SASO History

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Since its inception in 2002, the System Approach for Safety Oversight (SASO) Program Office worked to develop and implement a comprehensive, integrated system safety approach to the oversight of all aviation entities. The Flight Standards’ (AFS) Safety Assurance System (SAS), currently under development by the SASO Program Office, is the combination of people, processes, and technology that will be AFS’s safety assurance capability.

This work has aligned with International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) standards and recommended practices regarding implementing Safety Management Systems (SMS) for civil aviation authorities in its member states. As AFS prepares to implement the AFS SAS, it will be a step towards meeting a number of ICAO’s SMS standards and recommended practices.

Historical information from 2011 to 2013 is listed below:

2013

2013 is proving to be a very busy time in SAS implementation. Much work is being completed to finalize SAS policy, implement effective change management, as well as conduct various levels of automation testing. The below visual depicts the testing strategy for SAS Automation:

During Development Test 1, SAS Steering Committee members worked with Volpe program analysts to test the automation. Such testing was completed using automation "test scripts". These test scripts were directly linked to SAS business rules. A week of very intense testing proved to be largely successful. Items that did not pass will be retested in Development Test 2.

In the meantime, the SAS Data Collection Tools (DCTs) are being readied for field testing. First to be tested will be those DCTs applicable to 14 CFR parts 134 and 145. Following that testing, will be the field testing of 14 CFR parts 121. These DCTs will be tested in conjunction with previously scheduled National Air Carrier Evaluation Processes (ACEPs).

2013 will conclude with Beta and User Acceptance Testing.

2012

The SASO Program Office partnered with the AFS Training Division (AFS-500) to initiate development of the following training courses:

• Introduction to SAS
• SAS for Inspectors and Field Office Management
• SAS for Managers
• SAS for Staff
• SAS for Operations Research Analysts
• SAS for Repair Stations located outside the U.S.
• SAS External Portal for Certificate Holders and Applicants
• SAS Train-the-Trainer
• SAS Initial Certification
• SAS Analysis Assessment Action (AAA)
• Data Collection Tool Fundamentals for SAS
• SAS ASI Functions for External Portal

The SASO Program Office coordinated with the AFS Training Division (AFS-500) and the Safety Management Systems (SMS) Program Office (AFS-900) to solicit, select, and train SAS Transition and Readiness Team (START) members. START members have volunteered to be AFS field, regional and headquarters representatives. They serve as on-location SAS representatives for their peers during the transition to the SAS.

START members are formal change agents who pro-actively seek opportunities to share the value of the SAS initiative.

In 2012, the SASO Program Office continued development efforts and strategic planning for the 2013 testing and 2014-2015 implementation.

2011

In 2011, the SASO Program Office focused on developing several change management communications and activities to educate and engage AFS employees and managers, and 14 CFR parts 121, 135, and 145 certificate holders on the transition to SAS.

To support SAS development work in 2011, the SASO Program Office coordinated with members of the AFS workforce to provide their technical expertise to write and review Data Collection Tools (DCTs) and Policy.

In addition, the SASO Program Office partnered with a team of system design/development specialists at the John A. Volpe National Transportation Systems Center (Volpe Center) to work on the automation for the SAS to accompany new SAS business processes.

To assure that developmental efforts yield the desired results, an Executive Review Board (ERB) and Steering Committee were implemented. The ERB oversees the entire initiative and the Steering Committee serves as the governing body for decision-making. (The Steering committee includes representation from all stakeholders.)

Complete SASO History (PDF)