System Approach for Safety Oversight Program (SASO)
What is SASO?
System Approach for Safety Oversight (SASO) is a program established by Flight Standards for developing and implementing a comprehensive, integrated system safety approach to the oversight of all aviation entities.
Who manages SASO?
SASO is managed by the SASO Program Office (AFS-30) within the FAA's Flight Standards Service (AFS).
Why is SASO being implemented?
Today, AFS finds itself facing the dual challenges of increasing air traffic and budget pressure. Current FAA forecasts predict a 57% increase in total scheduled U.S. airline passenger traffic over the period of 2005-2016. In order to reduce accidents while effectively managing resources, AFS must change the way it does business to achieve its goals.
What is system safety and what are some of its benefits?
System safety is the application of special technical and managerial skills to the systematic, forward-looking identification and control of hazards for the aviation industry. System safety is being incorporated into AFS’ core business processes to provide a more effective and efficient safety management approach that will further improve the FAA's safety oversight capabilities. In addition, system safety provides a more cost effective means for achieving the FAA and AFS mission.
How will SASO impact AFS employees?
SASO will help AFS employees attain organizational objectives and goals by more effectively focusing their oversight efforts on high-risk areas. SASO will also align AFS business processes, tools, and infrastructures to help employees more easily accomplish their responsibilities. SASO will incorporate a comprehensive change management program that will prepare employees for forthcoming changes, and assist them in transitioning to a new way of doing business. The change management effort will expand dialogue with the field, involve the work force in program initiatives, provide training, and facilitate the implementation of new processes.
How will SASO affect AFS’ current tools and infrastructure?
Over the course of the multi-year program, the current suite of AFS information systems and decision support tools will be redesigned to accommodate each 14 CFR Part and integrated to better support the information requirements of new system safety based business processes. These changes will make current safety oversight tools and infrastructure more efficient, effective, and user-friendly.
