“Can organizational culture play a factor in flight test safety?”

Organizations each have their own unique cultural attributes, but which of those contribute to an environment of enhanced flight test safety? Conversely, what organizational environmental characteristic create adverse climate and the potential for reduced overall safety? For those organizations that have a Safety Management System (SMS) or aspire to implement/mature a SMS, the 2022 edition of the FTSW will explore how culture underpins an effective SMS and safer flight test operations. The first-day Tutorial will review the elements of the SMS Policy and Objectives component. Specifically, what do the published standards require in terms of a conforming Policy and the commitment to support the SMS and pursue a positive safety culture? Attendees will leave the Workshop with exemplary Policy statement examples, and we’ll work together to formulate reasonable and meaningful objectives that could be used in your flight test organization to boost safety emphasis and improve performance. For the technical paper presentation portion of the Workshop, we want to hear from testers on their experiences regarding organizational factors – both good or bad – that played a role in the conduct of flight testing. Join us 3-5 May 2022 in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida as we return to in-person Workshop and shared learning to make flight test safer. The event includes technical tours of the amazing facilities of both Sikorsky and Pratt and Whitney.

Hope to see you there!