SAE TOMORROW TODAY: Evolving SAE Aircraft Safety Standards

Formed in 1992, the SAE S-18 Aircraft & Systems Development and Safety Assessment Committee is tasked by the FAA to capture consensus industry safety procedures into a recommended practice. For over 25 years, the S-18 documents have been the cornerstone of product development and safety in aviation. As new aircraft technologies like eVTOL and autonomous flights emerge, the S-18 committee is keeping pace with updated guidance for more complex aviation systems. In fact, the committee is currently working on the release of revised versions of two longstanding critical modern aviation safety standards in an effort to adapt to a rapidly transforming industry. To learn more, we sat down with Andy Wallington, System Safety Engineer and SAE S-18 Vice Chairperson, The Boeing Company, and Steve Beland, Retired Technical Fellow - System Safety and recent SAE S-18A Co-Chairperson, to discuss their commitment to updated guidance and aviation safety. For updates on the release of SAE's revised aircraft standards, visit www.sae.org/foundations-of-aircraft-and-systems-safety. And don't forget to register for AeroTech, SAE International's premier professional conference on aerospace technology. If you'd like to get involved in developing SAE mobility standards, visit www.sae.org/standards/development.