Safety Management Systems at Airports Continued from page 41 One tool available to assist in this process is the IS-BAH standard. Next Steps Developing, implementing, and maturing an SMS within the airport industry is undoubtedly a substantial project. So where should an airport team start? ■■ Benjamin J. Goodheart, Ph.D. n Goodheart is an aviation professional with 20 years of experience in the field. His diverse began in aviation line service and has expanded in aviation safety and loss control, training, fessional flying. He has worked in and with a of aviation organizations, including flight organizations, business and general aviation rs, and major airlines, and his varied nce affords him a wide variety of opportunities tice within his passion. Benjamin is an active and researcher focused on novel applications within aviation safety manage ganizational climate and culture. He holds an undergraduate degree in Aerona One tool available to assist in this process is the IS-BAH standard. The IS-BAH standard was developed through a collaborative effort between NATA and the International Business Aviation Council (IBAC); and its stan- dards and recommended practices are the result of industry input to create a framework for aircraft handlers. While IS-BAH may not apply directly to airports, it provides an excellent means of validating the safety man- agement effectiveness of operators who are registered to the standard. Even as a means of accessing best practices, the SMS-centric approach to IS-BAH can be a useful tool for air- ports and their diverse stakeholders as a practical structure for operators to examine, review, and continually improve any business unit. An opera- tor would be wise to question the use of an external standard when Federal regulation is looming, but the final benefit to the IS-BAH standard is that it is developed and reviewed annu- ally in conformity to ICAO Annex 19 Standards and Recommended Practices, which assures that IS-BAH references the same international guidance as the FAA SNPRM. ■ ■ Gap Analysis: An honest and thorough gap analysis helps establish a baseline for safety performance to chart a course to desired safety goals. The gap analysis also helps iden- tify key safety performance indicators to monitor progress throughout implementation. Airports can conduct a gap analysis internally, or may choose to turn to an outside contractor to offer a fresh look at processes for safety. ■■ Program Development: There are a number of ways to develop the necessary components of offices in Golden, CO and Plano, TX. Benjamin has extensive experience in aviation safety management, planning, and accident investigation. He is an ATP-rated pilot and flight instructor, and he holds a Ph.D. with a research focus on general aviation safety. To learn more about how AirSure can help you manage risk, call 303-526-5300 or visit AirSure Limited on the web at airsure.com. Aviation Business Journal | 1st Quarter 2017 43 ■■ Commitment: Before begin- ning SMS development, the airport has to educate senior leadership, governance bod- ies, and stakeholder leadership about the benefits of systematic, business-based approaches to safety management. Without management support, financial and otherwise, implementation of SMS is unlikely to succeed. Commitment must also focus on grassroots education about the purpose of SMS and the key role all members of the airport team play in providing feedback within the system. Training: Training helps estab- lish safety as a core value within the organizational culture. the SMS, but for most airports, the most logical is to approach the task as an evolutionary, phased process. Here again, a consulting firm may be useful to reduce development time and assist with initial training and start-up. NATA has a num- ber of excellent training and support solutions to ease the development process as well. Using the many available resources in the aviation community can help jump start SMS development; and airports must remain cognizant of the many unique challenges from one airport to the next. No one solution will apply to all airports, but care- ful planning, and working to stay in front of legislation, will help airports prepare for the transition to a safety management system that will enable systematic safety management, even as the industry continues its rapid growth in volume and complexity. Dr. Benjamin Goodheart manages aviation claims and safety strategies for AirSure Limited, the country’s largest general aviation insurance broker, with
