The Aviation Safety Department administers ݮƵ Daytona Beach College of Aviation’s Safety Management System (SMS) across its operational divisions, including the Flight Department, Aviation Maintenance Science and Uncrewed Aircraft Systems.
The department supports a proactive, just-culture approach to safety through hazard identification, safety reporting, safety risk management, safety assurance, emergency preparedness, safety data analysis and safety education.
To maintain independence and accountability, the Aviation Safety Department reports directly to the Dean of the College of Aviation, the SMS accountable executive.
The College of Aviation also participates in the Federal Aviation Administration’s Part 5 SMS Voluntary Program (SMSVP), reinforcing its commitment to a structured, continuously improving approach to safety management.
Embry-Riddle promotes a confidential, just-culture safety reporting environment modeled on recognized aviation safety reporting practices. The non-punitive reporting program plays a critical role in identifying hazards, assessing associated risks and guiding effective mitigation strategies across the College of Aviation’s operational divisions, including the Flight Department, Uncrewed Aircraft Systems and Aviation Maintenance Science. Reporting applies to all faculty, staff and students.
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 enter into a formal agreement to implement ASAP for pilots, fleet maintenance personnel and Part 145 Engine Repair Station personnel. Self-reporting through ASAP provides valuable information to the Aviation Safety Department while protecting the submitter from possible FAA certificate action if Federal Aviation Regulations (FAR) are inadvertently broken.
The Embry-Riddle College of Aviation Safety Management System (SMS) provides a structured, college-wide framework for managing safety risk and evaluating the effectiveness of safety risk controls. The SMS integrates safety policy, safety risk management, safety assurance and safety promotion into one continuously improving process. The system supports safety performance monitoring, management review, internal safety audits, safety investigations, training and safety communication across College of Aviation operations.
The Aviation Safety Department maintains the Flight Department’s Emergency Response Plan (ERP), which defines roles, responsibilities and communication protocols to support coordinated responses. The plan is reinforced through regular tabletop exercises and coordination with relevant departments, while emergency preparedness for Aviation Maintenance Science and Uncrewed Aircraft Systems aligns with the university’s broader emergency management framework.
Embry-Riddle aircraft are equipped with advanced avionics that support the university’s Flight Data Monitoring (FDM) program. Through the secure cellular transmission of flight data following each flight, the Aviation Safety Department monitors operational trends, advances safety awareness and supports the continuous improvement of flight operations within a confidential, non-punitive safety framework.
Student Spotlight
I have always been fascinated by all aspects of flight. I am naturally inquisitive and always strive for improvement. I want to work to figure out what went wrong, why it went wrong and how we can prevent it from happening again... Learning from past mistakes and making the necessary improvements is the main reason why we have been able to make such great strides in this industry.”
Shyan Khalil (’25), Aerospace and Occupational Safety
