Safety Culture in a Collegiate Flight Training Program

Abstract

A common goal within any flight training program is to achieve the highest level of operational safety that results in the reduction of incidents or accidents that can lead to schedule disruption, property damage, or worse. Utah Valley University (UVU) is continuing its research into the application of recommended practices to create a sustainable safety culture. It has concluded the initial phase and has shared survey results and recommendations both internally and externally. UVU wants to continue sharing its experience to help other flight departments achieve an effective safety culture using simple, proven techniques. Part 1 reviews the definition, application, and importance of an integrated, effective, and sustainable safety culture within a flight training department. Part 2 of this article progressed into a completed group discussion that involved a real-world scenario related to safety culture challenges discovered during UVUs first phase of research findings. The group discussion used a safety culture checklist to determine cause(s) and then to recommend actions to be taken to mitigate risk or resolve observed problems.