The key to success in any investigation, in my opinion, is to be right, to be correct with your analysis of the facts and testimonies collected. You have to be correct and logical with your conclusions and you have to make recommendations, recommended corrective actions based solely on the conclusions. I would say that somewhereContinue reading “AF 447 Investigation Missed Many Important Facts”
Author Archives: Capt. Paul Miller
Which costs more, a safe operation or an accident?
Many of the blog readers have wondered, “How cost effective is a good safety program?” So, let’s look at some well known accidents to see first of all how much they cost? Comair at Lexington will run about $700 million when it is all done. Colgan Air at Buffalo will run about $500-650 million whenContinue reading “Which costs more, a safe operation or an accident?”
Safety Forecast and Planning: Miller’s Formula for Safety Risk
CASS2003 Forecast and Plans This Microsoft Powerpoint presentation is a lot of fun to watch, but it also delivers the safety forecast message that all safety managers can and should create their own safety forecast and their own local safety plan based on that forecast. In addition Miller’s formula for Safety Risk is provided.Continue reading “Safety Forecast and Planning: Miller’s Formula for Safety Risk”
Safety Managers Must Be Good Listeners
Safety managers must be good listeners. It has been my experience that few if any reports from people participating in safety suggestions are actually “trivial.” My experience is actually just the opposite. My experience is that everyone who came to my office to make a report had an important idea to share or an importantContinue reading “Safety Managers Must Be Good Listeners”
Can Safety Be Done by One Manager?
Can Safety Be Done by One Manager? I would add, that Safety is not a job that can be done by one. In fact at my pilot association we had 14 committees that dealt with some portion of the safety pie, yes 14! And we were not the company, we were just the pilotContinue reading “Can Safety Be Done by One Manager?”
Working Jointly as a Safety Manager: How does that work?
So now you are probably asking, “Okay, how do I get 14 pilot association committees to work with me, the airline safety manager?” I am so glad that you asked!!! The key to success here is by working Jointly with the pilot association. What is that? Your airline does not have a pilot association? Hmmm,Continue reading “Working Jointly as a Safety Manager: How does that work?”
How Good is your Ability to Observe?
A person I knew stated, “We learn on how to prevent mishaps by deriving from the investigations stemming from mishaps.” I agree that we learn by observing the mistakes that are made. That being said, I would add that we actually have a more superior ability to observe these mistakes as they are made onContinue reading “How Good is your Ability to Observe?”
Flawless operation or a Mishap Free Operation: What Should You aim for?
It has been said, “You seem to be convinced that a flawed world can be actually made flawless.” My response is this. Human error is part of our nature. However we can make our own flight operations mishap free by remembering Miller’s Rule for Safety Management: ALL SAFETY IS LOCAL. Any one safety manager cannotContinue reading “Flawless operation or a Mishap Free Operation: What Should You aim for?”
Just Culture: Why is Jailing Pilots a surprise?
Does not the person in charge of any vessel or organization bear some legal responsibility? If so, why would anyone be surprised to see a pilot jailed following an accident? Are we really just seeing the terribly weak legal profession just beginning to realize how much work has gone undone in the past 70 years.Continue reading “Just Culture: Why is Jailing Pilots a surprise?”
Flawed Investigations?
I cite a flawed investigation as the cause for re-occurrence because in aviation you have one chance to get it right. You must gather the right facts, gather the right testimony, analyze the data, reach the correct conclusions and create recommendations for corrective actions. In the process you will find human error or human factors.Continue reading “Flawed Investigations?”
Safety Forecast 