Flight Test Safety Committee

The Flight Test Safety Committee (FTSC) was formed jointly in November 1994 by members of the Society of Experimental Test Pilots (SETP), the Society of Flight Test Engineers (SFTE) and the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA). These and numerous additional organizations presently comprise the FTSC. The purpose of the FTSC is to initiate and sustain a flight test related safety organization intended to promote flight safety, reduce the risk of mishap, promote risk reduction management and continually improve the profession's communication and coordination.
About FTSC

2019 Flight Test Safety Workshop - Registration Open

2019 Flight Test Safety Workshop
              6-9 May 2019

Charleston Marriott
Charleston, South Carolina

 

“Data To Assure Success – the key enabler to Safety Assurance in Flight Test. Besides a test point that is “within tolerance,” how do we really know we’re executing our tests safely? The 2019 edition of the FTSW aims to explore processes, methods and data to “close-the-loop” on safety management and enable safer and more efficient test execution.”

Come join us in the Low Country for a deep dive on Safety Assurance in flight test. Arguably one of the more challenging aspects of a robust Safety Management System (SMS), the FTSW will provide a comprehensive look at methods to validate the effectiveness of risk mitigations – developed in planning and employed in the conduct of test. The tutorial will lay the foundation, to include a review of SMS voluntary standards and the means by which flight test organizations should incorporate recommended practices to monitor the effectiveness of safety risk controls. Subject matter experts will also share their experiences with reporting tools and how to audit for success; these can help participants shape or enhance their Safety Management Systems. We’ll also touch on data that helps keep us safe and efficient. To complement and reinforce the theme, we will  hear from test teams on their SMS Safety Assurance journey. Specifically, what discoveries (hazards) were made in test that were – or were not – sufficiently identified and risks not adequately mitigated. As a bonus, we will kick-off the FTSW with a scenario-based training module on emergency response and finish with a tour of the Boeing Dreamliner production facility!

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER!

2019 Flight Test Safety Workshop - Hotel Info

2019 Flight Test Safety Workshop
6-9 May 2019

Hotel Information

Charleston Marriott
Charleston, South Carolina

170 Lockwood Boulevard
Charleston, SC  29403
Phone: +1 843-723-3000

A limited block of rooms is reserved at the government per diem rate of $207.00 per night. Please CLICK HERE to book your room.

Please reserve your room by Monday, 15 April 2019 in order to guarantee this rate.

The Flight Test Safety Workshop Hotel Cut Off Date is Monday 15 April. If you have any intention of attending the workshop please book a room now because we will not be able to help you get one after the cutoff date. You can cancel up to 48 hours prior if you are unable to make it.

Download the FTSC Brief - A Call for Greater Focus on Flight Test Safety

Click the Image Below to Download the FTSC Brief - A Call for Greater Focus on Flight Test Safety 

FTSC Canned Brief 2018TWH112718

11/27/2018

FTSF 19-04: Airshows and Landing at Your Own Risk

As promised, this month’s edition of the Flight Test Safety Fact includes an editorial by LCDR Kurt Pfeffer (USCG).  “I had a brief chance to meet Tom Huff as he spoke to our class finishing up at USNTPS (June 2017) and at SETP events, but otherwise haven’t had any other contact with the FTSC.  I’m a former Marine and current Coastie, with a background in C-130, G100, and GV aircraft.” He hopes that you will get a chance to meet at the workshop in May.

In his editorial, Kurt succinctly collates the principles taught by others and describes how he applied them to an “elevated risk, low frequency” situation.  I am delighted to report that editorial reviewers have already praised his column, but sharing this medium with people like Kurt also advances our goal to Reach Everyone.  The outcome of his story is mundane precisely because it wasn’t catastrophic, but his suggestions also weave into the major theme of this month’s issue: Airshows.  

Airshows amaze us and polarize us. 

Over three thousand words have traveled to and fro, here and there, by way of the internet this past week.  Each of these words was the result of the newsletter you are about to read. Many people have reviewed its contents, and two main themes emerged.  One editorial group suggested that I rework the article to emphasize one theme.  Others found the newsletter thought-provoking as is. Both themes are important, but the mere volume of correspondence that these reflections stimulated are my reason for leaving it unchanged and perhaps unfinished.

I don’t know.  

That’s my answer, as you will find many questions in this edition.  Hopefully, a future edition will include some of the letters I received this week as well as an op-ed from those highlighted in the article.  

Please continue to send comments, feedback, suggestions, and letters to the editor to myself or Tom Huff, FTSC Chairman.

Sincerely,
Mark Jones Jr.
Editor

For convenience and security, download the newsletter here.