Our goal is typically twofold:

1. To reduce our accident and incident rate on a continuous basis so that we see an improvement year on year
2. To identify latent exposures which can adversely impact us, and to develop mitigations before they become a problem

To ensure the best possible oversight, we need to make sure that our reporting processes within both our QMS & SMS are effective; to do this, we need to ensure we have good reporting systems and effective data capture.

The data gathered through internal and external audits, together with other information, will provide a sound indication for the management as to whether we are achieving our objectives.

Surveys can also provide a significant insight into the actual perception felt by the staff, and measure the effectiveness of the communications processes.

There can be two reasons to implement a Quality Assurance System. The first is that it is a required mandatory process to ensure compliance with all regulatory and organisational requirements. The second is that we have an opportunity to use the QA process to support the companies' objectives to effectively manage the business in the most efficient way.

A commitment to Quality can become intrinsic within the organization whereby Quality becomes the driver rather than allowing Compliance to become the driver – Compliance should be assumed as a given rather than a target.

If a regulatory audit throws up a noncompliance, then it is also an indication of a Quality Assurance system shortfall, as this is where the noncompliance should have been identified. To move to a higher level requires the company to develop effective and compliant business processes that are acceptable to the post holders and business area managers and can, at the same time, be supported by all employees.

Correct Aircraft bonding is of critical importance Inadequate bonding or grounding may lead to poor performance or in the very worst case contribute to the loss of the aircraft.

Poor bonding performance may cause Electromagnetic Interference (EMI), Electrostatic Discharge Damage (ESD) and lead to intermittent defects. Normal operations impose many stresses and environmental conditions on the many kilometers of Electrical Wiring. It is important that periodic inspections are performed to detect any deterioration.

Inspections should look for Abrasions, Integrity of Insulation, and Condition of all terminations and the possibility of terminal corrosion.

All Electrical Grounds must be given special attention to ensure that the bonding resistance has not increased by corrosion or the loosening of the connections.

Have you attended Fuel Tank Safety Initial Training?

The criteria requires that persons working on Aircraft that carry more than 30 passengers or 7500 lb of Cargo should satisfy the requirements of Fuel Tank Safety Training Level 2.

The Training required should cover a wide range of associated topics the subject material is driven by the EASA requirements and covers an understanding, from the investigation of historical events driving the legislation, to its practical applications ensuring the continued airworthiness of affected aircraft.

The Continuous Airworthiness Management Organization “CAMO” is essentially responsible for 4 primary functions: Planning, Technical Records, Engineering, and Reliability. These groups work together to ensure that the Aircraft remain fully compliant with all requirements concerning the aircraft maintenance management and associated oversight.

Within the CAMO department the Maintenance Planning Group has a range of responsibilities including the delivery of the aircraft maintenance work package to ensure the aircraft remains fully compliant with the Maintenance Program. However this is only part of the story, in a way this could be considered to be the “fixed” portion of the workload, as it does not fluctuate rather it is based on the Maintenance Planning Document “MPD”.

To be effective our Maintenance Error Management System should be composed of multiple elements working together to deliver an effective system.

Consider:

a) Training
b) Competence
c) Procedures

To consider the differences and the advantages of bringing together the elements associated with MEDA and the analytical capacity that is available within the SMS system.

Maintenance Error Management System (MEMS) which is typically represented by “Maintenance Error Decision Aid” (MEDA) as developed by Boeing is an effective way of analyzing events (initially MEDA was developed to facilitate the analysis of incidents and accidents – At the inception its use was employed where there was an adverse outcome; however it was subsequently extended and it is now typically found to be also employed for the investigation of events).

A number of Training courses are mandated by EASA as recurrent, for example: Maintenance Human Factors (HF), Electrical Wiring Interconnect System Training (EWIS) and Fuel Tank Safety (FTS).

European Aviation Safety Agency drives the requirement for recurrent training through EASA Part 145 regulations.

This training may be delivered in-house or by an external Regulatory Training Organisational for example, www.sassofia.com or by an online training organization for example, www.sofemaonline.com

What do we mean when we talk about Online Training?

Online Training also known as Distance Learning is gaining in popularity as it provides a convenient and effective learning medium. Compressed video, delivered through a Learning Management System LMS is one of the fastest-growing learning processes currently being employed.

How to ensure Quality of Instruction?

Quality of instruction is an important consideration to be addressed with online learning programs. The content should be continually reviewed, and every endeavour made to improve based on user experience and feedback.