What is LOSA for Airlines


LOSA observers collect safety-related data on:

  • Environmental conditions;
  • Operational complexity; and 
  • Human performance on the flightdeck. 

Numerous airline and environmental threats exist in the operating environment. These threats can be due to

  • Weather;
  • Delays;
  • Maintenance;
  • Procedures; and more.

A LOSA is an ideal way to identify these threats and understand flightcrew responses. LOSA also reveals how errors and undesired aircraft states are managed by flightcrews. 

  • LOSA is not a checkride or a line check. 
  • LOSA is confidential and nonpunitive. 

A LOSA is conducted by a non-threatening company employee (typically another pilot) who rides in the jumpseat taking notes on what is happening during the course of a normal flight. 

Once all the data are collected, then a final analytical report is written. Recommendations are made to management to both reinforce the positives and improve the negatives. 

A LOSA enables organizations to manage threats and errors so that those threats and errors do not turn into accidents and incidents in the future. With LOSA, you are being predictive—which is the ultimate form of proactive safety! 

Benefits of LOSA for Airlines

  • Potential insurance savings;
  • Reduction in costs due to damage;
  • Improved employee morale; and
  • Increased employee safety awareness.
US Navy 050111-N-1444C-004 British Royal Air Force Flight Lt. Ronnie Trasler (captain,) Flight Officer Paul Summers (co pilot,) Flight Lt. Mick Hardwick (engineer,) and Squadron Leader Kev Brookes (navigator) of 101 Squadron, o
U.S. Navy photo by Photographer's Mate Class 2nd Peter J. Carney [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons