Submitted by Centrik

Achieving the high safety standards required in aviation has traditionally required the continuous evolution of regulations to ensure they remain fit for purpose. The past five years alone have seen the implementation of new part-NCC requirements, the transition to EASA regulations, and the requirement for operators to implement new systems for managing their operations and evidencing their processes.

However, the implementation of Performance-Based Regulation (PBR) is different. It isn't just a tweak or a tightening of the rules. It's a complete transformation of the relationship between regulators and the industry, and it's an approach that has the potential to deliver a safer and more collaborative sector.

That's because PBR places an emphasis on being proactive, with operators themselves using their processes to identify key priorities and allocate resources so activities are continuously monitored and improved, not just in response to checks or incidents.

Why open visibility matters

ICAO Annex 19 has already prompted a rethink as to how the two 'sides' engage with each other, to establish a more collaborative relationship. That's a positive step forward as operators want to feel like they have a voice and the regulator wants a safe industry where operators take ownership.

However, for that collaborative approach to continue there needs to be trust, which in turn means there needs to be transparency. In this context transparency essentially translates as 'visible data'. PBR prioritises risk management, and the regulator needs to see that data is being collected and acted upon.

Effectively managing operations and evidencing compliance

Information is required to be systematically collected, analysed and monitored to identify risks and measure progress against outcomes. But data collection alone is not enough. A holistic and comp-rehensive operational management system should show that a particular process or procedure is put in place, run and audited for effectiveness, and that the company has evolved as a result.

One such system is Centrik, which provides access to third parties as and when required and permitted by the operator, a function EASA regulations require operators to evidence. And when live and fully integrated, it is much easier for operators, regulators and airports to provide in-depth evidence of processes and systems when required in advance of audits.

Ian Austin, managing director of jet charter and management business Jet Exchange, uses Centrik to manage his company's AOC. He says: “It's been a real game changer for us. During our recent audit, all the information was right there for the CAA. This drastically reduced the time it took for the audit to be completed and meant we weren't looking around for crucial documents in filing cabinets. It was quick and painless and allowed us to continue to focus on our core business.”

Gloucestershire Airport, which handles more than 75,000 aircraft movements each year, also switched to the fully integrated system and the airport's operations director Darren Lewington estimates he now has an extra three days each month available while his safety manager has freed up more than two days a week.

Regulations updates

Documents such as manuals may fall behind changing legislation, and processes may begin to fall short of what is required by the legislator. The Centrik team is developing an auto-update system that will automatically ensure users are working to the latest regulations without them needing to specifically review them.

This is a submitted article and does not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher of EBAN.