2. Safety Commitment

2.1 – Overview 

All APSU Aviation Science faculty, staff, flight instructors, student workers, and students are accountable for the program’s overall safety performance. In addition, all are committed to operating safe, healthy, and secure working conditions. This is accomplished by promoting positive safety attitudes and working towards an accident-free workplace, by ensuring a proactive approach to the immediate identification of risk concerns or hazards. 

We are committed to ensuring safety excellence in all aviation activities. This commitment will be instrumental in creating a positive safety culture. This commitment emphasizes accident prevention, hazard identification, safety data collection and dissemination of emergency response procedures.

2.2 – Safety Commitment Letter

At APSU, we are committed to operating safely with minimization of risk. The APSU Aviation Science Program Director will publish and distribute the Dean of CoSTEM’s Safety Commitment Letter, at least once annually, and clearly have it posted for the communication to all stakeholders. 

Additionally, this policy will be personally communicated by the Dean, Program Director, Assistant Chief Pilot, or the Aviation Safety Program Coordinator at the new student cohort meeting, at the beginning of the Fall A term.

Flight instructors should clearly and frequently discuss the concept of the Safety Commitment Letter with each of the students several times during training and ensure students are fully aware of the importance of aviation safety, safety reporting, and their role within the APSU Aviation Safety program.

2.3 – Safety Council Meeting

The APSU Aviation Science program will hold safety council meetings to discuss related-safety issues, review hazards and incidents and make recommendations to reduce risk. The meetings will be held during the beginning of the Fall, Spring, and Summer III semesters.

The objective of the safety council meeting is to create a positive safety culture.

The safety council will include the Aviation Safety Committee Members, which includes:

• Primary Members

  • Dean of CoSTEM

  • Aviation Safety Coordinator

  • Aviation Program Director/Chief Instructor Pilot

  • Assistant Chief Instructor Pilot

  • Director of Maintenance

  • Operations Coordinator

  • Aviation Student Representative (Upper Classman preferred)

• Optional Members

  • Any APSU Flight Instructor

  • APSU Public Safety representative

  • Director, APSU Emergency Management

2.4 – Safety Objectives

The APSU Aviation Safety Program includes measurable safety objectives by which the organization can determine the safety program’s overall effectiveness. The safety objectives may include one or more of the following:

• Ensure the overall safety of faculty and students.

• An annual reduction in accidents, incidents, and/or occurrences to a zero rate.

• An annual reduction of workplace injuries to a zero rate.

• Identification, elimination, or mitigation of hazards to a level as low as reasonably possible.

• Quantify and mitigate risk by reviewing current systems and policies.

• Establish and maintain an effective hazard reporting system.

• Establish and maintain a positive safety culture.

• Ensure an effective safety communication and awareness program.

• Continued compliance with applicable regulations.

2.5 – APSU Aviation Safety Personnel

By defining the role of key safety personnel and stakeholders, these individuals become responsible for promoting, enforcing, and communicating with others in the safety program. The key personnel are responsible for maintain an effective Aviation Safety Program.

• Dean of the College of STEM (CoSTEM): Holds the position of Accountable Executive and has the ultimate responsibility for the APSU Aviation Safety Program.

  • Ensures the Aviation Safety Program is implemented and performing across all pertinent areas.

  • Develops and signs the Safety Commitment Letter.

  • Regularly reviews the APSU Aviation Science safety performance and directs the necessary actions to address substandard safety performance.

  • Regularly reviews the Safety Commitment Letter and ensures the letter is communicated throughout the program stakeholders.

  • Maintain open lines of communication with APSU Aviation Science faculty

• Aviation Safety Coordinator

  • Ensures the Aviation Safety Program is implemented and performing in all pertinent areas.

  • Regularly reviews the APSU Aviation Science safety performance and directs the necessary actions to address substandard safety performance.

  • Ensures safety processes are established, documented, implemented, and maintained.

  • Ensures the promotion and awareness of aviation safety throughout the program.

    o Reports to the Accountable Executive on the program’s safety performance and where improvements are needed.

  • Ensures hazard identification and risk analysis is performed, when necessary.

  • Reviews the effectiveness of safety risk controls.

• Aviation Safety Committee Members

  • Identify and report aviation safety hazards within their operations.

  • Promote safety in their programs.

  • Assess safety risks.

  • Ensure the effectiveness of risk controls.

  • Advise the Program Director and Aviation Safety Coordinator on the performance of the Aviation Safety Program and suggest improvement areas.

• Aviation Program Director/Chief Instructor Pilot

  • Ensures all flight operations comply with applicable regulatory requirements, standards, and safety policies and procedures.

  • Identification and development of resources to achieve safe flight operations.

  • Observing and controlling safety systems by monitoring and supervising flight instructors and student pilots.

  • Ensuring flight instructors and student pilots comply with the Aviation Safety Manual.

  • Review standards and practices of APSU Aviation Science personnel as they affect flight safety.

• Director of Aviation Maintenance

  • Ensuring all maintenance personnel understand applicable regulatory requirements, standards, and procedures.

  • Identify and develop processes to achieve safe maintenance operations.

  • Monitor maintenance personnel compliance with regulatory requirements and safety performance.

  • Review processes and procedures that may affect flight and ground safety.

• Certified Flight Instructors, Faculty, and Staff

  • Support the Aviation Safety Committee members with implementing, maintaining, and improving the Aviation Safety Program in relation to their responsibilities within the organization.

  • Ensure safety procedures are followed within the program guidelines.

  • Inform the Aviation Safety Coordinator on the performance of the Aviation Safety Program and the need for improvements.

  • Identify hazards within the operation.

  • Promote safety within all aspects of the program.

  • Assess safety risks.

  • Ensure the effectiveness of safety risk controls and report any risk control shortcomings or additional hazards.

• Student Pilots

  • Read and periodically review the APSU Aviation Safety Manual.

  • Implement the applicable safety policies and procedures into all aspects of their aviation training.

  • Report any identified safety hazards to the Aviation Safety Coordinator.

2.6 – Compliance with Standards

All personnel must comply with approved standards, including:

• APSU Aviation Student Handbook

• APSU Aviation Risk Management Manual

• APSU Aviation Safety Manual

• APSU Policies and Procedures

• Aircraft Manufacturer’s Pilots Operating Handbook

• Applicable FAA regulations

APSU Aviation Science leadership is committed to identifying deviations from standards and taking immediate correction action. Corrective action can include counseling, training, discipline, grounding, or removal. Corrective action must be consistent and fair.

APSU Aviation Science leadership makes a clear distinction between honest mistakes and intentional noncompliance with standards. Simple mistakes occur and they are addressed through counseling and training. Research has shown that most accidents involve some form of flawed decision-making, which most often involves noncompliance with known standards.

Noncompliance with standards rarely results in an accident. However, it always increases the risk of that particular operation. APSU Aviation Science agrees with the following conclusions:

• Compliance with known procedures produces known outcomes.

• Compliance with standards helps guarantee repeatable results.

• Complacency affects the safe operation of the aircraft.

• Standards are mechanisms for change.

• In most cases, the “hardest thing to do” and the “right thing to do” are often the same.

Unacceptable Behavior

In aviation, unacceptable pilot behavior encompasses actions and attitudes that compromise safety, potentially leading to incidents and accidents. These behaviors stem from various factors, including human errors, hazardous attitudes, and poor decision-making. 

The following are examples of unacceptable behavior:

• Ignoring Safety Procedures

  • Disregarding checklists, preflight inspections, or other established safety protocols.

• Fatigue and Stress

  • Operating an aircraft while experiencing fatigue or excessive stress, which lead to impaired judgment.

• Substance Abuse

  • Flying under the influence of drugs, alcohol, or prescribed medications.

• Violating Federal Regulations or APSU Policies

  • Intentionally breaking the regulations and policies that govern aviation.

At no time, will unacceptable behavior be tolerated at Austin Peay State University.

Unacceptable behavior poses a significant threat to aviation safety. By identifying and addressing these behaviors, promoting a strong safety culture, and continually improving pilot training and awareness, we can strive to meet the APSU Aviation Science goal of zero accidents and produce professional pilots.

2.7 – Non-Punitive Reporting and “Just Culture”

Non-Punitive Reporting

APSU Aviation Science is committed to assuring individuals will not face disciplinary action for reporting safety concerns, errors, or near misses, as long as they are acting in good faith and not engaging in criminal activity or gross negligence.

We want to create a safe space for individuals to report potential hazards or incidents without fear of reprisal and encourage a culture of open communication and transparency for improving safety.

Key elements of a non-punitive reporting system:

• Trust

  • Individuals must trust their reports will not be used against them and not face disciplinary action for reporting mistakes or near misses.

• Confidentiality

  • The reporting system should be confidential, protecting the identity of the reporter and those involved with the incident.

  • However, providing your name will assist in closing the loop on the report.

• Ease of Reporting

  • The process for submitting reports should be simple and accessible.

• Focus on Learning and Improvement

  • The goal of reporting is identifying potential hazards and improve safety, not to assign blame or punish individuals.

• Non-Retaliation

  • The organization must commit to not taking punitive actions against individuals who report safety concerns in good faith.

Just Culture

APSU Aviation Science is dedicated to creating strong and positive safety culture and the first step is to establish trust and ensure it is just.
An effective reporting culture depends on how an organization handles blame and punishment.

Only a very small proportion of human actions that are unsafe are deliberate and as such deserve sanctions of appropriate severity. However, a blanket amnesty on all credibility and oppose a natural justice. Therefore, a “no blame” culture is not feasible or desirable.

In a “Just Culture,” there is an atmosphere of trust where individuals are encouraged for providing essential safety-related information, but there is also a clear line between acceptable and unacceptable behavior. 

Under a “Just Culture,” individuals are not blamed for making “honest mistakes,” but are held accountable for willful violations and gross negligence.

People are less willing to inform the organization about their own errors, safety problems, or hazards if they are afraid of being punished. Such a lack of trust form employees prevents management from being properly informed of the actual risks and therefore, unable to make the right decisions in order to improve safety.

2.8 – Emergency Preparedness and Response

The Aviation Safety Coordinator in coordination with the Aviation Science Program Director/Chief Flight Instructor and the University’s Director of Emergency & Risk Management in the development and updating of an Emergency Response Plan.   

In the event of an aircraft accident, the Emergency Response Plan will be initiated by the pilot-in-command or appropriate Aviation Science faculty and staff. The Nashville FSDO or the NTSB will be notified in accordance with the Emergency Response Plan and appropriate regulatory requirements. In the event the accident is investigated by the FAA or NTSB, the APSU Aviation Science faculty and staff will assist the investigation, as directed.

The Aviation Safety Coordinator is responsible for assuring that all APSU aviation personnel are trained to manage aviation emergencies, based on their role in the organization. 

Emergency drills should be conducted periodically and in collaboration with the APSU Public Safety Office.

2.9 – Documentation and Record-Keeping

All Aviation Safety documentation will be housed electronically, on the APSU Aviation Science share drive.

The Aviation Safety Coordinator will be responsible for retaining any applicable aviation safety documentation and the following requirements:

• Maintain records of outputs of safety risk management processes. These records must be retained for as long as the control remains relevant to the operation.

• Maintain records of outputs of safety assurance processes. Such records must be retained for a minimum of 5 years.

• Maintain a record of all training. Such records must be retained for as long as the individual is employed by the person.

• Retain records of all communications for a minimum of 24 calendar months