Aviation Safety Department

The Aviation Safety Department is responsible for administering Embry-Riddle’s Aviation Safety Program. The Aviation Safety Department takes a proactive approach to safety by emphasizing accident prevention, hazard identification, safety data collection and dissemination, comprehensive emergency response procedures, and an active safety education program. To maintain accountability, the Aviation Safety Department is completely independent from the Flight Department, reporting directly to the Dean of the College of Aviation (COA). 

Safety Reporting

Embry-Riddle has a robust safety reporting culture established by emulating the programs and processes used in the airline industry. The non-punitive reporting program is essential in providing visibility to the types of hazards present in Embry-Riddle flight operations so that proper controls can be implemented. Reports can be submitted by all faculty, staff and students who partake in Flight Operations and Aircraft Maintenance on campus in Prescott, Arizona. 

Aviation Safety Action Program 

The primary purpose of the Embry-Riddle Aviation Safety Action Program (ASAP) is to identify safety events and to implement corrective measures that reduce the opportunity for safety to be compromised. Embry-Riddle and the FAA have entered into a formal agreement to implement ASAP for all pilots (instructors and students) and fleet maintenance. The Prescott Campus’ agreement has been continuous since 2013 and renews every two years. Self-reporting through ASAP provides valuable information to the Aviation Safety Department while protecting the submitter from possible FAA enforcement action if Federal Aviation Regulations (FAR) are inadvertently broken. Our ASAP also prepares students for the aviation industry beyond Embry-Riddle, as ASAP is commonplace amongst Part 121 and Part 135 air carriers. 

Safety Management System

The purpose of the Embry-Riddle Safety Management System (SMS) is to consolidate all aspects of Embry-Riddle’s safety program into one overarching, continuously improving process. Policy, risk management, assurance and promotion make up the fundamentals within our SMS to ensure procedures, roles and responsibilities are defined, hazards are identified and risk controls implemented, confidence in the safety program is maintained, and safety issues are communicated to students, instructor pilots and Fleet Maintenance technicians.

Emergency Response Plan

The Embry-Riddle Aviation Safety Department has established a series of procedures and protocols in preparation for a variety of emergencies, known as the Emergency Response Plan (ERP). This comprehensive plan defines specific responsibilities for relevant departments and establishes clear communication protocols. The ERP is regularly drilled to ensure all appropriate personnel is aware of their roles.

Flight Data Monitoring

Embry-Riddle aircraft are equipped with state-of-the-art Garmin avionics suites. This technology allows the Aviation Safety Department to track, monitor and review quantitative flight data for the purpose of maintaining the safety of Embry-Riddle flight operations. This program, called Flight Data Monitoring (FDM), is for non-punitive, safety purposes only, and all flight data may only be analyzed by personnel within the Aviation Safety Department.

Learn more about Aviation Safety n the Embry-Riddle Prescott Flight Department.