System Approach for Safety Oversight Program (SASO)
AFS recently concluded a gap analysis that compared existing oversight processes in 14 CFR parts 121, 135, and 145 with functional requirements for the Safety Assurance System (SAS). The analysis showed what changes are needed to ensure consistency within the SAS, while using existing processes and tools as much as possible. Going forward, the SASO Program Office (PO) will focus on two SMS components for AFS: Safety Promotion and Safety Assurance.
New Safety Promotion Outreach Team (SPOT)
As AFS continues to move toward SMS, the SASO PO is forming the new Safety Promotion Outreach Team to communicate SMS and system safety to the field. SPOT will educate the AFS workforce on SMS, gather data from the field, and help develop field communication materials. SPOT will promote safety by briefing AFS offices nationwide on SMS beginning Spring 2009.
AFS SAS Design
The next step towards an SMS environment is to fulfill the SMS component Safety Assurance by developing a Safety Assurance System (SAS). To develop the AFS SAS, the SASO PO has formed workgroups that will use resources from numerous FAA and affiliated organizations to guide the development of processes and tools to support a risk-based approach. Volunteers in these workgroups reflect AFS’s diverse organization with members from different demographics, job roles, and geographic locations. These volunteers will participate in 14-25 week-long workgroups through September 2009 to develop the AFS SAS.
The SASO Road Map (PDF) includes a SASO program timeline.
