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By following this guide, you will configure Safety Performance Indicators (SPIs) with targets and thresholds, assign review cycles, and set up alerting to monitor safety performance trends.
Who should read this: Safety managers and admins who configure and monitor SPIs. The accountable executive should review SPI dashboards during management reviews.Prerequisites: Safety manager or admin role. Your organization should have baseline safety data (reports, incidents, flight hours) to set meaningful targets.

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SPI Dashboard Overview

Navigate to SPIs in the Safety sidebar. The dashboard displays all configured indicators with their current values, targets, thresholds, alert status, and trend direction.

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Indicator Categories

PlaneConnection organizes SPIs into five categories covering the full scope of your safety management activities:
CategoryExamples
Flight OperationsUnstable approach rate, go-around rate, TCAS RA rate.
MaintenanceUnscheduled maintenance rate, MEL deferral rate, repeat discrepancy rate.
Ground OperationsRamp incident rate, ground damage rate, FOD incident rate.
SMS EffectivenessReport submission rate, investigation closure time, CPA on-time rate.
Human FactorsFatigue report rate, CRM event rate, training completion rate.

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Configure an SPI

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Step 1: Open the SPI configuration
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From the SPI dashboard, open the configuration for any indicator, or add a new indicator.
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Step 2: Set the target value
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The target represents the desired performance level. Base targets on historical baseline data, industry benchmarks, regulatory guidance, and organizational safety objectives.
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Step 3: Set alert thresholds
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Define the values that trigger escalating levels of management attention. For the full alert level definitions, see SPI Definitions.
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Set Watch thresholds at approximately 80% of the Warning value. This gives you early warning before performance degrades to a level requiring formal action.
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Step 4: Assign a review cycle
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Select how frequently this indicator should be formally reviewed — daily, weekly, monthly, quarterly, or annual depending on the metric type.
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Step 5: Set the data source
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Indicators can pull data automatically from PlaneConnection modules (reports, investigations, CPAs, flight logs) or accept manual data entry for metrics tracked externally.
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Step 6: Save the configuration
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Save to apply. The indicator appears on the SPI dashboard with its current value calculated from the configured data source.
The SPI dashboard shows a trend indicator for each metric:
TrendMeaning
ImprovingPerformance is moving toward the target.
StablePerformance is consistent within the normal range.
DegradingPerformance is moving away from the target.
Click on any indicator to view its detail page with historical charts, threshold breach history, and related safety data.

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Respond to SPI Alerts

When an SPI breaches a threshold:
  1. Review the alert. Navigate to the SPI detail page to understand the scope and duration of the threshold breach.
  2. Investigate the cause. Examine underlying data — recent reports, investigation findings, and operational changes — to determine why performance has degraded.
  3. Take corrective action. Depending on the alert level:
    Alert LevelRecommended Response
    WatchIncrease monitoring frequency. Note in next committee meeting.
    WarningConduct a focused review. Consider opening an investigation or risk assessment.
    CriticalEscalate to the accountable executive. Initiate immediate corrective action. May require operational modifications.
  4. Document the response. Record what was found, what action was taken, and any changes to the SPI target or thresholds.
    Critical SPI alerts that persist for more than 7 days without documented management response are flagged on the compliance dashboard and may indicate a gap in Safety Assurance processes per 14 CFR 5.71.

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SPI Review in Committee Meetings

Include SPI performance in Safety Review Board (SRB) and Safety Action Group (SAG) agendas. The recommended review approach:
  • Monthly SAG meetings — review all SPIs with Watch or higher alerts. Discuss trends and assign follow-up.
  • Quarterly SRB meetings — review the full SPI dashboard. Evaluate whether targets and thresholds remain appropriate. Approve any changes to SPI configurations.
  • Annual management review — assess the overall SPI program. Add or retire indicators based on operational changes and safety priorities.

SPI Definitions

Complete catalog of indicators, categories, and alert system reference.

Track Compliance

How SPI monitoring supports Part 5 Subpart D compliance.

Conduct a Risk Assessment

Risk assessments triggered by degrading SPI performance.

Run a Safety Committee Meeting

Reviewing SPI performance in committee meetings.
Last modified on April 11, 2026