Strengthening Aviation Safety through Voluntary and Mandatory Reporting
The Mexican Federal Civil Aviation Agency (AFAC) continues to bolster its regulatory and administrative framework. On October 6th, AFAC published the Guidelines for using the System for Collection and Processing of Data on Operational Safety (SDCPS) to issue both voluntary and mandatory incident reports, specifying the necessary procedures for obligatory report submissions.
The SDCPS System: A Proactive Approach to Safety
The SDCPS system aims to prevent accidents and incidents by actively engaging all industry members, without seeking faults or liabilities from the reported incidents. The system upholds a strict policy of confidentiality for personal data, focusing on proactive measures.
AFAC’s Commitment to International Best Practices
Under the leadership of General Division Pilot and Aviator Emilio Avendaño García, AFAC has been working closely with the aviation industry since the previous administration. This collaboration is part of Mexico’s commitment to regain Category 1 status from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) of the United States.
Key Functions of SDCPS
AFAC’s primary functions under the SDCPS include:
- Receiving, processing, and analyzing voluntary safety operational reports
- Requesting timely attention to identified hazards from involved parties
- Disseminating depersonalized information to interested parties to improve safety operations
- Directing reports to the appropriate area for attention and follow-up
The purpose of these reports is to identify safety-related hazards and encourage collaboration among various actors in the Mexican aviation sector to continuously improve safety.
Mandatory vs. Voluntary Reports
Mandatory reports encompass information related to significant events impacting the operational safety of the state, such as:
- Accidents
- Incidents (e.g., near-collisions requiring preventive maneuvers)
- Consummated events
Voluntary reports pertain to:
- Safety operational hazards
- Conditions or objects that could lead to an aviation incident or accident
- Information affecting safety operations
- Equipment or infrastructure conditions that could result in an accident or incident
Reporting obligations apply to airlines, airports, Aeropuertos y Servicios Auxiliares (ASA), the Mexican Airspace Navigation Services (SENEAM), workshop aeronautical permit holders, and organizations responsible for aircraft type design or manufacturing, among others.
Key Questions and Answers
- What is the purpose of these new guidelines? The AFAC guidelines aim to strengthen safety in Mexican aviation by establishing clear procedures for reporting both voluntary and mandatory incidents.
- Who must submit these reports? Reporting obligations apply to airlines, airports, Aeropuertos y Servicios Auxiliares (ASA), SENEAM, workshop aeronautical permit holders, and organizations responsible for aircraft type design or manufacturing.
- What types of incidents require mandatory reporting? Mandatory reports cover significant events impacting the operational safety of the state, including accidents, incidents (like near-collisions), and consummated events.
- What topics are covered in voluntary reports? Voluntary reports address safety operational hazards, conditions or objects that could lead to incidents or accidents, information affecting safety operations, and equipment or infrastructure conditions that could result in accidents or incidents.
- How does the SDCPS system ensure confidentiality? The SDCPS system maintains a strict policy of confidentiality for personal data, focusing on proactive measures to enhance aviation safety.
