Aviation Safety Programs Peers Review 2

Provide a classmate review on their discussion topic :

Assess the impact programs such as LOSA, ASAP, and ASRS have had on aviation safety. Why were these programs started, and what did they hope to achieve? In your discussion, analyze the benefits of both direct observation of aircrew (LOSA) and anonymous self-reporting systems (ASAP/ASRS). Determine if there are any potential negative aspects of such programs and why participation was slow to catch on in some segments of aviation. How do these programs relate to airline CRM programs?

 

Classmate post that you need to post comment/ review on :

 

The aviation industry and the FAA are maturing in their preference for proactive intervention over post-accident remediation. Instead of waiting until after an accident or incident to look for causal factors, the industry is gearing itself towards a more proactive approach  Systems such as the Safety Reporting System (ASRS), which is confidential, non-punitive and is available to all participants in the NAS who wish to voluntarily report safety incidents and situations.  And the Maintenance Aviation Safety Action Program (ASAP), which encourages air carrier and repair station employees to voluntarily report unsafe conditions. Under ASAP, safety issues are resolved through corrective action rather than through punishment or discipline.

These voluntary reporting programs have significantly contributed to the nation’s impressive commercial aviation safety record, including improvements to training as well as enhanced operational and maintenance procedures.  (Jones, T., Takemoto, P., 2019).

Line Operations Safety Assessments (LOSA) address aviation safety proactively, by identifying threats to operational safety, identify and minimize the risks which are the origin of such threats and implement measures to manage the human error aspects of the residual risk. LOSA provides a way to assess the level of organizational resilience to systemic threats from data-driven approach.

In your discussion, analyze the benefits of both direct observation of aircrew (LOSA) and anonymous self-reporting systems (ASAP/ASRS). Determine if there are any potential negative aspects of such programs and why participation was slow to catch on in some segments of aviation. How do these programs relate to airline CRM programs?

For the LOSA program, it allows inspectors/auditors to get a real-time look into an airline or repair station operation.  You get a look into the culture of that organization and its operations, so the need for any change can be identified and implemented as the need is identified. Under ASAP, safety issues are resolved through corrective action rather than through punishment or discipline.  For the anonymous programs (ASAP/ASRS), while they provide an avenue to report safety issues, they also give feedback to all operators and organizations in the form of searchable databases and periodic publications. ASRS issues Safety Alerts, For Your Information notices, and the newsletter Callback. 

All of these programs were designed and implemented with the goal of aviation safety improvement, so clearly there are no negative aspects to these programs except for any perceived punishment the reporting organization might be expecting.  Which is why I believe they were slow to get off the ground and gain any traction with the airlines, the perceived punishment for ‘self-reporting’ issues to the FAA for safety purposes. These ASAP reports and anonymous surveys of employees can provide additional, direct data on the status of CRM, or the effectiveness in line operations.  They can also identify areas needing additional training.