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School of Aviation
Safety

Safety Policy

The School of Aviation at Auburn University is committed to a disciplined, data-driven Safety Management System (SMS) that makes safety our highest operational priority and supports measurable safety objectives. With approximately 44,000 flight hours, 25,000 flight/training events, 29,000 maintenance man-hours and 2,800 maintenance activities last year, all faculty, staff, students and operational partners must identify hazards, manage risk, follow procedures and support voluntary non-punitive reporting.

 

Our Commitment to Safety

We are committed to maintaining a robust Safety Management System (SMS) that ensures the well-being of our students, faculty, staff, and the public.

Our commitment to safety:

  1. Safety Objectives, Accountability and Commitment:  The Dean serves as the Accountable Executive for SMS performance, while School of Aviation leadership, the Director and the Safety Manager are responsible for implementation, oversight, annual review and continuous improvement of measurable safety objectives. 
  2. Resources:  Leadership will provide the personnel, training, financial, operational and management resources necessary to implement, sustain and improve the SMS.
  3. Safety Reporting: Employees, faculty, staff, students and operational personnel are required to promptly report hazards, incidents, unsafe conditions, procedural deviations and maintenance concerns through the approved safety reporting process; good-faith voluntary reports are encouraged and protected to support hazard identification, risk management and continuous improvement.
  4. Just Culture and Disciplinary Action: Good-faith reporting is protected; however, illegal acts, gross negligence, intentional violations, falsification, substance misuse, reckless conduct or willful disregard of safety controls are unacceptable and may result in disciplinary action.
  5. Emergency Response Plan: The School will maintain and exercise an emergency response plan that supports a safe, coordinated transition from normal operations to emergency operations and return-to-normal procedures.
  6. Code of Ethics: All decisions and actions will reflect integrity, professionalism, accountability and the principle that safety is the highest priority. 

Download the AU School of Aviation SMS Policy Letter.

 

Safety Reporting at Auburn

To enhance our safety culture, a safety reporting system is available to all students, instructors, Auburn University Regional Airport employees and visitors. This online form allows you to report anything you witness or experience that may be inconsistent with FAA and Auburn safety standards, whether it be related to flight, during ground operations or on the airport ramp. While you can choose to remain anonymous on the form, it is helpful to have your contact information in case more information is needed to pursue a satisfactory resolution to the problem you identify. The more information provided about the issue, the better we can work to address it. This information will be used to help us improve the safety of our operations on the ground, in the traffic pattern and around the local flying area.

Auburn University will not seek punitive action for submitting data through this form. Only the Director of Safety has access to these records and will use the information you submit to seek a resolution to the issue. If you have any questions or other concerns, please contact the Director of Safety at aviationsafety@auburn.edu.

Submit Safety Report

 

NASA Reports

If you feel an issue needs to be reported to the NASA Aviation Safety Reporting System (ASRS), then you can submit an electronic NASA Safety Report on the ASRS website. The Aviation Safety Reporting System (ASRS) is operated by NASA and “captures confidential reports, analyzes the resulting aviation safety data, and disseminates vital information to the aviation community.”