Safety is a core value to all business aviation operations. While small flight departments may lack the resources available to larger operations, there are small steps that all operators can take to improve their safety culture. NBAA’s Small Flight Department Subcommittee has developed this list of steps to help small flight departments to better identify and mitigate risk.
Executive Summary
Step 1: Implement Briefings and an Aviation Safety Action Program
Briefings
Implement pre-departure and post-flight crew briefings to discuss any issues pertaining to the flight such as weather, MEL items, fuel loading, etc. Briefings also provide opportunities to check on how each pilot is doing for that flight and whether there are any stressors that need to be discussed. Sample briefings are included in the full PDF version of this resource.
Aviation Safety Action Program
Sign up for an Aviation Safety Action Program (ASAP) to protect yourself while sharing safety incidents. This will also begin the process of reporting safety issues and discussing solutions for events.
Step 2: Implement Flight Risk Assessments
Step 3: Adopt Standard Operating Procedures and Develop an Emergency Response Plan
Standard Operating Procedures
Begin by developing Standard Operating Procedures (SOP). SOPs can be developed through manufacturers manuals and checklists. Then, as you gain experience, create a personalized General Operations Manual (GOM) that outlines general rules for your flight department and a Flight Operations Manual (FOM) that defines how you operate your aircraft.
Emergency Response Plan
Develop a simple Emergency Response Plan (ERP) that sets procedures and policies for your company, should an accident or incident occur with your aircraft. This could be as simple as a one-page checklist with important numbers or additional tasks to accomplish during a stressful time.
Step 4: Implement at Safety Management Process
Continue fostering your safety culture by developing a process that captures potential, or actual, safety issues for review and mitigation. It should be easy to use and allow for both internal and external reporting.
Step 5: Implement Safety Audits and Flight Data Monitoring
Safety Audits
Once you have these tools in place, consider having an outside vendor, or other operator, audit your safety network. This can be done whether you plan to obtain any certifications or not, and will help identify any changes you might need to make to your safety culture.
Flight Data Monitoring
Consider adding some form of Flight Data Monitoring (FDM) to your department. This will assist in evaluating how you operate your airplane, and, if you allow it, provide data to other operators to help identify operational safety issues. FDM takes parameters from some form of data recorder and allows vendors to look at the data for safety trends.
Download Five Simple Steps to a Safer Small Flight Operation (PDF)
International Business Aviation Council Ltd.