FAA

Airports

Part 139 Safety Management System (SMS)

Implementation Study

November 2011 Roundtable Meeting Summary
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November 2011 Roundtable Meeting Summary Airports

Table of Contents

Executive Summary..............................................................................................................................5

Background...........................................................................................................................................6

Study Tasks...........................................................................................................................................6

Documentation......................................................................................................................................7

Summary of the Roundtable Meeting.................................................................................................7

Session 1: Welcome, Introductions, Update on FAA Activities, and Meeting Expectations........8

Session 2: Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport............................................................9

Safety Risk Assessments......................................................................................................9

Information Technology (IT) Solutions .................................................................................10

Reporting............................................................................................................................11

Safety Assurance................................................................................................................11

Other Lessons Learned.......................................................................................................11

Session 3: Dubuque Regional Airport..............................................................................................13

Safety Risk Assessments....................................................................................................13

IT Solutions.........................................................................................................................13

Reporting............................................................................................................................14

Safety Assurance................................................................................................................15

Other Lessons Learned.......................................................................................................15

Session 4: Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport .........................................................................16

Safety Risk Assessments....................................................................................................16

IT Solutions.........................................................................................................................17

Reporting............................................................................................................................17

Safety Assurance................................................................................................................18

Other Lessons Learned.......................................................................................................19

Session 5: Indianapolis International Airport ..................................................................................20

Safety Risk Assessment......................................................................................................20

IT Solutions.........................................................................................................................22

Reporting............................................................................................................................23

Other Lessons Learned.......................................................................................................23

Session 6: Jacksonville International Airport..................................................................................24

Stakeholders.......................................................................................................................24

Safety Risk Assessments....................................................................................................24

IT Solutions/Reporting.........................................................................................................25

Other Lessons Learned.......................................................................................................26

Session 7: Pittsburgh International Airport .....................................................................................27

Safety Risk Assessments....................................................................................................27

IT Solutions.........................................................................................................................28

Safety Promotion ................................................................................................................28

Other Lessons Learned.......................................................................................................28

Session 8: San Antonio International Airport..................................................................................29
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November 2011 Roundtable Meeting Summary Airports

Safety Risk Assessments....................................................................................................29

IT Solutions.........................................................................................................................30

Reporting............................................................................................................................30

Safety Assurance................................................................................................................30

Safety Promotion ................................................................................................................30

Other Lessons Learned.......................................................................................................30

Session 9: South Bend Regional Airport .........................................................................................31

Safety Risk Assessments....................................................................................................31

IT Solutions.........................................................................................................................34

Reporting............................................................................................................................34

Safety Assurance................................................................................................................34

Other Lessons Learned.......................................................................................................35

Session 10: Seattle-Tacoma International Airport...........................................................................36

Safety Risk Assessments....................................................................................................37

IT Solutions.........................................................................................................................38

Safety Assurance................................................................................................................38

Safety Promotion ................................................................................................................39

Other Lessons Learned.......................................................................................................40

Session 11: Tallahassee Regional Airport .......................................................................................41

Safety Risk Assessments....................................................................................................41

IT Solutions/Reporting.........................................................................................................41

Safety Assurance................................................................................................................42

Safety Promotion ................................................................................................................42

Other Lessons Learned.......................................................................................................42

Session 12: Toledo Express Airport.................................................................................................43

Safety Risk Assessments....................................................................................................43

IT Solutions.........................................................................................................................44

Reporting............................................................................................................................44

Safety Assurance................................................................................................................44

Safety Promotion ................................................................................................................45

Other Lessons Learned.......................................................................................................45

Session 13: Cheyenne Regional Airport ..........................................................................................46

Safety Risk Assessments....................................................................................................46

IT Solutions.........................................................................................................................48

Reporting............................................................................................................................48

Safety Assurance................................................................................................................48

Other Lessons Learned.......................................................................................................49

Session 14: Southern Illinois Airport................................................................................................50

Safety Risk Assessments....................................................................................................50

IT Solutions/Reporting.........................................................................................................50

Safety Assurance................................................................................................................51

Other Lessons Learned.......................................................................................................51

Session 15: The Ohio State University Airport................................................................................52

Safety Risk Assessments....................................................................................................52
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IT Solutions/Reporting.........................................................................................................52

Safety Assurance................................................................................................................53

Other Lessons Learned.......................................................................................................53

Session 16: Lessons Learned/Best Practices .................................................................................54

SMS Manual .......................................................................................................................54

Safety Policy.......................................................................................................................54

Safety Risk Management ....................................................................................................54

Safety Assurance................................................................................................................55

Safety Promotion ................................................................................................................55

Appendix 1: Meeting Agenda ............................................................................................................56

Appendix 2: Sign-in Sheets ...............................................................................................................58
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November 2011 Roundtable Meeting Summary Airports

Executive Summary

On November 2 and 3, 2011, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) hosted a Roundtable

Meeting for the 14 airports participating in the Part 139 Safety Management System (SMS)

Implementation Study. The intent of the study was to examine how airports certificated under 14

Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 139, Certification of Airports, apply the elements of the

Safety Risk Management (SRM) and Safety Assurance components of SMS to their airfield

environments. With most participants nearly finished with the Study tasks, the FAA requested that

each airport present its findings, lessons learned, benefits, and challenges. This report

summarizes those presentations.

This Pilot Study and Roundtable Meeting Summary is separate from the FAA’s ongoing

rulemaking project, Safety Management Systems for Certificated Airports (RIN 2120-AJ38, Notice

of Proposed Rulemaking published on October 7, 2010, at 75 FR 62008). Findings, lessons

learned, and best practices may be incorporated in FAA Advisory Circular (AC) 150/5200-37,

Introduction to SMS for Airport Operators, but the FAA does not plan to use information from this

pilot study as part of the rulemaking project because the comment period on the NPRM closed on

July 5, 2011. Nevertheless, this document is being placed in the rulemaking docket.
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November 2011 Roundtable Meeting Summary Airports

Background

In May 2010, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) initiated the Part 139 SMS

Implementation Study (Study) as a follow-on to the two previous Airport SMS Pilot Studies. The

Study was intended to examine how airports certificated under 14 Code of Federal Regulations

(CFR) Part 139, Certification of Airports, apply the elements of the Safety Risk Management

(SRM) and Safety Assurance components of SMS to their airfield environments. For all

participants, this meant implementing provisions of their SMS within the movement area (e.g.,

runways and taxiways) of the airport. Some participants also chose to apply SMS to their nonmovement areas (e.g., ramps, aprons, bag-makeup areas).

The Study gave the FAA an opportunity to assess implementation of SMS within various

operating environments and to evaluate the validity of SMS documentation developed during the

Airport SMS Pilot Studies. The FAA intended to use the Study findings as it developed SMS

standards and guidance for certificated airports throughout the nation.

Only airports that participated in the previous Airport SMS Pilot Studies could participate because

deliverables developed during those Studies served as the foundation for the Implementation

Study tasks.

Fourteen airports chose to participate in the Study. All 14 airports applied for Airport Improvement

Program (AIP) assistance and received awards ranging from $78,000 to $500,000.

Participants had 12 months from AIP grant award to complete the study. The final report was due

within 13 months of AIP grant award. The FAA granted some extensions on a case-by-case

basis. Due to different AIP grant award dates, participants completed their work between October

2011 and February 2012.

Study Tasks

1. Implement SRM procedures, processes, or policies as formulated under the airport’s

SMS Manual or other documentation developed for the airport during the Airport SMS

Pilot Studies.

2. Conduct at least three safety risk analyses/assessments, not including any

analyses/assessments required under the FAA Air Traffic Organization SMS.

3. Implement a safety reporting and/or data collection system or applicable processes in

conformance with the airport’s SMS Manual or other documentation developed for the

airport during the Airport SMS Pilot Studies.

4. Collect hazard reports, incidents, accident reports, and other safety-related

data/information identified in the airport’s SMS Manual or other applicable

documentation.

5. Analyze the information collected through the reporting and/or data collection system or

applicable processes.
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6. Conduct an internal audit/evaluation following the methods and procedures prescribed

under the Safety Assurance component of the airport’s SMS Manual or applicable

documentation.

Documentation

Participating airports first submitted plans detailing how they planned to complete study tasks,

including proposed safety risk analyses/assessments. They also submitted monthly reports on

the status of Study tasks and deliverables. Each participant was to develop a final report detailing

Study findings and deliverables, including copies of changes made to the airport’s SMS Manual

or other documentation. The Study also required participants to document the usefulness of any

software procured; costs associated with development, procurement, or maintenance of software;

and any challenges or lessons learned related to SRM and Safety Assurance.

Summary of the Roundtable Meeting

Over the course of the study, the FAA hosted regular teleconferences with participants. The FAA

also hosted meetings at FAA Headquarters in Washington, DC, in January 2011 and November

2011. The one-day January meeting permitted participants to report on their mid-point findings

and discuss challenges with their peers and with the FAA. The two-day November meeting

allowed participants to report on their findings, lessons learned, challenges, and benefits gained

through participation in the Study. Both meetings resulted in productive discussions. The

following report summarizes the November 2011 meeting sessions, including participant

presentations. These presentation are also available at

http://www.faa.gov/airports/airport_safety/safety_management_systems/.

Each airport developed a 15-minute presentation. As some participants had not completed all

Study tasks at the time of the November 2011 meeting, the presentations did not all follow the

same format.

Appendix A includes the meeting agenda. Attendees agreed to combine the two summary

sessions scheduled for Thursday, November 3, in the interest of time and to ensure all

participants had an opportunity to present their findings.

Appendix B includes the sign-in sheet for both days of the November 2011 meeting. Some

attendees participated via teleconference.
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Session 1: Welcome, Introductions, Update on FAA Activities, and Meeting

Expectations

Presented by: Michael O’Donnell (FAA) and Keri Spencer (FAA)

After introductions and logistical notes, Michael O’Donnell and Keri Spencer thanked the airports

and their consultants for attending the Roundtable Meeting and participating in the Study. Citing

the importance of the Study, they noted that all of the Pilot Studies have expanded our knowledge

of SMS.

Mr. O’Donnell noted the FAA plans to incorporate the findings, lessons learned, and best

practices into its update to FAA Advisory Circular (AC) 150/5200-37, Introduction to SMS for

Airport Operators, which will be the “nuts and bolts” of how to apply SMS. After the anticipated

spring 2012 release of a draft version of this AC, interested parties will have 60 days to provide

comments.

Attendees were then reminded there would be no discussion related to the Part 139 SMS

rulemaking activities during the meeting. Ex parte communication rules prohibit the agency from

discussing the rule once the comment period closes. One attendee asked how the industry could

hear about the status of the rulemaking. An attorney with the FAA’s Office of Chief Counsel

explained that once the rulemaking package leaves the agency, the FAA has less control over

timelines. Anyone interested in the rulemaking status can view it on the Department of

Transportation’s website at http://regs.dot.gov/rulemakings/index.htm.
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Session 2: Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport

Presented by: Scott Ayers (Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport)

PowerPoint Presentation (available for public viewing)

After providing an overview of the ownership, physical layout, and statistics of the HartsfieldJackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL), Mr. Ayers summarized ATL‘s SMS implementation.

Safety Risk Assessments

ATL chose to expand the five-step SRM process (describe the system, identify the hazards,

determine the risk, assess and analyze the risk, and treat the risk) described in FAA AC

150/5200-37, Introduction to SMS for Airport Operators, by including a sixth step: risk

management and risk reduction. The airport believed that “tracking” risk and mitigations,

including their implementation and effects, was as important as the other SRM steps. Hence,

ATL added “Risk Management and Reduction” and multiple sub-steps to its SRM process. (See

Figure 2.1)

Figure 2.1: Excerpt from Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport’s Safety Risk Assessment Process (Courtesy of

Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport)

ATL completed three safety risk assessments (SRAs), analyzing hazards associated with vehicle

traffic, foreign object debris (FOD), and the Taxiway D conversion from movement to nonmovement area access. All three SRAs used subject matter expert panels, but two had FAA

facilitators and one was facilitated by ACE/ESIS, the airport’s consultant on the Study.

The airport noted that SRA panels require a substantial amount of time. Of its three SRAs, ATL

did not complete any of them within a six-hour, one-day session. ATL believed a better format

would be four-hour, two-day sessions. Scheduling conflicts of key participants was also a

challenge. During the Taxiway D Conversion SRA, the airport discovered that without key

stakeholders and experts on the panel, the airport had to delay panel meetings or reconvene the

panel at a later date.
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ATL chose to use an SRM process similar to that used by the FAA Air Traffic Organization (ATO)

and found it challenging to determine who was responsible for accepting known risks for shared

areas under the SRA. FAA’s ATO SMS Manual clearly identifies signature and authority levels

for FAA personnel, but not for non-FAA organizations. Based on the SRAs completed during the

Study, ATL found that similar responsibilities must be assigned for the airport interacting with the

FAA.

Overall, ATL found the SRA process to be helpful in effectively evaluating hazards with

construction projects and changes on the airfield.

Information Technology (IT) Solutions

ATL currently uses GCR’s Airport Security and Operations Compliance System (ASOCS) to

assist with recordkeeping and Part 139 compliance. For this Study, the airport chose to expand

the use of ASOCS to include SMS-related data research, report generation, and search

capability.

ATL used ASOCS for data analysis and provided examples of its application. For example, the

airport isolated areas of the airport to install traps by analyzing wildlife sighting information

recorded in ASOCS. They caught three coyotes in a week and attributed that success to the data

reporting and analysis functions of ASOCS.

ATL believed the ASOCS database system was beneficial for both Part 139 compliance and SMS

reporting.

ATL also created its own forms, including an SMS “dashboard”, to provide managers with a visual

depiction of key SMS-related performance indicators and targets. (See Figure 2.2) ATL’s

dashboard reported FOD calls, wildlife sightings/incidents, incident reporting, and HAZMAT spills.

ATL liked the dashboard concept and believed it could be an industry standard for regularly

communicating SMS information to airport management. ATL admitted that the dashboard is still

in its early stages and that the airport is using GCR’s program and the dashboard as a

“blackboard” for sketching out a future model for reporting, data records, and trend analysis.

The airport planned to use the dashboard in the future to supplement ASOCS data with trend

analysis and tracking capabilities.
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Figure 2.2: Sample Dashboard (Courtesy of Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport)

Reporting

ATL reported that while airport staff had been forthcoming in reporting under the SMS, corporate

tenants viewed data reporting differently. Due to the tenants’ vested interest in their companies’

reputations and a view that data shared with the airport would become publicly available, some

tenants openly chose to not participate in data sharing or reporting. However, tenants still

participated in SMS-related workgroups.

ATL found that while the use of data in SMS is critical, most entities are still reluctant to share

data unless it can be sanitized. ATL had to persuade tenants that data sharing is important to the

success of SMS.

Safety Assurance

To complete the Study’s Safety Assurance tasks, ATL used a performance assessment tool

developed by ESIS, its insurance carrier. ESIS based the tool on the FAA’s Notice of Proposed

Rulemaking for SMS for Certificated Airports.

Other Lessons Learned

The significance of stakeholder engagement was one of the airport’s most important lessons

learned. ATL identified its stakeholders, including local government, federal government, airport
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tenants, and airport staff. The airport believed having all tenants participate in the development of

SMS was essential to a successful program. At ATL, stakeholders worked together through the

ATL SMS Working Group, which encouraged participation in SMS initiatives and the sharing of

safety information. ATL also believed the airport’s SMS Committee provided a structured forum

for discussion and engaged stakeholders in specific areas of interest so their concerns could be

raised and taken into account. ATL believed these working groups provided cohesive business

relationships in the development and refinement of the SMS.

ATL believed the airport now has a robust SMS with more resources and tools, a refined SMS

Manual, and an informed staff. ATL believed this initiative will enhance safety and allow the

airport to realistically and efficiently balance safety and operations.
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November 2011 Roundtable Meeting Summary Airports

Session 3: Dubuque Regional Airport

Presented by: Allen Parra (Applied Research Associates (ARA))

PowerPoint Presentation (available for public viewing)

Mr. Parra gave an overview of the ownership, physical layout, and statistics of the Dubuque

Regional Airport (DBQ) and then summarized DBQ’s SMS implementation.

Safety Risk Assessments

Before conducting its SRAs, DBQ reviewed, assessed, and updated the SMS Manual it

developed during the Airport SMS Pilot Studies. To determine what three hazards/issues to

assess, ARA initiated discussions with the airport’s SMS Coordinator (Airport Operations

Supervisor) and DBQ staff.

The three completed SRAs analyzed hazards associated with the airport’s Airport Operations

Area (AOA) Driver Training Program, aircraft towing operations, and construction safety for its

new terminal, ramp, taxiways, and service road. DBQ used a subject matter expert panel for

analysis.

DBQ identified the following lessons learned for SRAs:

 The need to limit scope and time when conducting an SRA. General topics like

“construction” are more difficult to analyze using the five-step SRM process. Third-party

facilitation helps maintain focus.

 A combination of key stakeholders and subject matter experts is essential to success.

 Stakeholders/subject matter experts should be briefed on the hazard/issue and the SRM

process before starting.

 During the first panel meeting, subject matter experts should receive a preliminary list of

hazards.

DBQ discovered panels helped participants view their jobs in different ways. For example,

brainstorming activities helped participants understand the impact their work had on other

activities and organizations.

While DBQ invited FAA organizations to participate in the SRA panels, FAA staff did not attend. A

Representative from the airport’s contract Air Traffic Control Tower did participate in the SRA.

IT Solutions

DBQ said the backbone of its SMS safety reporting system is an asset management system.

Through an SMS Module, which ARA developed with Cartegraph, the existing system provides

SMS recordkeeping and reporting functions, including reporting for incidents, hazards, and safety

concerns. (See Figure 3.1) The system includes location information (via Geographical

Information System) and tracking capability. DBQ explained it also uses the system for enhanced
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November 2011 Roundtable Meeting Summary Airports

Part 139 discrepancy reporting and tracking, and since other city departments use the asset

management, it offers economies of scale.

Upon completing the Study, DBQ identified the following best management practices for IT

solutions:

 Begin coordinating the SMS portal development, schematic framework, and software

solution early in SMS development/implementation if an IT solution is used for hazard

reporting, analysis, or tracking.

 Explore potential conflicts before deploying the system if the SMS portal will interface

with other airport systems.

 Link hazard reporting fields/data to work order fields for immediate action by maintenance

departments to provide time efficiencies.

Figure 3.1: DBQ Screen Shot, Hazard Data, and SRM (Courtesy of ARA)

Reporting

DBQ’s old method for incident and hazard reporting focused on reactive reporting through paper

or electronic transmission. The airport stored documents in multiple locations, which made

distribution for management review cumbersome, labor intensive, and at times inconsistent. This

reactive process challenged effective trend analysis.

Under SMS, DBQ automated its hazard and incident reporting. The airport explained it now works

in a virtually paperless environment, which allows for consistent formatting, archiving, and

permanent recordkeeping. The system:

 Allows hazard reporting via smartphone by airport operations employees.
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November 2011 Roundtable Meeting Summary Airports

 Links locations to the airport’s Geographic Information System (GIS).

 Allows image uploads where appropriate.

 Provides the general public the ability to report hazards, although these reports are

typically not airside related.

 Will include an anonymous reporting capability with the next software upgrade.

DBQ said supervisors review all reports and determine the course of action for response. With

this centralized data repository, DBQ believed it had moved to a more proactive response

capability that enabled hazard mitigation.

Safety Assurance

In July 2011, ARA conducted the internal program evaluation for the Study’s Safety Assurance

task. ARA used the methodology described in the Airport Cooperative Research Program Report

1, Safety Management Systems for Airports, Volume 2: Guidebook (2010). ARA came to several

conclusions during this evaluation:

 Positive attitudes provided evidence of staff awareness of SMS and SRM.

 There were signs of a positive safety culture.

 The SMS efforts in the airport’s operations and maintenance programs are highly visible.

 Hazards are reported and analyzed, including the use of trend analysis and/or

investigation.

 Management understanding of SMS (or the military’s Operational Risk Management)

helps buy-in and support.

The evaluation identified areas for improvement, including continuing implementation efforts and

integrating SMS concepts into the airport’s existing safety programs.

Other Lessons Learned

The airport planned to continue evolving its SMS. DBQ said it planned to further revise its SMS

Manual and develop a training program for all airport staff, tenants, and stakeholders. DBQ

developed its Safety Policy and incorporated it into the SMS Manual. The airport believed its

Safety Policy encouraged employees to report safety issues.
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November 2011 Roundtable Meeting Summary Airports

Session 4: Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport

Presented by: Julie Schreacke (Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport)

PowerPoint Presentation (available for public viewing)

After providing an overview of the ownership, physical layout, and statistics of the Dallas/Fort

Worth International Airport (DFW), Ms. Schreacke summarized DFW’s SMS implementation.

At the start of the Study, DFW dedicated a position, the SMS Administrator, to SMS

implementation/oversight; Ms. Schreacke holds this position. Although she did not have a staff

during the Study, Ms. Schreacke stated the airport anticipates needing additional personnel for

data management analysis. She explained that under DFW’s organizational structure, the SMS

Administrator is involved in the investigative process, collects information, and follows up as

appropriate but operates on a “peer” management basis. DFW identified the Executive Vice

President of Operations as the airport’s Accountable Executive.

Safety Risk Assessments

Before conducting its three SRAs, DFW reviewed its SRM processes as defined in the SMS

Manual developed during the Airport SMS Pilot Studies. ARA, the airport’s consultant for the

Study, initiated discussions with the SMS Administrator to determine which hazards/issues the

airport would analyze for the Study. Topic selection was a collaborative effort.

The airport’s SRAs identified the hazards and associated risks associated with surface incidents

in the movement area, winter weather operations, and ramp construction safety. DFW used a

subject matter expert panel for these assessments due to the complexity and integrated nature of

the issues. However, DFW also used a “screening” process to conduct proactive, formalized SRM

on simpler issues or hazards. The SMS Administrator conducted this screening.

Upon completion of the SRAs, the airport identified several lessons learned and best practices:

 When using a subject matter expert panel, panel members must consistently attend

meetings.

 Panel participants should be familiar with the risk matrix before coming to meetings. DFW

used an introductory program to give participants an idea of what to expect.

 Scheduling conflicts make it difficult to arrange meetings with subject matter experts.

 Each meeting should last no more than four hours and be held over multiple days.

 Panels should be small or split participants into sub-panels for analysis.

 General topics, such as winter weather operations, were much more difficult to analyze.

Topics should be narrowed for meaningful analysis.

 Developing an initial preliminary hazard list prior to panel meetings can save time and

help guide panel discussion.

During the Study, ARA suggested the use of a risk-based approach to analyze wildlife hazards at

DFW. As this topic still requires further industry research, guidance, and standardization, the
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November 2011 Roundtable Meeting Summary Airports

airport said it is open to investigating a risk-based approach to wildlife hazard management for

high-risk prioritization of management activities.

IT Solutions

DFW developed its integrated safety report and SRM process software in-house. The airport

learned that selection of SMS software early in implementation is a key to success.

Like other airports, DFW used its asset/fleet management software (Infor EAM) as the base

platform for SMS hazard reporting and tracking. DFW added fields to help report incidents,

choosing to require only key information so as not to overload staff and managers when reporting

and reviewing. The SMS fields allowed staff and management to highlight reports and flag those

that represented hazards and safety significant events. The system could automatically generate

email notifications to eliminate variability in user-generated emails.

DFW purchased laptops for field reporting, although they were not yet in use at the time of the

meeting. Once deployed, reporters will be able to include location information using the airport’s

GIS technology.

Reporting

DFW developed an integrated four-step process associated with hazard identification, reporting,

analysis, and decision-making. (See Figure 4.1)

Before adopting this integrated approach, DFW recorded incident or hazard reporting on paper or

as “free text” in a simple database. Documentation and narrative incident reports were often

stored in multiple places, which contributed to a cumbersome, labor-intensive, and inconsistent

reporting system. DFW had no streamlined ability to collect, compare, analyze, and manage

incidents and hazards.

The airport explained that hazards are now identified throughout the airport environment and

relayed to the Airport Operations Center(AOC)/Call Center by phone, radio, web/network, or the

Airport Traffic Control Tower (ATCT). AOC/Call Center Staff record the hazard, which the SMS

Administrator then screens. The SMS Administrator determines the level of analysis required and

passes the issue along to an SRM panel when necessary.
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November 2011 Roundtable Meeting Summary Airports

Figure 4.1: DFW Safety Reporting (Courtesy of Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport)

With this integrated approach, DFW moved to a paperless, green reporting process that provides

a consistent ability to archive permanent records. DFW realized workload and operational

efficiencies and now has an incident and hazard data warehouse that allows for analysis and

incident/hazard management.

Safety Assurance

ARA conducted internal program evaluations using the methodology described in the Airports

Cooperative Research Program Report 1, Safety Management Systems for Airports, Volume 2:

Guidebook (2010). ARA reached several conclusions from these evaluations:

 There was evidence of staff awareness of SMS and SRM.

 SMS was highly visible in the Operations Department; other departments were interested

in integration.

 There were signs of safety culture transformation.

 Safety data was being reported, analyzed, trended, and investigated.
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November 2011 Roundtable Meeting Summary Airports

The evaluations also identified areas for improvement, including the need to continue

implementing the airport’s SMS Manual and to integrate SMS concepts into existing safety

programs and other airport departments. DFW said it plans to integrate SMS concepts into its

ramp activities and generate an online SMS indoctrination training program.

Other Lessons Learned

At the time of the meeting, portions of DFW’s SMS, including its Safety Policy Statement, were

still in draft. However, the airport was continuing SMS implementation and had developed a

“roadmap” for its future under SMS. DFW said it views SMS as a transformation of the business

and not just a possible future regulation. To help with implementation, DFW planned to establish

SMS points of contact in each department.
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November 2011 Roundtable Meeting Summary Airports

Session 5: Indianapolis International Airport

Presented by: Trisha Sqrow (Indianapolis Airport Authority) and Dave Fleet (Dave Fleet

Consulting)

PowerPoint Presentation (available for public viewing)

After offering an overview of the ownership, physical layout, and statistics of Indianapolis

International Airport (IND), Ms. Sqrow and Mr. Fleet summarized the status of the airport’s SMS

implementation. IND appointed its Chief Operating Officer as the Accountable Executive. The

Senior Airport Duty Manager and Health, Safety, and Claims Manager shared responsibilities for

implementing the SMS, supported by a team made up of representatives from each division (e.g.,

engineering, fire, IT, planning, and operations).

Safety Risk Assessment

IND conducted four SRAs, identifying hazards associated with landside terminal escalators and

moving walkways, commercial ramp operations (e.g., use of ramp for activities not originally

intended), the airport’s Capital Improvement Program processes, and line of sight issues from the

ATCT.

As a result of the first assessments, the airport modified its likelihood and severity classifications

and risk matrix. The new risk matrix, which the airport planned to use for the fourth SRA, included

three additional “yellow” boxes to represent airport experience and no longer split the bottom right

corner into two risk levels. (See Figures 5.1 and 5.2) IND found that formulating definitions was

an important best practice in developing the SMS and SRM processes. IND believed airportcentric severity and likelihood definitions and risk matrices made SMS scalable.
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November 2011 Roundtable Meeting Summary Airports

Likelihood:

Frequently Occurs once every month or 5,600 commercial operations or 336,000 enplanements

Probable Occurs once every year or 68,000 commercial operations or 4,000,000 enplanements

Remote Occurs once every 5 years or 340,000 commercial operations or 20,000,000 enplanements

Extremely

Remote Occurs once every 10 years or 680,000 commercial operations or 40,000,000 enplanements

Extremely

Improbable

Occurs once every 20 years or over 1,360,000 commercial operations or 80,000,000

enplanements

Severity:

People Assets Environmental Reputation

Catastrophic Fatality+

Loss of an aircraft/or over

$1,000,000 dollars in damage/or

loss of critical system(s) for an

extended period of time

A spill or release that is

not contained and

results in long-term

damage to the

environment and fines

to the airport

An event or a

series of events

resulting in the

community NOT

using IND for an

extended period

of time

Hazardous

Severe injury,

requiring

hospitalization

Damage to an aircraft taking it

out of service for an extended

period of time/or damage in

excess of $500,000/or

disruption of critical services

for extended period of time

A reportable spill or

release that requires

mitigation

An event or a

series of events

resulting in the

community

lessoning the

use of IND

causing negative

(annual) financial

or operational

impacts

Major

Minor injury

requiring

medical

treatment

Damage to an aircraft that is

repairable/or damage to

equipment or facility that is

reparable within a short period

of time.

A reportable spill or

release that is

contained

An event or a

series of events

resulting in the

community

lessoning the

use of IND for a

short period of

time

Minor

Minor injury not

requiring

medical

treatment

Minor damage to an aircraft,

equipment, or facility not

requiring it to be taken out of

service

A spill or release that

does not require a

report

An event or a

series of events

resulting in the

community

questioning the

reliability of IND

No Safety

Effect

No injury No Damage No Impact No Impact

Figure 5.1: IND’s Revised Likelihood and Severity Classifications/Definitions (Courtesy of Indianapolis Airport Authority)
Part 139 SMS Implementation Study Issued May 2012 Page 22 of 62

November 2011 Roundtable Meeting Summary Airports

Severity

No Safety

Effect Minor Major Hazardous Catastrophic

Likelihood

Frequently

Probable

Remote

Extremely

Remote

Extremely

Improbable

Low Medium High

No Action Required Monitor, Determine if Risk can

be Mitigated to a Low Risk

Must be Mitigated to a Medium

Risk

Figure 5.2: IND’s Revised Safety Risk Matrix (Courtesy of Indianapolis Airport Authority)

Although not complete by the November 2011 meeting, the fourth SRA of the ATCT line of site

issues already presented challenges. Both the airport and ATCT staff questioned whether

simulations should be conducted before the SRA and who should initiate or “own” the SRA. Also,

this was the first such Safety Assessment led by the airport instead of FAA’s ATO.

IND had good participation in the SRAs, including by FAA offices. The airport found it beneficial to

have good relationships with stakeholders when conducting these assessments.

IT Solutions

The airport selected TRA Industry Safe software and used the safety performance metrics

provided by the platform. TRA provided a wide range of internet-based options, so data security

was critical. IND planned to integrate the software into its maintenance system.

The software allowed anyone to report a hazard—even the general public—through the main

airport website. It also allowed hazard coding so the airport could flag Part 139 compliancerelated hazards and discrepancies for immediate resolution.

Previously, data was kept in a file cabinet in the Health, Safety and Claims Manager’s office and

on an electronic spreadsheet. Under SMS, the airport planned to host the new system off-site to
Part 139 SMS Implementation Study Issued May 2012 Page 23 of 62

November 2011 Roundtable Meeting Summary Airports

better protect the data. The airport negotiated dedicated server space and the ability to retrieve

data from TRA’s servers if the airport chooses to contract with a different vendor in the future.

The airport said it is exploring tablet technology for its operations staff to allow remote, real-time

reporting.

Reporting

To find meaningful information, IND believed:

 Reporting should be integrated with existing programs and IT where possible.

 Managers should review data to find key performance indicators for use in SMS reporting

and trend analysis.

 Airports should use periodic reviews—weekly, monthly, or annually—to accomplish this

data review.

IND found some stakeholders better at reporting and documenting issues than others. They also

experienced challenges in getting stakeholders to formally document hazards instead of just

taking action. IND planned to use its Call Center as one point of report collection.

Other Lessons Learned

IND intended to continue evolving its SMS Manual. For example, it planned to add key

performance indicators to the Manual as a way to “keep the pulse” on overall safety assets at the

airport.
Part 139 SMS Implementation Study Issued May 2012 Page 24 of 62

November 2011 Roundtable Meeting Summary Airports

Session 6: Jacksonville International Airport

Presented by: Roger Studenski (Jacksonville Aviation Authority)

PowerPoint Presentation (available for public viewing)

Mr. Studenski began with a brief overview of Jacksonville International Airport’s (JAX’s) SMS

development and implementation. JAX adopted SMS immediately and started implementation in

May 2008, before the Part 139 SMS Implementation Study. Mr. Studenski noted that the Chief

Executive Officer supports SMS unequivocally and thinks SMS makes good business sense. JAX

applied its SMS to the airside, landside, parking areas, and adjacent roadway environments. Mr.

Studenski noted that Jacksonville Aviation Authority decided to deploy SMS to its other system

airports, including Cecil Airport, a general aviation airport recently designated as a spaceport.

Stakeholders

At the time of the Study, there were 251 airport employees operating at the airport. Delta Airlines,

the airport’s principal airline, declined to participate in the airport’s SMS activities due to data

protection issues. Other airlines appeared cooperative in the beginning, but hazard reporting has

since slowed significantly. One fixed base operator (FBO) has not used the reporting system

because of corporate direction.

The airport took what it called a “holistic approach” to SMS, attempting to include various

stakeholders—such as air carriers, charters, and FBOs—in the development and implementation

of its SMS. During implementation, JAX found that turnover within these stakeholder

organizations made SMS training a challenge.

JAX believed that Safety Promotion within the airport and among its stakeholders should be

constant. Airport staff discussed safety information during monthly station manager meetings,

safety committee meetings, and airline meetings. JAX also believed that tenant participation was

crucial for SMS success.

Safety Risk Assessments

JAX used two methods for conducting SRAs. For simple hazards or issues, the SMS Manager

conducted the basic analysis. For more complex issues, the SMS Manager looked at the data

and decided whether a formal SRA should be conducted. JAX believed the SMS Manager should

be well trained to gather data, conduct analyses, and run the formal safety risk assessments to

conduct this type of screening.

While conducting its SRAs, JAX questioned the reasonableness of mitigating all “high risk”

hazards. JAX believed that some hazards may require extreme remedies to mitigate to a medium

or low risk. For example, to mitigate the issue of burrowing animals, the airport would need to

install 18 miles of buried fence, a costly remedy.
Part 139 SMS Implementation Study Issued May 2012 Page 25 of 62

November 2011 Roundtable Meeting Summary Airports

IT Solutions/Reporting

As of November 2011, JAX used an online hazard reporting system by eRisk that allowed anyone

to report hazards using a pre-defined form with drop-down menus. (See Figure 6.1) For the

general public, JAX included pictures of common airport items for easier reporting and

consistency. The SMS Manager received immediate notification when a report was submitted and

could enter the system to screen the hazard, determining the level of analysis or action required.

Figure 6.1: JAX SMS Online Reporting Form (Courtesy of Jacksonville Aviation Authority)

Reporters could see the status and resolution of an issue using the Bulletin Board function. (See

Figure 6.2) After the system’s next update, reporters will be able to identify the hazard’s location

using an airport layout plan.

Figure 6.2: JAX SMS Public Bulletin Board (Courtesy of Jacksonville Aviation Authority)
Part 139 SMS Implementation Study Issued May 2012 Page 26 of 62

November 2011 Roundtable Meeting Summary Airports

JAX used the eRisk software to create the SRA and to develop its dashboard, which provided a

visual depiction of key safety activities on both the airside and landside of the airport. (See Figure

6.3)

Figure 6.3: Sample JAX Dashboard (Courtesy of Jacksonville Aviation Authority)

Other Lessons Learned

The airport admitted its biggest transition was going from a non-punitive reporting system to a

confidential reporting system. The airport was exploring the use of its airfield video cameras as

tools for training. They believed video could be useful for identifying and showing reported

infractions to promote a safety-minded culture.
Part 139 SMS Implementation Study Issued May 2012 Page 27 of 62

November 2011 Roundtable Meeting Summary Airports

Session 7: Pittsburgh International Airport

Presented by: Kurt Sopp (Allegheny County Airport Authority)

PowerPoint Presentation (available for public viewing)

Mr. Sopp provided an overview of Pittsburgh International Airport’s (PIT’s) SMS development and

implementation.

Safety Risk Assessments

PIT conducted three SRAs, analyzing hazards associated with jetway safety, operations on

closed runways, and wildlife hazard management. Typically, only one airline participated in the

airport’s SRAs. PIT attributed this lack of participation to a shortage of available airline staff.

PIT conducted initial analysis for the three SRAs using its own staff. The analysis included preidentifying hazards, existing controls, and consequences, all in an effort to focus panel

discussions. However, the airport concluded (see discussion below) that clarifying these findings

before stakeholder input may have created confusion and disagreement.

PIT selected jetway safety as its first SRA since nine jetway incidents have occurred since

September 2008. PIT analyzed hazards based on interactions between jetways and aircraft,

vehicles, and pedestrians. The SRA took nine staff members and two hours to discuss. The

airport produced a 33-page final report that identified six new mitigations to address the identified

hazards and risks. PIT noted that the investigation and examination associated with this SRA was

time consuming.

For its second SRA, the airport analyzed operations on closed runways. In the two months

preceding the analysis, the airport experienced two operations on closed runways. PIT staff

conducted the initial analysis but later developed a panel of stakeholders to complete the review.

FAA staff from ATO and the Office of Airports participated on the panel. The FAA offices were

initially hesitant to participate because of the potential for documentation to be made publicly

available. For this SRA, panel members were unable to reach consensus on the categorization of

risk for the worst credible outcomes of the hazards. Disagreement over severity and likelihood

definitions ensued.

The airport drafted a 34-page report and submitted it to panel participants for review. The FAA

participants disagreed with the report and expressed concerns about future participation in SRA

activities. PIT and ATO staff continued to work through their differences in definitions. PIT made

some minor modifications to the report. Additionally, ATO offered PIT the option to participate in a

future ATO-led SRA (hazards associated with low-visibility operations) so PIT staff could see how

ATO conducts SRM-related activities.

PIT’s last SRA, scheduled for completion in November 2011, analyzed hazards associated with

its Wildlife Hazard Management Plan.
Part 139 SMS Implementation Study Issued May 2012 Page 28 of 62

November 2011 Roundtable Meeting Summary Airports

Based on the SRAs, PIT modified its hazard risk matrix to a 4 x 4 design, which better meshes

with the various airport stakeholder definitions and their categorization of risk. PIT also found the

need for facilitator assistance when using panels for SRAs.

IT Solutions

The airport selected Eagle Integrated Solutions for incident, hazard, and wildlife reporting. The

system allows operations personnel to enter data and risk metrics and perform trend analysis.

Using a wireless mesh throughout the airport environment and laptops, the system uploads

airport personnel’s data to servers and then populates a standardized data entry program with the

data. Data can then be mined for trend analysis. PIT explained airport personnel can enter data

using a series of drop-down menus and screens that ensure consistency in reporting. PIT

planned to integrate work order software and add an airport layout for more precise location

identification in future upgrades.

Safety Promotion

Although Safety Promotion was not a required Study task, PIT used numerous methods for

communicating SMS and safety initiatives, including monthly safety meetings, newsletters, and

Safety Reporting System Incentives. PIT also identified the need for on-going training.

Other Lessons Learned

Based on the Study experience, the airport decided that it would prefer to use consultant services

for implementation roll-out and that it would need additional staff to maintain the SMS in the

future. PIT also found that staff buy-in was essential but hard to obtain.
Part 139 SMS Implementation Study Issued May 2012 Page 29 of 62

November 2011 Roundtable Meeting Summary Airports

Session 8: San Antonio International Airport

Presented by: Tim O’Krongley and John Chase (City of San Antonio Aviation Department)

PowerPoint Presentation (available for public viewing)

Mr. O’Krongley and Mr. Chase began with a brief overview of the San Antonio Airport System.

The City of San Antonio Aviation Department applied SMS to both the airside and landside

environments at San Antonio International Airport (SAT). They also applied SMS to their general

aviation airport, Stinson Airport. By applying SMS to their general aviation airport, the City of San

Antonio found SMS to be scalable.

Quite a few SAT tenants had pre-existing or developmental SMSs or had implemented processes

similar to those under an SMS, so they were familiar with SMS practices. Unfortunately, some

tenants chose not to participate in SMS activities absent a regulatory requirement to do so.

Safety Risk Assessments

SAT used subject matter expert panels to conduct its three SRAs. The airport found it beneficial

to break up panel work into two separate days. Doing so also allowed the panel facilitator time to

prepare documentation, speeding the panel’s review during the second meeting. The airport

found some stakeholders came to panel meetings with preconceived outcomes or findings for the

SRA (outcome bias).

SAT found it challenging to obtain FAA participants. Some FAA offices attended and participated

in the SRAs, but others did not. SAT also found sharing documentation with the FAA participants

after panel meetings challenging because of the agency’s email file size restrictions.

As more stakeholders became engaged, the airport grew concerned over the variety of risk

matrices used throughout the industry. SAT believed this concern could be solved by using a

standard risk matrix (e.g., 4 X 4 or 5 x 5) with company-specific definitions based on that standard

format. SAT refined its original risk matrix three separate times based on lessons learned from

the SRAs and Safety Assurance activities.

One of the SRAs examined hazards associated with visibility in the Airport Operations Area.

While the airport led the initial SRA, one of the tenants did not like the outcome of the airport’s

analysis, particularly the proposed mitigations. The tenant decided to conduct its own SRA. SAT

agreed with the findings based on the tenant’s unique situation at the airport. In this case, SAT

exempted the tenant from implementing the proposed mitigation (safety vests for increased

visibility) within its own leasehold.

The airport expanded its triggers for conducting an SRA to include any time the airport receives

federal financial assistance for an airport project. Also, airport Division Managers were

empowered to start an SRA whenever they thought one necessary, with the Safety Division

assisting where possible. SAT was still determining how to decide when to use a formal SRA

versus immediately mitigating the hazard.
Part 139 SMS Implementation Study Issued May 2012 Page 30 of 62

November 2011 Roundtable Meeting Summary Airports

IT Solutions

SAT purchased the SMS package from Intelex of Canada. This package included customizable

forms for SMS and the airport’s accident investigation program and offered 19 modules,

including:

 Safety incident reporting

 Safety hazards and risk assessment

 Audits management/nonconformance

 Document control

 Records management

 Training management

SAT was refining the documentation process using the Intelex software and required certain

types of reporting to be included in the package. The airport expected software roll-out by the first

quarter of 2012, with full implementation by mid-2012.

Reporting

The airport’s safety reporting system allowed anonymous reporting online or via paper reports

placed into drop boxes around the airport. The system contacts all reporters with feedback if they

provide contact information.

SAT had received 24 reports since the system went into operation, with most issues involving

airlines and ramps. The airlines had been working with the airport thus far, but SAT expressed

concern that airlines may not share so freely airport-relevant reports submitted to the airlines’

reporting systems.

Safety Assurance

SAT believed that to conduct an audit of the SMS, it would need at least a year’s worth of

collected data. To meet the tasks of the Study, SAT instead conducted a targeted audit against its

SMS Manual, processes, and procedures in place.

Safety Promotion

Safety Promotion was not a deliverable of the Study, but SAT reported on its efforts to deploy

elements of its Safety Promotion component. The airport published SMS-related posters based

on hazards identified through SMS (e.g., FOD prevention). The airport also published Safety

Bulletins advising readers of current safety issues at the airport. The airport reported that SAT

leadership was extremely supportive of the SMS and had established the Safety Division, led by

a full-time SMS Manager.

Other Lessons Learned

Based on the results of the Study, SAT believed that much of the SMS work can be done inhouse. Furthermore, the airport thought SMS brought cohesion to pre-existing safety functions.
Part 139 SMS Implementation Study Issued May 2012 Page 31 of 62

November 2011 Roundtable Meeting Summary Airports

Session 9: South Bend Regional Airport

Presented by: Bruce MacLachlan (South Bend Regional Airport) and Dave Fleet (Dave Fleet

Consulting)

PowerPoint Presentation (available for public viewing)

Mr. Fleet described the physical layout, service, and statistics of the South Bend Regional Airport

(SBN). Mr. MacLachlan then explained the SMS structure at SBN. The airport appointed the

Airport Authority Executive Director as the Accountable Executive and assigned collateral duties

for developing and managing the SMS to the Manager of Operations and the Airport Security

Coordinator.

Safety Risk Assessments

SBN conducted three SRAs prior to the Study and chose to use subject matter expert panels for

analysis. The SRAs identified hazards and analyzed risk associated with the following:

 Operational impacts during events (e.g., Notre Dame football games). SBN conducted

the SRA in concert with the FBO’s plan for increased traffic and parking of transient

aircraft on game day/weekends.

 Safety impacts to commercial ramp operations resulting from the new concourse.

Mitigations identified during the analysis included making the entire ramp area into a nonmovement area (which FAA ATO agree to during the SRA). This action required an

addition to Taxiway B that would remove the movement area from the ramp edge. The

presenters said SBN is pursuing a capital project to facilitate this change.

 Snow removal operations on the commercial ramp. The third SRA analyzed snow

removal operations related to the new concourse and identified new mitigations, including

a designated snow box (for stacking and storing snow), a new staging area for ground

support equipment, and triage for snow removal.

SBN identified both positive and negative aspects of subject matter expert panels. Panels helped

participant understand the roles of others at the airport, but as a small facility, the airport only had

a limited pool of individuals to draw from for the meetings. For example, during the SRA meeting

focused on airline procedures, only one airline attended. The airline most impacted by the

procedures was unable to send anyone because airline management was filling in for employees

who were out due to illness.

The airport stated it received good participation from tenants in the panels but was concerned

their participation might decline once the novelty of the process was gone.

For its risk matrix and definitions of severity and likelihood, SBN used a 5 x 5 matrix with its own

definitions. (See Figure 9.1) For example, SBN linked likelihood to enplanement figures that were

more in line with SBN’s actual operations. (See Figure 9.2) While SBN initially used the sample

risk matrix from FAA AC 150/5200-37, the airport found additional medium risk (yellow) was
Part 139 SMS Implementation Study Issued May 2012 Page 32 of 62

November 2011 Roundtable Meeting Summary Airports

appropriate based on its environment and governance. SBN also expanded its five-step SRM

process to include a sixth and final step: monitoring mitigations.

Figure 9.1: SBN Risk Matrix (Courtesy of Saint Joseph County Airport Authority)

Severity

No Safety

Effect Minor Major Hazardous Catastrophic

Likelihood

Frequently

Probable

Remote

Extremely

Remote

Extremely

Improbable

Low Medium High

No Action Required Monitor, Determine if Risk can

be Mitigated to a Low Risk

Must be Mitigated to a Medium

Risk
Part 139 SMS Implementation Study Issued May 2012 Page 33 of 62

November 2011 Roundtable Meeting Summary Airports

Likelihood:

Frequently Occurs once every month or 3,000 aircraft operations or 25,000 enplanements

Probable Occurs once every year or 34,000 aircraft operations or 300,000 enplanements

Remote

Occurs once every 5 years or 170,000 aircraft operations or 1,500,000

enplanements

Extremely

Remote

Occurs once every 10 years or 340,000 aircraft operations or 3,000,000

enplanements

Extremely

Improbable

Occurs once every 20 years or over 700,000 aircraft operations or 6,000,000

enplanements

Severity:

People Assets Environmental Reputation

Catastrophic Fatality+

Loss of an aircraft/or over

$1,000,000 dollars in

damage/or loss of critical

system(s) for an

extended period of time

A spill or release

that is not contained

and results in longterm damage to the

environment and

fines to the airport.

An event or a

series of events

resulting in the

community NOT

using SBN for

an extended

period of time.

Hazardous

Severe Injury,

requiring

hospitalization

Damage to an aircraft

taking it out of service for

an extended period of

time/or damage in excess

of $500,000/or disruption

of critical services for

extended period of time

A reportable spill or

release that causes

short-term damage

to the environment

and requires

mitigation.

An event or a

series of events

resulting in the

community

lessening the

use of SBN

causing

negative

(annual)

financial or

operational

impacts.

Major

Minor Injury

requiring

medical

treatment

Damage to an aircraft

that is repairable/or

damage to equipment or

facility that is reparable

within a short period of

time.

A reportable spill or

release that is

contained.

An event or a

series of events

resulting in the

community

lessening the

use of SBN for

a short period of

time.

Minor

Minor injury not

requiring

medical

treatment

Minor damage to an

aircraft, equipment, or

facility not requiring it to

be taken out of service

A spill or release

that does not require

a report.

An event or a

series of events

resulting in the

community
Part 139 SMS Implementation Study Issued May 2012 Page 34 of 62

November 2011 Roundtable Meeting Summary Airports

questioning the

reliability of

SBN.

No Safety

Effect No injury No Damage No Impact No Impact

Figure 9.2: SBN Severity and Likelihood Definitions (Courtesy of Saint Joseph County Airport Authority)

IT Solutions

The airport purchased Incident Reporter from Omni-Air Group and self-hosted the software on

two servers (to provide redundancy). Users could access the software via links on both the

airport’s intranet and internet sites. The airport said it maintains control of the data received and

can choose to use other systems (e.g., other companies’ products) in the future. While the airport

originally intended to use in-house resources to handle the technical operation and daily

maintenance of the software, it later chose to contract with Pinnacle, a South Bend-based

company, for its IT needs.

Reporting

The Incident Reporter system provided the electronic vehicle for reporting. SBN’s website

included a link to report hazards. The airport believed the software provides a good reporting

system for smaller airports as it allows users to report hazardous conditions, accidents, and

safety concerns. Drop-down boxes further assisted users in reporting and aided data analysis by

ensuring the consistency of certain elements. After launching the software, SBN re-evaluated the

software’s drop-down options based on lessons learned.

The staff was used to reporting issues directly to airport authority personnel, so SBN found it

challenging to convince them to use the software to formally document issues. SBN believed

other similarly sized airports will also face this challenge. SBN rolled out the software to its entire

staff in March 2011 to enhance formal reporting. The airport said it plans to roll out reporting to

tenants in 2012.

Additionally, SBN developed new language for airport leases, contracts, rules, and regulations

requiring the use of any tools provided by the Airport Authority for compliance with the SMS,

including the use of formal reporting.

Safety Assurance

SBN identified over 2,000 data points for analysis under the Study’s Safety Assurance task.

Those data points included:

 Aircraft accident or incident reports

 Airfield inspection logs

 Terminal inspection reports

 Emergency response debrief reports

 Fuel/oil spill reports
Part 139 SMS Implementation Study Issued May 2012 Page 35 of 62

November 2011 Roundtable Meeting Summary Airports

 Property damage reports

 NOTAMs

 Inclement weather condition reports

The airport committed through its SMS Manual to an annual review of the SMS and key

performance indicators, including:

 Part 139 inspections and self-inspection reports

 Airport Authority staff medical runs

 OSHA reportable incidents or accidents for Airport Authority staff

 Passenger medical runs

 Tenant medical runs

 Vehicle accidents (for landside and airside operations)

 Equipment damage reports

Other Lessons Learned

During the Studies, SBN recognized that it already had many formalized and documented

practices and procedures in place that could support the SMS. These pre-existing programs

included Airport Information Meetings, a Safety Committee, and Airport Authority weekly manager

meetings. SBN already collected information about accidents, incidents, damage, and injuries. It

planned to analyze this information and use it as key performance indicators for future Safety

Assurance activities.
Part 139 SMS Implementation Study Issued May 2012 Page 36 of 62

November 2011 Roundtable Meeting Summary Airports

Practices

Policies

Hazard

ID

FOD

Safety

Reporting

& Data

Collection

Emergency

Plan

Common Situational

Awareness

Integrated

Information

NOTAMs

D

O

ig

p

ital Flight

s Info

Dashboards

Information

Sharing

Internal Alerts/

Notifications

System

Monitoring

Incident/

Accident

Reporting

Assurance

Risk

Mgmt.

Promotion

Policy

SMS

Technology

People

Software

Databases

Winter

Ops.

Plan

SMGCS

Safety

Cuture

Training

Wildlife

Hazard

Mgmt. 139 Self

Inspection

Safety Risk

Mgmt.

Document

Safety

Risk

Assessment

SOP/Gs

ACM Chgs

Minimum

Standards

Enforcement

Integration

Software

System

Reporting

Process

Expand into

Non-Movement

Expand into

Non-Movement

Individual

Drivers/users

Hazard

Reporting

Risk Mgt & SMS

Process

Integration

Score Cards

Matrixes

Root Cause

Analysis

Promotion

Safety Action

Commit ee

Just culture

139.303 Qualified

Employees

C David Crowner - March, 2011

David Crowner - March, 2011 C

Session 10: Seattle-Tacoma International Airport

Presented by: David Crowner (Port of Seattle) and Joanne Landry (Landry Consultants)

PowerPoint Presentation (available for public viewing)

After showing a short video illustrating the importance of Safety Awareness on the airport, Mr.

Crowner described Seattle-Tacoma International Airport’s (SEA’s) SMS and the airport’s

successes. Mr. Crowner also explained SEA’s innovative way of looking at SMS and its

components and how it integrates SMS with existing processes and procedures at the airport.

(See Figure 10.1)

Figure 10.1: SEA SMS Wheel (Courtesy of David Crowner)
Part 139 SMS Implementation Study Issued May 2012 Page 37 of 62

November 2011 Roundtable Meeting Summary Airports

Safety Risk Assessments

SEA conducted four SRAs under the Study. These SRAs identified hazards and risks associated

with changing a movement area to a non-movement area, winter operations communications,

wildlife hazards, and consistency of ramp markings. While the airport chose to use subject matter

expert panels for analysis, SEA believed that airports constantly conduct informal SRM activities

through “hazard triage.” When field personnel conduct self-inspections or maintenance activities,

they identify hazards or issues and determine whether the risk needs to be immediately mitigated.

The difference, he explained, was that the airport will now document those informal decisions.

When more analysis or systematic analysis is needed, the airport will use a more formalized

panel of subject matter experts and document the panel’s findings.

SEA chose a diverse yet complementary set of experts for its formal SRA panels. The airport also

discovered the facilitator should understand the subject matter but be independent of the issue

analyzed. SEA believed the facilitator should allow conflicting positions but ultimately guide

discussions back to consensus. SEA thought panels should keep consequences credible and be

faithful to the process (e.g., follow the five-steps).

SEA also identified the importance of monitoring solutions (e.g., mitigations). While the airport did

not identify a sixth SRM step as some airports did, SEA did develop a figure illustrating the

importance of the closed loop. (See Figure 10.2)

Figure 10.2: SEA SRM Process (Courtesy of David Crowner)

Describe

System

Identify

Hazards

Analyze

Risk

Assess

Risk

Treat

Risk

Monitor Solutions
Part 139 SMS Implementation Study Issued May 2012 Page 38 of 62

November 2011 Roundtable Meeting Summary Airports

The airport adopted a new risk matrix with similar category titles to those used by the FAA but a

different distribution of risk levels. (See Figure 10.3)

Likelihood

Minimal

5

Minor

4

Major

3

Hazardous

2

Catastrophic

1

Frequent

A

Probable

B

Remote

C

Extremely

Remote

D

**

Extremely

Improbable

E

**

Figure 10.3 – SEA Safety Risk Matrix (Courtesy of David Crowner)

SEA stated it is developing a Comprehensive Ramp Assessment Plan following the same

philosophy as SRM. The Plan will identify hazards and mitigate risks where appropriate. SEA

explained this effort dovetails with the airport’s proactive approach to mitigating hazards like FOD

in the non-movement area.

SEA believed it will be able to conduct some SRAs in-house in the future, while others will require

third-party assistance for facilitation or analysis. SEA stated it is also examining the use of other

airports to help conduct SRA facilitation.

IT Solutions

The airport purchased SMS-Pro for its hazard reporting software. However, at the time of the

presentation, the airport was conducting a Tech Integration Study to see whether it could

leverage existing programs, like Maximo, or use some other external systems. SEA said its goal

was to have software that guides users through the necessary processes and steps. For

example, the same software would guide the field personnel through self-inspection, identification

of hazards, maintenance requests, SRA development, trend analysis, and evaluation. Because

the airport was still investigating software, it contracted with its software developer on a month-tomonth basis.

Safety Assurance

SEA identified key performance indicators for 2012, 2013, and 2014 to assist in its Safety

Assurance activities. (See Figure 10.4)
Part 139 SMS Implementation Study Issued May 2012 Page 39 of 62

November 2011 Roundtable Meeting Summary Airports

Figure 10.4: SEA’s Key Performance Indicators (Courtesy of David Crowner)

As the first airport to adopt International Air Transport Association Safety Audit for Ground

Operators (ISAGO )requirements, SEA took proactive steps to require third-party ground service

providers to participate in the ISAGO audit program. SEA included the requirement in the airport’s

licensing program.

Safety Promotion

Safety Promotion was not part of this Study, but SEA discussed its SMS training program. The

airport divided this training into three parts:

 Safety orientation

 SMS introduction and hazard management

 Risk and quality management
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SEA grouped all individuals working on the airport into four categories and then determined the

appropriate level of training for each category. The four categories were:

 All airport badge holders

 Airport staff

 Executives and leadership

 Airport ground handlers and airlines

SEA promoted its SMS by developing a newsletter, which it made available to all employees and

tenants. SEA explained the newsletter identifies incidents or issues and provides

recommendations for resolution (e.g., wingwalkers are a good way to avoid aircraft damage).

Other Lessons Learned

SEA stated that it was already safety-focused before SMS and had previously adopted many of

the components and elements of an SMS. However, it believed SMS was the new “standard of

care.”

The airport identified several benefits of an SMS:

 Formalizing the airport’s safety program

 Ensuring regulatory compliance

 Reducing risks

 Holding staff and tenants accountable for safety performance

 Establishing safety performance goals

 Facilitating safety ownership through participation

SEA believed a safer environment would lead to improved opportunities and increased revenue.
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Session 11: Tallahassee Regional Airport

Presented by: David Pollard (Tallahassee Regional Airport)

PowerPoint Presentation (available for public viewing)

Mr. Pollard provided a brief overview of Tallahassee Regional Airport’s (TLH’s) approach to SMS,

including contracting for consultant services and soliciting stakeholder input.

Safety Risk Assessments

TLH conducted three SRAs addressing water intrusion and terminal improvements (terminal

building roof replacement), commercial ramp operations, and irregular airport operations.

The first SRA focused on contractor safety. Mitigations developed through the SRA included

morning and evening check-ins to ensure the project area was left in proper condition and twicedaily FOD checks. The airport retained these measures after the project’s completion because of

their effectiveness. The airport evaluated the data from the check-ins and FOD checks to identify

trends, the types of FOD, and the amounts in the location. TLH said this additional analysis

continues to identify hazards, and it mitigates where appropriate during ongoing operations.

The airport established an “SMS on the fly” concept as a result of the irregular operations SRA.

This approach helped airport staff understand unanticipated conditions and prepared them to

respond on no or short notice. It empowered staff to make judgment calls on handling unexpected

events in a safe manner. The airport explained the concept is now a feature of its SMS and has

used it when severe weather events have forced air carriers to use TLH as an alternate airport.

TLH also proactively identified the need for employees to wear reflective vests on certain areas of

the airport. TLH explained the airport provides the vests, maintains them, replaces them as

necessary, and conducts weekly checks to verify usage. While this activity was not associated

with an SRA, the airport considered it a part of its SRM procedures to proactively identify hazards

on the airport.

TLH believed that the SRAs increased visibility and awareness of TLH’s participation in the Pilot

Studies.

IT Solutions/Reporting

TLH established the “Safety Alert” Program to encourage employees to report safety concerns

without fear of reprisal. TLH explained that any of its 1,100 badge holders can submit reports via

a dedicated phone number, email, or Voluntary Safety Report drop boxes around the airport. As

of November 2011, the airport had received between 15 and 20 reports; none were submitted to

the drop boxes.

TLH identified as a best practice management through mingling and walking around airport,

listening to employees, collecting ideas and thoughts, and generally staying up-to-date on what is
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happening. At TLH, personal transmission of information and casual conversations with tenants

seemed to produce more “reporting” of safety issues.

Safety Assurance

TLH said its SMS Manual requires both internal and external audits. However, the airport found

more benefit through external audits since they identify alternate ways of doing things.

Safety Promotion

Although Safety Promotion was not part of this Study, TLH identified its various means of

communicating safety issues with tenants, including safety council and station manager

meetings, the Tenant Assistance Program, and the Notice of Violation Program. The airport put

up a poster and reflective vests in all facilities to remind employees to wear vests and report

safety issues. The airport developed rewards programs for doing things right.

TLH also established a cross-training program for the exchange of ideas and education of staff.

The airport explained it invites other airports to participate, which brings people with different

areas of expertise to TLH and helps generate alternate perspectives.

Other Lessons Learned

TLH noted that its exposure to similar military programs and the airport’s proximity to Naval Air

Station Pensacola helped ease understanding and development of the SMS. The airport made

awareness of its Safety Policy statement a key element of SMS and Safety Promotion activities.

TLH believed the SMS had improved visibility of the safety program, improved reporting of unsafe

conditions, and helped promote a team approach. However, the airport still faced challenges such

as employee turnover, reduced budgets, and consistent formalized hazard reporting (due to the

airport’s culture and size).
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Session 12: Toledo Express Airport

Presented by: Ken Ibold (RS & H)

PowerPoint Presentation (available for public viewing)

Mr. Ibold provided an update on the status of Toledo Express Airport’s (TOL’s) SMS, focusing on

the airport’s reorganization after it completed its original SMS Manual. Implementation lagged

because the airport had to wait until the project team updated applicable materials to fit the new

organizational structure and resources. The SMS team developed new appropriate and

manageable SMS practices.

Safety Risk Assessments

After reviewing internal and supplemental studies, TOL chose to conduct three SRAs, analyzing

hazards associated with sports car events on the airport, snow removal operations, and

pavement marking operations. The SRAs used subject matter expert panels and included broad

participation from stakeholders, including the FAA, the ATCT, the Ohio Air National Guard,

airlines, and corporate tenants.

While the first SRA required two sessions and a total of six hours, the second and third SRAs

were completed in one-day, four-hour sessions. Due to the large number of participants, the snow

removal operations SRA employed small group exercises. The airport believed this strategy was

optimal for analyzing a large number of hazards with a large number of participants.

The second SRA had the unintended consequence of airing out differences and issues between

the ATCT and airport maintenance crews. What started out as a panel meeting, developed into

an understanding between the two groups. They realized that their communication problems

represented safety hazards.

During the third SRA, TOL decided to simplify its risk matrix. (See Figure 12.1) Initially a 5 x 4

matrix, it evolved into a 4 x 4 with new severity categories and simplified definitions for likelihood

and severity.

The airport also developed a new procedure to review changes to airport processes or equipment

and identify potential hazards before the changes become operational.
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Figure 12.1: TOL’s Simplified Hazard and Risk Assessment Matrix (Courtesy of Toledo Express Airport)

IT Solutions

The airport modified its existing open source self-inspection software (DRACONi AIRS) to

enhance hazard identification and tracking. While the program had a proprietary component, it

was tailored to the airport’s needs to allow reporting options through drop-down boxes. The

locally developed software provided better sorting mechanisms and standardized descriptions.

The software prompted employees to think about what they might identify as a hazard and, later,

how to address the hazard. TOL stated the features in the software became crucial to a “seachange” in attitudes about safety and provided the genesis of a safety culture.

Reporting

TOL added an anonymous hazard reporting function to its website. Originally, users needed a

login and password to access the reporting function. However, employees worried about the

airport using the login information to track their reporting, so TOL removed the security feature.

By moving the reporting function to the public website, the airport made reporting available to the

general public.

Safety Assurance

TOL explained it conducts daily inspections of reports for hazards and non-complying items but

that Safety Assurance reviews have multiple components, including:
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 Internal self-inspection by managers

 Internal evaluations by the Safety Coordinator

 An annual effectiveness measurement

 Annual external audits

In addition, TOL said it plans to conduct annual Maturity Assessments for the next three years as

it continues to implement the SMS. As of November 2011, TOL was reviewing the safety

indicators list developed during the initial SMS gap analysis to determine its future applicability.

Safety Promotion

Although Safety Promotion was not part of the Study, TOL added SMS elements to the initial and

recurrent training most workers and supervisors received on hazard identification and root cause

analysis. The airport’s Safety Coordinator measured the effectiveness of this training.

In addition, TOL added safety briefings to meetings.

Other Lessons Learned

SRA activities led to an increased awareness of hazards and a re-evaluation of the airport’s risk

matrix. The airport believed the simplified risk matrix will help reduce the subjectivity of risk

assessment.
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Session 13: Cheyenne Regional Airport

Presented by: Dave Haring (Cheyenne Regional Airport) and Heidi Benaman (Faith Group)

PowerPoint Presentation (available for public viewing)

After providing an overview of the ownership, physical layout, and statistics of the Cheyenne

Regional Airport (CYS), Mr. Haring and Ms. Benaman summarized CYS’s SMS implementation

status.

Safety Risk Assessments

The airport modified the SRM process to accommodate its unique operating environment. (See

Figure 13.1)

Figure13.1: CYS SRM Process (Courtesy of Cheyenne Regional Airport)

CYS explained the revised process:

 Once submitted, the hazard report is passed along a response chain.

 If the chain determines additional attention is needed, the airport investigates the events

surrounding the hazard.

 Using additional research, observations, and/or interviews, CYS determines if more

analysis is need. The result is a list of consequences should the hazard occur.

 CYS’s SMS Manager calls together the airport’s safety action group to review the list of

consequences. (See Figure 13.2) Generally, these meetings are four-hour sessions that

generate good dialogue and discussion. The group includes subject matter experts in

areas related to the hazard’s consequences and impacts. The group usually includes

representatives from airport operations, maintenance, and the Wyoming Air National

Guard operations and safety staff. Members from the ATCT, airlines, and the FAA Airport

District Office join as needed.
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Figure 13.2: CYS’s Safety Organization (Courtesy of Cheyenne Regional Airport)

 The airport safety action group reports its findings to a review board.

 The review board provides oversight and accountability for the prioritization of hazards,

corrective action plans (including budgets and reviewing outcomes), and post-mitigation

work.

CYS explained this SRM process consists of three main tasks:

1. Report, classify, investigate, and identify consequences of the hazard.

2. Analyze the risk and determine root cause.

3. Develop and implement a corrective action plan and then monitor.

CYS applied its SRM process to three hazards during the Study: Runway 27 retaining wall (visual

issue in winter conditions), movement area signs, and safety area demarcation.
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As a result of the first SRA, the safety action group modified the airport’s risk matrix. The group

changed definitions to foster a better understanding of hazard/outcome placement within the

matrix. The second SRA involved the airport’s signage plan. It gave the airport an opportunity to

work with the FAA’s Airport District Office.

The findings of the third SRA surprised the airport. When querying airport maintenance and ATCT

personnel about safety areas, the airport discovered that neither group had a good understanding

of the physical boundary or demarcation of the safety areas. The safety action group conducted

further analysis and researched areas of responsibility, noting the airport’s ownership of the

safety areas and ATCT’s responsibility for clearing approved vehicles to cross the movement

area. The group identified two mitigations: enhanced training and mowing grass along the safety

area boundary at varying heights. The maintenance personnel were surprised to learn that the

actual demarcation was different from where they thought it was.

During all the SRAs, the airport benefited from the communication among all stakeholders.

Stakeholders communicated with each other instead of the airport communicating with individual

stakeholders, which had been the norm before SMS.

IT Solutions

CYS invested in SMS Pro, a software platform that can be customized to fit the airport’s needs.

Due to minimum startup costs, the airport chose a temporary software license. In some cases,

the airport needed to use additional integration software.

Reporting

The airport originally envisioned a non-punitive reporting system for hazard and safety issues. In

fall 2009, it instead implemented a confidential and/or anonymous reporting system. Reporters

can remain anonymous by submitting hazard reports to one of the drop boxes around the airfield

or mailing reports with a self-addressed, stamped envelope.

CYS explained that the Air National Guard unit on base has data sharing restrictions for much of

its reported hazards, but the unit’s process can be shared or discussed to ensure compatibility.

CYS believed the unit will conduct its own SMS or similar proactive risk management activities.

Safety Assurance

The airport’s SMS Manual identified a variety of processes to evaluate the SMS, including:

 Quarterly self-audits

 Internal audits two weeks after each quarterly self-audit

CYS said members of the airport’s Administration and Operations Divisions serve as the

“auditors.” The airport develops corrective action plans associated with audit findings when

appropriate.
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If the FAA issues a final rule for SMS, CYS said it would consider the FAA’s periodic inspection

described in the NPRM as an external audit.

Other Lessons Learned

Through SMS, CYS said it now has data to show that money is saved over time by tracking and

managing activities on the airport. The airport had seen improvements in communications and a

corresponding knowledge transfer. Further, through increased communications, the airport had

improved its maintenance work order process, training tracking tools, and equipment

management.
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Session 14: Southern Illinois Airport

Presented by: Gary Shafer (Southern Illinois Airport)

PowerPoint Presentation (available for public viewing)

After providing an overview of the ownership, physical layout, and statistics of the Southern

Illinois Airport (MDH), Mr. Shafer summarized the status of MDH’s SMS implementation.

Safety Risk Assessments

MDH used the SRM process and SRAs as vehicles for discussion of topics and brainstorming. An

SRA team leader/facilitator, usually personnel from Southern Illinois University (SIU) or a

consultant, organized and led the panel of stakeholders, which included tenants, the ATCT

Manager, SMS team members, airport staff, and aviation students. During the meeting, the panel

appointed a team member as note taker. The SRA team leader drafted each SRA report.

The three SRAs analyzed topics identified through hazard and accident reports, safety

inspections, and employee/user feedback or perception. The SRAs addressed blind spots in the

non-movement area (vehicle/vehicle, vehicle/aircraft, aircraft/aircraft, vehicle/aircraft/pedestrian),

Southern Illinois University’s Transportation Education Center Development and landside issues,

and airport wildlife issues.

For each of the SRAs, the team developed a list of recommendations, which they categorized as

either “must do” or “should do.”

IT Solutions/Reporting

MDH made available a formal, confidential reporting program to all tenants, users, and the public

via the airport’s website. (See Figure 14.1) MDH also provided drop boxes around the airport.

The airport received fewer than 50 reports during the program’s first three months; as of

November 2011, reporters used online versus paper reporting 10:1.

The airport explained the intake and analysis process. The Airport Manager received online

reports immediately via email and then exported them to Microsoft Excel. An SIU graduate

student assisted with analysis.

The airport said it expects a reporting-rich environment over time because:

 SIU teaches SMS, with emphasis on hazard reporting, in every aviation class.

 The system allows reporters to get feedback on the resolution of their reports.

 MDH frequently updates its website with safety-related news and asks for

recommendations on how to solve safety issues.
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Figure 14.1: Snapshot of MDH’s SMS public website (Courtesy of Southern Illinois Airport)

Safety Assurance

MDH said its SMS includes the following Safety Assurance-related activities:

 Annual SMS Manual review

 Monthly safety committee meetings

 Annual safety audit

Other Lessons Learned

MDH listed its successes through SMS:

 A proactive, formalized safety program with “buy-in” from the top levels of airport

management and tenants

 Increased safety awareness.

 Formalized safety committees encouraging communication.

MDH believed the university community was receptive to the safety message critical to SMS

efforts.
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Session 15: The Ohio State University Airport

Presented by: Seth Young (The Ohio State University Airport)

PowerPoint Presentation (available for public viewing)

Dr. Young provided an overview of the ownership, physical layout, and statistics for the Ohio

State University Airport (OSU) and then summarized the status of SMS implementation at the

airport. The airport is owned and operated by The Ohio State University. At the time of the

meeting, OSU had completed approximately 90 percent of the Study tasks at the time of

presentation.

Safety Risk Assessments

OSU used its 11-member SMS Safety Committee to conduct its preliminary hazard analysis. The

committee comprised airport, FBO, and University Flight/Maintenance department personnel;

tenants; the ATCT; and USDA Wildlife Services

OSU selected three issues to analyze through its SRM process: airfield incursions, wildlife

hazards, and ramp operations. Completed over time instead of during structured sessions, the

SRAs were developed in-house by OSU faculty and students. OSU used a standard approach to

the SRAs, which involved brainstorming sessions, data collection, and data analysis.

Most SMS Safety Committee members participated in the brainstorming sessions or review of the

preliminary hazard analysis. Many members of the group were surprised by the results of this

work, especially findings about migratory birds and the complacency of ground vehicle operators

and pedestrians on ramp areas during good weather.

OSU staff selected the SRA topics using past incidents or reported hazards. For example, the

airport selected airfield incursions as its first SRA because of past runway incursions. The

configuration of runways requires crossing various portions of the movement area to reach a

destination. The airport explained that high traffic volume during university events, frequent

training operations, and operations by those less familiar with the airfield leads to the increased

likelihood of runway incursions. Similarly, OSU selected wildlife hazards for its second SRA

because of the airport’s proximity to large animal populations associated with university research.

The SMS Safety Committee also modified the risk matrix after finding that the subjectively of the

matrix significantly impacted analysis.

IT Solutions/Reporting

OSU implemented an online and paper-based non-punitive hazard reporting program for airport

employees, tenants, and users. OSU staff placed red binders and signs in various places around

the airport, including the passenger terminal and check-in desk at the FBO. The binders

contained instructions, reporting forms, and submission envelopes. OSU explained that

employees and users could also report via the airport’s website. (See Figure 15.1)
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Figure 15.1: OSU’s SMS Website (Courtesy of Dr. Seth Young)

Reporters could submit anonymously. Some tenants/operators on the airport declined to submit

reports, even anonymously, although they did participate in the airport’s SRA activities.

The airport said paper reports outnumbered those submitted online.

Safety Assurance

At the time of the presentation, OSU had not completed its Safety Assurance-related tasks.

Other Lessons Learned

OSU planned to update its SMS Manual, originally developed in 2009, based on its experiences

in the Study. The airport also planned to try to speed up culture change to increase hazard

reporting and buy-in for the SMS activities.
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November 2011 Roundtable Meeting Summary Airports

Session 16: Lessons Learned/Best Practices

Presented by: Keri Spencer (FAA)

Open Discussion

During the last session of the meeting, Ms. Spencer asked the participants to summarize their

lessons learned from the Study. The following bullets identify the issues and best practices

identified by the group during this session.

SMS Manual

 Pilot Study participants identified common components that should appear in an SMS

Manual:

o Table of Contents

o Sign-off Form

o Record of Revisions Grid

o Definitions and Acronyms Section/Appendix

Safety Policy

 The word “policy” may present challenges for some airport owners. Some municipalities

or authorities may require formal review and approval of documents referred to as

“policy” which can impact the ability of the airport to make changes over time.

 Before implementing SMS, the airport should develop some elements of the Safety Policy

component. At a minimum, airports should develop the Safety Policy statement (or safety

commitment) first.

 Developing and implementing Safety Policy elements is an iterative process; the airport

may need to revise them over time to reflect changes to the SMS or lessons learned.

 The Safety Policy should be flexible, scalable, and fluid enough to meet the challenges of

the airport’s unique operating environment.

 Goals and objectives identified under the Safety Policy should be obtainable, realistic,

and measurable.

Safety Risk Management

 Pilot Study participants needed to update the SRM sections of their SMS Manuals based

on lessons learned. Particularly, they identified the following needs:

o Allow for updates to risk definitions and categories.

o Ensure that SRM activities, especially those using panels, take advantage of

open communication.

o Clearly identify triggers for SRA activities. For example, a trigger may be a future

change to operations at the airport (proactive) or an after-action analysis from an

incident/accident (reactive).

o Describe if the airport has different levels of SRA/analysis (e.g., analysis

completed by airport staff versus panels) and whether someone on staff performs

“hazard triage” to determine the level of analysis needed.
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November 2011 Roundtable Meeting Summary Airports

o If the airport uses a subject matter expert panel, identify who on staff has the

authority to “call” a panel.

o Format documentation consistently to allow for future trend analysis, evaluation

under Safety Assurance, use in other SRAs, or litigation.

 When a panel is used, Pilot Study participants recommended the following:

o Subject matter experts for panels should have decision-making capability and

expertise related to the issue/hazard analyzed.

o Panel participants should respect the formalized SRM process and not let

outcomes drive the process. For example, if a panel wants a low risk, it might

only identify hazards and outcomes that result in low risk.

o When facilitators are used, they should not be involved in the hazard or issue

being analyzed.

Safety Assurance

 There are a variety of terms used to describe Safety Assurance activities. The term

“audit” implies a more formalized, external review; “evaluation” implies an informal,

internal review. Many of the Pilot Study participants found it easier to conduct evaluations

for partially implemented programs than audits.

o Third-party contractors, other airports, or other airport departments may be

resources for independent audit and evaluation.

 Reporting can take various forms and cover various periods of time—from daily, weekly,

or monthly dashboards to formal annual reports.

 When building data systems to assist in evaluation, airports should leverage existing

tools and data warehouses whenever possible.

Safety Promotion

 Not everyone on the airport needs to understand SMS, but everyone does need to have

Safety Awareness. Safety Awareness includes knowing what a hazard is and how to

report hazards on the airport.

 Airports should investigate existing training programs/requirements (e.g., Security

Identification Display Area (SIDA), Drivers’ Training) to determine whether Safety

Awareness and/or SMS training can be included or whether they need to be offered

separately.

 Marketing, incentivizing, and communicating the SMS are important to building

acceptance and raising a safety culture. Examples of program elements include:

o Posters and slogans to visually advertise the program

o Incentive programs like Safety Bingo

o Brown bag lunches or email blasts

o Newsletters

 Safety committee meetings can serve dual purposes: communicating promotional

information and reporting safety hazards for analysis.
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Appendix 1: Meeting Agenda
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Appendix 2: Sign-in Sheets
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Continued
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Continued
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Continued
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