Aircraft accidents have a lower accident rate than other means of transportation, but they are also raised as social problems as well as massive loss of lives and property in the event of an accident. Therefore, the interest in aviation safety continu...
Aircraft accidents have a lower accident rate than other means of transportation, but they are also raised as social problems as well as massive loss of lives and property in the event of an accident. Therefore, the interest in aviation safety continues to increase, and this study suggested the improvement of the aviation safety management system based on the risk assessment considering the environment and characteristics of Army aviation.
Since its foundation in 1948, Army Aviation has been striving to fulfill its responsibilities and roles to protect the lives, property and territory of the people, but unfortunately, a number of accidents have occurred, causing not only national property losses but also precious life losses. Therefore, Army Air is constantly striving to improve its combat capabilities based on aviation safety.
To achieve aviation safety, we must understand the interrelationships between the components of people, machines and the environment, as shown by the theory of system models and SHELL, and keep interrelationships in optimal condition. Understanding and managing the relationship between these components is the aviation safety management system, and continuing to maintain and effectively operate the air safety management system not only in the military but also in the private sector.
The aviation safety management system consists of safety policy, risk management, safety assurance and safety promotion, and will focus on risk assessment for dual risk management. The aviation safety management system of the Incheon International Airport Corporation, the Korean Air Force, and the U.S. Army Aviation was analyzed based on risk assessment, and the methods were sought to apply to the Korean Army Aviation.
Currently, Korea's Army Aviation Administration is organized as a small-scale military unit under the Army, so regulations and guidelines on aviation safety-related risk assessment are not clearly provided, and there are many needs to be supplemented in terms of organization and institutional aspects to conduct such risk assessment.
To identify practical risk factors through risk assessment by Army Aviation and to lower the risk to the extent that risk decisions can be taken. Pre-preparation of the first stage, identification of the second stage risk factors, estimation and determination of the third stage of risk, establishment and implementation of the fourth stage of risk reduction measures, and detailed standards were established in consideration of the characteristics and environment of Army Aviation in each stage by stage.
Considering pilots, aircraft, operating environment, etc., the possibility (frequency) and severity criteria suitable for Army aviation were presented and the risk decision was made based on them. Risk factors are selected in consideration of weather conditions, aircraft conditions, and pilot physical (mental) conditions that directly affect helicopter transport, and the possibility and severity are selected based on them. If this determined risk is an unacceptable risk, aviation safety may be ensured by establishing and implementing measures to reduce it only if it is an acceptable risk.
A development plan in the structural, human and institutional aspects of Army Aviation was proposed to apply the risk assessment to ensure aviation safety in a practical and efficient manner.
On the structural side, it is also necessary to set up specialized instruments that can control the air safety sector at the Army level, and to reinforce aircraft capabilities at the field corps level that actually operate helicopters. On the human side, professional training opportunities for aviation safety practitioners to evaluate their expertise and practical risks should be expanded, and such aviation safety training should be mandatory for safety practitioners.
On the institutional side, performance evaluation and regular and occasional supervision of the aviation safety management system is necessary, and the expansion of related safety organizations is essential for these activities to have practical effects.