Blog Archive

Software Safety

The complexity of each new generation of commercial or military aircraft is growing exponentially due to an ever-increasing demand for new functionality. Software offers the least cost option to implement new functions in modern aerospace systems. As a result, software complexity has grown beyond human comprehension. This article offers my thoughts on what this means for system safety.

Pathological Organisations Do Not Learn

Learning from experience is a critical element in system safety. In this blog post, I will revisit the impact of safety culture on what response can be expected from an organisation when a major accident happens. More specifically, I will explain the main reasons why a *pathological organisation* is not supportive of public inquiry and, as a result, unable to learn from a tragic safety loss.

The Tiger That Mauled Itself

In aviation circles, the Grumman F-11 Tiger is known as a capable carrier-based fighter aircraft, the second operational jet in US Navy service that could fly faster than the speed of sound. In popular culture, it is better known as one of the first types flown by the Blue Angels and, most regrettably, it can also claim the title as the first fighter jet that managed to shoot itself down.

Workplace Safety v System Safety

It is a common misconception that workplace safety and system safety have the same objectives. In short, wrong. With few exceptions, mixing up workplace and system safety management is not only counterproductive, it can also lead to serious consequences.

GA Tech Aerospace Engineering Program

I have just returned from a visit to the Georgia Tech campus in Atlanta, GA. I was fortunate enough to have been invited by distinguished faculty of the Daniel Guggenheim School of Aerospace Engineering (AE School) to hold some introductory lectures.