In the wake of several recent fatal private aviation accidents, the Air Charter Safety Foundation (ACSF) is urging the swift implementation of safety management systems (SMS) across the spectrum of Part 91, Part 91K, and Part 135 operations.
At a minimum, the organization is calling on all operators to adopt a working SMS tailored to each company’s unique circumstances. ACSF believes that official mandates for SMS use are likely just a few years away; therefore, it is now calling on all stakeholders to take immediate steps along a “pathway to safety” to protect lives. It aims to foster success in achieving a low accident rate similar to that seen in the U.S. airline sector.
Included in the ACSF plan is the implementation of SMS to foster a just culture throughout the industry. The nonprofit group noted that it offers a variety of SMS tools along with a member assistance program at minimal cost.
ACSF also encourages operator participation in audit-based programs such as the Industry Audit Standard (IAS), Wyvern, or Argus, which incorporate global standards to ensure safety and operational vigilance.
Lastly, as the largest aggregator of aviation safety action program (ASAP) data in the U.S., ACSF advocates for the widespread collection and dissemination of safety data.