Executive Summary
Safety remains the foundational pillar of business aviation, yet the conversations held during three safety-focused roundtable sessions at CALS West 2026 revealed an industry at a crossroads. While formal safety management systems (SMS) and regulatory compliance frameworks are now widespread, participants consistently questioned whether compliance alone is sufficient to address today’s operational, cultural, and human performance challenges.
Across all sessions, three dominant themes emerged. First, attendees emphasized the need to expand the definition of safety beyond procedures and compliance, incorporating mental health, psychological safety, and organizational trust as core components of operational risk management. Second, discussions highlighted the growing importance of data-driven decision-making, particularly the use of flight data monitoring and post-flight analysis as tools for learning rather than punishment. Third, participants returned repeatedly to the roles of culture and leadership, noting that safety outcomes are ultimately shaped by how organizations manage risk appetite, conflict, training, and human performance.
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