonline.com considers the optimum organizational safety system behaviours to effectively monitor safety performance.

Introduction - ICAO identifies an SPI as a “a data-based safety parameter used for monitoring and assessing safety performance.”  By developing effective organizational SPIs, we are able to measure and manage the processes to ensure the optimum output with a focus on the precursors of potentially serious events, rather than current visible outcome.

Why to Use Safety Performance Indicators?

Sofema Aviation Services (SAS) www.sassofia.com and Sofema Online (SOL) www.sofemaonline.com are pleased to provide guidance & support to assist 145 organisations on the Road to SMS Implementation compliant with Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2021/1963.

Introduction

The focus of the Part 145 SMS will be to ensure the following:

Sofema Online (SOL) (www.sofemaonline.com) considers the key elements related to the EASA Type Certificate & Restricted Type Certificate

Introduction

Requirements for the issuance of a type certificate or restricted type certificate - Ref 21.A.21(EU) 2019/897)

In order to be issued a product type certificate or, when the aircraft does not meet the essential requirements of Annex II to Regulation (EU) 2018/1139 an aircraft restricted type certificate, the applicant shall:

• Demonstrate its capability in accordance with point 21.A.14
• Comply with point 21.A.20
• Demonstrate that the engine and propeller, if installed in the aircraft:

° Have a type-certificate issued or determined in accordance with this Regulation; or
° Have been demonstrated to be in compliance with the aircraft type-certification basis established and the environmental protection requirements designated and notified by the Agency as necessary to ensure the safe flight of the aircraft

Sofema Aviation Services (SAS) www.sassofia.com Reviews Key Elements of an LVO system

Operators

Low Visibility OPS may only be conducted under strict conditions, which are described fully in Subpart E: Low Visibility Operations (LVO).

Successful low visibility operations require a team effort, correct coordination, and ensuring that all safety levels are maintained throughout the low visibility operational process.

Sofema Online Considers HF Exposures related to Distractions & Interruptions.

Introduction

Industry empirical data indicates that approximately 15% of maintenance related accidents are the result of distractions.

An individual having been distracted or interrupted during a task is usually unaware that an action or step may have been missed or left incomplete.

Distractions are the number one cause of forgetting to do things, however whilst distractions in the workplace cannot be eliminated we should strive to reduce them to a minimum.

Sofema Online considers elements & issues related to Safety Risk Management within an effective Safety Management System.

Introduction - Safety Risk Management

Safety risk management is a generic term that encompasses the assessment and mitigation of the safety risks of the consequences of hazards that threaten the capabilities of an organization, to a level as low as reasonably practicable (ALARP).

SofemaOnline considers the Importance of Encouraging Employee Engagement with the Organisations Safety Management System.

Introduction

The success of SMS is influenced by the willingness of the organisation to reach out and embrace new working methods and change processes, to develop positive changes in organisational and individual culture. If you can do this, improvements in organisational efficiency will usually lead to significant cost savings.

Sofema Online considers the challenge of Managing Errors.

Introduction

To Errоr is to be Human, this is true in aviation as in any other activity, however, aviation is maybe less forgiving and we should understand the outcomes can be catastrophic.

Background

Steve Bentley CEO of Sofema (www.sassofia.com) looks at the challenges and obligations related to the auditing of SMS systems.

SMS is a business system just like any other, so as part of our Compliance Auditing obligations we will be looking at the following elements as suitable for our auditing activities.

a) Management
b) Documentation
c) Competence
d) Training

This Subject will be presented, considered and discussed during the forthcoming Aviation Quality & Safety Management Symposium 2019 May 14 & May 15 at the Holiday Inn Sofia. 

One of the measures of a successful Safety Management System (SMS) within an organisation, is a common understanding throughout the company of what needs to be achieved to deliver the objectives and how it should be done.

Getting Behind the Objective

Provide a unified approach, one in which we all understand our individual roles, bring a common organisational system

Considering ICAO Definition of Safety

ICAO Annex 19 defines safety as ‘the state in which risks associated with aviation activities, related to, or in direct support of the operation of aircraft, are reduced and controlled to an acceptable level’ and safety performance as ‘a service provider’s safety achievement as defined by its safety performance targets and safety performance indicators’.

Challenges to Establish Confidence in Safety Performance?

Whilst it is usual for safety metrics to focus on serious incidents and accidents it is also possible to gain a false impression regarding the overall level of safety due in part to a system with a low number of high consequence negative outcomes, means the low frequency of such outcomes may give the wrong impression that your system is safe.