Moulding & Maintaining Aviation Safety
Source:
Keshani Wickramaratne, an aviation professional, presenting an article cast on 14 June 2024 … one with this title “Aviation Safety and Quality: A Reflection on Responsibility and Resilience“
First and foremost, may all those who lost their lives in the recent Air India air crash rest in peace. Let us hope this marks the final tragedy of its kind in aviation history.
In aviation, airline operators and their supporting industries share one ultimate goal: to deliver quality service grounded in safety. A sustainable aviation business model must be driven by an unyielding focus on delivering intended products and services, ensuring passengers reach their final destinations without compromise. Aviation is a complex chain of interdependent services, with each facility playing a distinct role in ensuring safe and seamless operations. While human factors inevitably influence all aspects of performance, it is our shared responsibility to resist the temptation of taking shortcuts. Tragic incidents serve as a stark reminder of the devastating cost when safety is overlooked.
The International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) plays a key global role by establishing safety standards, which are implemented and enforced by national and regional regulatory bodies. These include the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) in the United States, the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) in Australia, Transport Canada, and other national aviation authorities (NAAs). These regulatory bodies issue Airworthiness Directives (ADs), Service Bulletins (SBs), and Safety Notices, adapting their guidance to match the unique industry culture and operational environments of each country. Their directives help ensure consistent and compliant operations across the globe, enabling the aviation industry to maintain unified safety and quality standards worldwide.
On the front line of this effort are Safety Managers and Quality Managers. These professionals act as the bridge between the regulatory authorities and the operators. They are required to demonstrate their competence through rigorous interviews, beyond holding academic and practical qualifications. Once deemed capable, they are appointed as “Form 4 Holders,” signifying their official approval to oversee safety and quality within the organisation.
Whenever tragedy strikes, it is a stark reminder for all industry stakeholders to reflect on the real cost of neglecting safety. Investing in quality and compliance is not an overhead—it is the very backbone of a customer-focused, sustainable aviation industry.
No Shortcuts in Safety: Accountability Begins With Us
Let us remember: safety is not optional; it is our duty. Take a moment to reflect on how you have supported quality and safety audits in your role. In truth, you are the real auditor of your job. It’s not just about compliance forms or external inspections; it’s about your daily choices, your attention to detail, and your willingness to speak up when something isn’t right. Supervisors and managers carry a critical responsibility: they must weigh safety and quality with the same, if not greater, importance than production output. Cutting corners might seem like a time-saver in the short term, but it erodes the very foundation of a sustainable business.
In my past experience, I’ve witnessed entrepreneurs attempting to register aircraft without the mandatory Type Certificate—a serious breach, since it’s a requirement to obtain a Certificate of Registration from regulatory authorities. Worse still, some tried to use political influence to bypass the process, not just in developing nations, but even in countries with advanced aviation systems.
True Heroism Lies in Proactive Integrity, Not Reckless Risk
Employees who take unnecessary risks to impress their superiors should not be celebrated as heroes. The real champions are those who act proactively, make responsible decisions, and prevent issues before they escalate. When something goes wrong, there’s no need to wait for an external audit. Your conscience should be your first auditor. Acting with integrity and accountability ensures that corrective and preventive measures are taken promptly—not as a last resort, and not by stretching the boundaries of standard tolerances in the manuals. Let’s move away from glorifying last-minute saviours and instead build a culture that values vigilance, foresight, and a commitment to doing things right from the start.
In an Emergency, yes, it is hard. Patience Is a Passenger’s Greatest Contribution
As passengers, when an aircraft makes an emergency landing, we must learn to remain patient and composed. It’s easy to react emotionally or express frustration, but remember you’re still here to speak your mind because the crew made the right call. No pilot or airline chooses to divert or land unexpectedly unless safety is at stake. These decisions carry enormous consequences, including operational disruptions and potential reputational damage. Yet they make them courageously because protecting lives will always matter more than preserving an image.
So the next time you find yourself in a tense aviation moment, take a breath, trust the professionals, and understand that sometimes the safest decision won’t be the most convenient, but it will be the one that brings you home.
Let the Lessons of Tragedy Guide the Future
Investigation results can illuminate pathways to a safer future for those still on the ground, and those yet to take flight. But for those who’ve already lost their lives, true justice is never fully served unless we transform sorrow into action.
If we don’t stand up today for safety, for quality, for integrity, we risk becoming silent bystanders to future loss. Your neighbour’s life, your family’s safety, even your peace of mind, they’re all bound to the same
By Keshani Wickramarathna Aviation Professional, 14 June 2024
