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Illustration titled “The Two Lenses of Safety” showing a helicopter in the center. On the left, a smiling man looks toward a green downward trend chart. On the right, a concerned man points at a red upward trend chart. The text “Success or Warning Sign?” appears in the middle

Helicopter Operations: What the Numbers Don’t Tell Us

The EASA Annual Safety Review 2025 paints an interesting picture of helicopter operations in Europe. Fatal accidents are at their lowest...

Margrét Hrefna Pétursdóttir

Sep 10, 20252 min read

Illustration of aircraft on runway: left shows landing stabilised at 1,000 ft with safety margin, right shows landing at 500 ft with reduced margin and fuel saving.

Runway Excursions is Still the Top Risk: When Fuel Saving Undermines Safety

The 2025 Annual Safety Review, published by EASA on 26 August, once again confirms that runway excursions remain one of the top accident...

Margrét Hrefna Pétursdóttir

Sep 8, 20252 min read

Split illustration showing data being sent to a regulator vs. operators using the same data for decisions.

Myth Buster: Safety Data Is Just for Regulators

❌ Myth: Safety data is something you collect because the authority requires it. ✅ Reality: Safety data is one of the most valuable...

Margrét Hrefna Pétursdóttir

Sep 5, 20252 min read

Split illustration of cabin crew injured in turbulence and ground staff on apron, showing rising injury risks.

Cabin and Ground Injuries on the Rise: What We Need to Know

The 2025 Annual Safety Review , published by EASA on 26 August, highlights a trend that often goes unnoticed: injuries to cabin crew and...

Margrét Hrefna Pétursdóttir

Sep 3, 20252 min read

Split illustration of Annual Safety Review: report on a shelf versus team in safety meeting using charts and data.

Learning from the 2025 Annual Safety Review: What Do the Numbers Really Mean for Operators?

On 26 August 2025 , EASA published the latest Annual Safety Review . It provides a wealth of data about accidents, serious incidents, and...

Margrét Hrefna Pétursdóttir

Sep 1, 20252 min read

Split image: risk assessment as paperwork vs. collaborative team making better decisions

Myth Buster: Risk Assessments Are Only for the Authority

The Myth: Many still believe that risk assessments are just a formality, a document to tick off and send to the authority. The Reality:...

Margrét Hrefna Pétursdóttir

Aug 29, 20251 min read

Split illustration of Part-145 SMS: left side shows staff using a phone to report and work on an aircraft, right side shows SMS manuals, highlighting compliance vs culture.

Part-145 SMS: On Paper vs. In Practice

In December 2024, the requirement for Safety Management Systems in Part-145 organisations became mandatory. The intention is clear:...

Margrét Hrefna Pétursdóttir

Aug 27, 20252 min read

Educational graphic about resilience in aviation, depicting GNSS spoofing near conflict zones and the importance of crew and dispatcher awareness.

Resilience in Aviation: GNSS Spoofing, Flight Planning and Operator Preparedness

One of the priorities in the European Plan for Aviation Safety (EPAS 2023–2025) is building resilience in our aviation system. That...

Margrét Hrefna Pétursdóttir

Aug 25, 20252 min read

Infographic showing an arc labeled 'Improvement Focus' with safety on one side, efficiency on the other, and a balanced middle zone marked as the optimal safety space in aviation operations.

Continuous Improvement: Finding the Balance Between Safety and Practicality

Continuous improvement is a principle that every safety and compliance professional embraces. It’s about looking for ways to do things...

Margrét Hrefna Pétursdóttir

Aug 13, 20252 min read

Illustration of a classical building labeled "Safety Management System" supported by four vertical pillars labeled Flight Operations, Technical Operations, Ground Operations, and Crew Training. The base of the structure is labeled "Organisation Training," representing the foundation.

Training Is the Foundation: Why Safety Depends on Getting It Right

In every audit or investigation, whether internal or external, routine or triggered by an occurrence, we ask the same questions: What...

Margrét Hrefna Pétursdóttir

Aug 4, 20252 min read

Illustration of a flight attendant holding an AED, looking at an overhead bin filled with personal bags, unsure where to stow the equipment.

Common Operations Finding: Emergency Equipment Not in Place

“On board” is not enough — it must be ready and reachable In the fast-paced world of aviation, every item on board has a purpose —...

Margrét Hrefna Pétursdóttir

Aug 1, 20252 min read

Digital illustration showing a close-up view of an aircraft panel with a loose fastener, highlighting a common inspection finding

Common Line Station Finding: Loose Fasteners

A cosmetic issue with operational consequences In aviation, not every issue found during inspections is safety-critical. But some of the...

Margrét Hrefna Pétursdóttir

Jul 30, 20252 min read

Illustration of an aircraft cargo compartment with luggage loaded above the marked maximum line, highlighting a fire safety violation

“It’s Just One Extra Bag...” or Is It? A Common Finding in Ground Handling

Summer in aviation is busy. Flights are full, turnaround times are tight, and baggage loads are heavier than usual. Ground handling teams...

Margrét Hrefna Pétursdóttir

Jul 28, 20252 min read

A captain sits writing a report while other aviation crew members stand passively behind him, symbolizing the misconception that only the captain needs to report safety occurrences.

Myth Buster: “If one person reports it, that’s enough.”

🧠 Wrong. In aviation, no one sees the full picture , not even the most experienced professional. 👁️ What you saw 🧍 Where you stood 🎧...

Margrét Hrefna Pétursdóttir

Jul 25, 20251 min read

A female aviation safety investigator stands calmly in the foreground holding a tablet, separated by soft light from a group of animated aviation workers gossiping in the background. The visual represents professionalism, confidentiality, and the importance of protecting the integrity of safety investigations

Protecting the Process: Why Confidentiality Matters in Aviation Safety Investigations

On Monday, we shared why everyone who witnesses an occurrence should report it — because no single person sees the full picture. But...

Margrét Hrefna Pétursdóttir

Jul 23, 20252 min read

A pilot and a ground worker point at the same number on the ground, one sees a 6, the other a 9, while a brain hovers between them, illustrating how perception varies in aviation

One Event, Many Views: Why Every Witness Should Report in Aviation

In aviation, we rely on people (pilots, technicians, cabin crew, and ground staff), to operate complex systems, follow precise...

Margrét Hrefna Pétursdóttir

Jul 21, 20253 min read

Myth: Fatigue just means someone's tired

Myth Buster: Why Fatigue Isn’t Just Tiredness in Aviation

MYTH: “Fatigue just means someone’s tired — they just need a good night's sleep.” REALITY: Fatigue isn’t just tiredness — it’s a...

Margrét Hrefna Pétursdóttir

Jul 18, 20251 min read

Accountability in Aviation: It Starts (and Stays) at the Top

In aviation, where safety is non-negotiable and standards are high, the word "accountability" carries more than symbolic weight. It’s...

Margrét Hrefna Pétursdóttir

Jul 16, 20252 min read

Getting to the Root – It’s Almost Never One

In audits, investigations, or improvement reviews, we’re often asked: ❓ “What was the root cause?” But here’s the truth: 🔍 There’s...

Margrét Hrefna Pétursdóttir

Jul 11, 20252 min read

What the difference between RCA, RA & Contributing Factors

Root Cause, Risk Assessment & Contributing Factors — What’s the Difference?

In the world of aviation safety and compliance, we often hear these three terms used interchangeably: Root Cause Analysis , Risk...

Margrét Hrefna Pétursdóttir

Jul 9, 20252 min read