Air Charter Safety Foundation Urges Rapid Adoption of Safety Management Tools Following Recent Tragic Incidents

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The Air Charter Safety Foundation (ACSF) extends its deepest condolences to the families and friends affected by the recent loss of 10 individuals in aviation accidents. As the industry mourns these tragic events, ACSF emphasizes the critical need for the swift implementation of essential safety systems across all Part 91, 91K, and Part 135 operations.

As we await the outcome of the National Safety Transportation Board investigations and discover root causes, these stark moments act as a reminder to the industry of the need for constant vigilance. No matter the outcome of these investigations, the importance of rapidly adopting vital safety systems throughout all Part 91, 91K, and Part 135 operations has never been more urgent. While regulatory mandates for SMS programs are not expected for a few years, operators can take steps TODAY to improve safety and Just Culture, protecting lives and the industry's health.

ACSF highlights the scalability of safety tools to organizations of all sizes, providing access to proven resources and facilitating the path to safety from single-pilot operations to large-scale unscheduled air carriers. By advocating for industry standardization and the dissemination of safety information, ACSF aims to replicate the success of scheduled airliners in achieving exceptionally low accident and fatality rates.
 
The Pathway to Safety outlined by ACSF includes:

  1. SMS Implementation: ACSF offers SMS Tools and a Member Assistance Program to help organizations deploy robust Safety Management Systems at minimal cost, fostering a Just Culture throughout the industry.

  2. Standardization: ACSF encourages participation in auditing programs such as the Industry Audit Standard (IAS), Wyvern, or ARGUS, BASC which incorporate global standards to ensure the highest levels of safety and operational vigilance.

  3. Data Collection: ACSF advocates for the widespread collection and dissemination of safety data to facilitate a state of zero accidents. As the largest aggregator of Aviation Safety Action Program (ASAP) data in the United States, ACSF promotes participation in the Voluntary Disclosure Reporting Program and aims to expand its data collection efforts in the future.

ACSF calls upon all stakeholders, including operators, passengers, insurers, and industry organizations, to play an active role in advocating for the adoption of these safety tools across all operation types and sizes. At a minimum, ACSF urges the implementation of a working Safety Management System tailored to each operation's unique environment.

Operators are encouraged to join ACSF and take advantage of membership discounts offered through partnering organizations such as Helicopter Association International, and the National Air Transportation Association. By joining ACSF, members support the organization's mission to elevate safety standards across the industry and work towards achieving zero accidents.