NASA Procedural Requirements

NPR 8715.1B Effective Date: February 01, 2021 Expiration Date: February 01, 2026

Subject: NASA Safety and Health Programs

Responsible Office: Office of Safety and Mission Assurance

Chapter 10. Aviation Safety

10.1 Aviation Safety Program

10.1.1 NASA maintains an Aviation Safety Program to ensure the safety of its highly diversified aviation activities. The NASA Aviation Safety Program has the following primary objectives:

a. Preserving human and material resources by preventing damage and injury through the identification and elimination of aviation safety hazards throughout NASA.

b. Enhancing awareness of aviation safety objectives and related considerations by relevant NASA civil servants and contractor personnel.

10.1.2 This chapter assigns key responsibilities related to the Aviation Safety Program. Additional responsibilities and related requirements are contained in NPR 7900.3.

10.2 Aviation Safety Program Responsibilities

10.2.1 The Chief, SMA delegates responsibilities for the implementation of NASA's Aviation Safety Program to the Director, Aircraft Management Division (AMD). Accordingly, the Director, AMD:

a. Defines Agency aviation safety responsibilities and requirements covering NASA's aircraft operations for Centers, programs, and projects.

b. Performs functional oversight and assessments to assure the implementation of the responsibilities and requirements by Centers, programs, and projects.

c. Informs the Chief, SMA of aviation safety concerns and may halt aviation operations.

d. Adjudicates requests for waivers to the Agency-level aviation safety requirements in NPR 7900.3 or otherwise established by AMD.

Note: Waiver decisions may be subject to requirements for the acceptance of risks to safety and mission success in NPR 8000.4.

e. Periodically informs the Chief, SMA of the state of the Aviation Safety Program.

f. Will remain independent from aircraft operations and maintain the necessary technical expertise.

10.2.2 The Chief, SMA assigns a delegate within OSMA to provide oversight to the Aviation Safety Program by participating in or reviewing program activities, such as;

a. The Inter-Center Aircraft Operations Panel (IAOP) Reviews managed by the AMD.

b. The HQ bi-yearly IAOP Chief's Meetings led by AMD.

c. The Aircraft Advisory Committee led by the AMD.

10.2.3 Center Directors are responsible for the safety of all aircraft, including Unmanned Aircraft System (UASs), and crews assigned to or operating from their Centers. As part of this responsibility, Center Directors implement Center-level aviation safety programs in accordance with NPR 7900.3.

10.2.4 Consistent with NPD 1000.0, program and project managers are responsible and accountable for the safe conduct of aviation activities under their cognizance in conformance with governing requirements.

DISTRIBUTION:
NODIS

This document does not bind the public, except as authorized by law or as incorporated into a contract. This document is uncontrolled when printed. Check the NASA Online Directives Information System (NODIS) Library to verify that this is the correct version before use: https://nodis3.gsfc.nasa.gov.