The following document was a result of the MSI Safety Summit held in Waxhaw, NC on May 16 and 17, 2005. The representatives of various missionary aviation organizations that were present drafted and voted on the following statements:
MSI Safety Certification
Organizations seeking MSI safety certification agree to the following underlying philosophy of safety:
Whereas God is sovereign, and He has ordered this world under natural and human laws, we affirm the need to implement common standards that allow us to safely serve, with accountability, as good stewards of the aviation ministries God has entrusted to us.
In addition, they agree to have and comply with:
A written Operational Safety Manual that addresses the following issues:
1. Flight crew
- a. Minimum qualifications
- i. Flight experience and license relevant to type of operations.
- ii. Appropriate medical exam
- b. Initial training
- c. Recurrent training, including
- i. VFR
- ii. IFR
- iii. Multi-engine/ float /helicopter / other
- d. Upgrade training
- e. Transition training
2. Maintenance crew (mechanics/engineers and avionics)
- a. Minimum qualifications
- i. License appropriate to country and type of operations
- b. Initial training
- c. Recurrent training
- i. Per industry standards
- d. Upgrade training
3. Other personnel (administrators, flight followers, emergency responders, hangar helpers)
- a. Administrators
- b. Flight followers
- c. Emergency responders
- d. Hangar helpers
- i. Initial
- ii. Recurrent
- iii. Supervision that is needed
4. Flight operations
- a. Hazardous weather policy and minimums.
- b. VFR operations
- i. Weather minimums – visibility AND ceiling
- ii. Fuel reserves
- c. IFR / Night operations
- i. Fuel reserves
- ii. Alternates
- iii. Minimum equipment required
- iv. Electronic systems and navigation procedures
- v. Minimum altitudes
- vi. Ceiling and visibility
- d. Daylight reserves, as applicable, considering variables such as:
- i. Pilot qualifications
- ii. Available alternates
- iii. Fuel reserves
- e. Weight and CG limits
- f. Oxygen use
- g. Flight Following / Emergency Response Procedures
- i. Accident
- ii. Incident
- iii. Violent acts (hijack, kidnap, etc.)
- h. Take-off and landing performance requirements
- i. Airstrips
- i. Minimum requirements
- ii. Directory
- j. Navigational charts
- k. Multi-engine operations
- l. Flight and/or duty times
- m. Checklists
- n. Cargo handling
- i. Securing cargo
- ii. Dangerous goods
- o. Minimum Equipment List (regarding inoperative equipment)
- p. Special operations
- i. Air drops
- ii. First landings at new airstrips
- iii. Evacuations (medical, security, etc.)
5. Maintenance operations
- a. Airworthiness
- b. Inspection intervals
- c. Inspection forms
- d. Maintenance environment
- e. Equipment / tools
- f. Overhaul intervals
- g. Double inspection on critical systems
- h. Technical library
- i. Access to current, appropriate information is required.
6. Security – a security assessment and appropriate plan are required for each of the following areas:
- a. Aircraft security
- b. Parts security
- i. Inventory management controls
- c. Fuel security
- i. Inventory system
- ii. Contamination protection program
- d. Cargo/baggage
- i. Security system – tampering / theft / screening
- ii. Dangerous goods
7. Safety Management Systems
- a. System in place that allows the organization to create, evaluate, and improve a safe working environment
- i. MUST be written
- ii. Must be in use
- b. Follow-up/accountability
- i. Periodic review of system.
NOTE: Each of these areas must be considered for your operations. You may find that some areas are not applicable to your operation, and if so, a simple statement to that effect is all that should be included in your manual.