As an extension of our recent work rules vocabulary article, we’re bringing you a new installment in our Aviation Vocab 101 series. Check out the first story in our series: Aviation Vocab 101: Work Rules
At the core of every airline, regional and major, is a commitment to safety. ExpressJet has one of the strongest safety records in the airline industry thanks to our crews, mechanics and operations team members’ focus on safety in their every day actions.
There are Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) mandated safety programs that carriers must follow, and several programs that ExpressJet participates in voluntarily to be proactive in safety. ExpressJet is committed to providing our crews and passengers with the safest environment possible. Highlighted below are only a few of the programs that we incorporate into our daily operations here at ExpressJet:
Aviation Safety Action Program (ASAP): The purpose of ASAP is to identify and reduce safety concerns, minimize deviations from Federal Aviation Regulations, and implement corrective measures that manage the risks as part of Safety Systems at ExpressJet. ASAP provides our pilots, dispatchers, mechanics, and flight attendants at ExpressJet with a voluntary, cooperative, non-punitive environment for candid reporting.
Flight Operations Quality Assurance (FOQA): FOQA is a safety program that provides insight into potential safety risks, procedural compliance, aircraft health, and operational efficiencies through routine analysis of Digital Flight Data Recorder (DFDR) data. The program is completely voluntary and is operated under a joint agreement between ExpressJet Airlines, the Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA) and the FAA.
Irregular Operations Report (IOR): IORs are the primary reporting program and two-way communication system of all events, recommendations, incidents, accidents and safety concerns to the Company, FAA and NTSB. It also creates a method for data collection, analysis, and dissemination to ExpressJet leadership, and allows the reporting employee to be informed of changes implemented based on their report and.or recommendation.
Safety Management System (SMS): ExpressJet was the first regional airline to voluntarily implement the Safety Management System (SMS) program prior to it being required. SMS is a systematic and comprehensive process for managing risk and ensuring that our risk control methods are effective.
Line Operation Safety Audit (LOSA): A collaborative safety audit that places trained observers on flight deck jumpseats to collect safety-related data on environmental conditions, operational complexity and flight crew performance. The data are controlled, reviewed, analyzed and reported on by the LOSA Collaborative. This safety initiative has been recognized as an industry best practice for flight deck safety. ExpressJet conducted its first LOSA in April 2010.
We want to help you make the smart choice for your future by providing you with the information you need to know. If you have any questions about our safety programs, visit http://www.expressjet.com/safety/
Check out the other articles in our Aviation Vocab 101 Series: