The Active System safety approach (PASS) is based on processing of current and historical flight information and reacting on it in real time. The ONBASS project is the first implementation of PASS for General Aviation and implements PASS by hardware and software. Everything is innovative here: models, hardware and system software designs. The ways in which ONBASS achieves reliability, performance and safety features for General Aviation are unique.

ONBASS hardware consists of three major units: Flight Data Interface (FDI), Flight Data Processing Unit (FDP) and Flight Data Memory (FDM). Through FDI ONBASS receives flight data and processes them in terms of flight safety. Flight data are organized in frames which are processed in real time of flight and also used for further analysis after flight. Processing runs automatically BEFORE, DURING and AFTER flight.

ONBASS hardware possesses extremely high reliability, achieved by careful system design and fault tolerance of main elements of hardware. System software support of fault tolerance is also used. This enables ONBASS once installed to be "fitted and forgotten" i.e. is maintenance free during the whole life span of aircraft.

ONBASS will use various feedback schemes to react adequately on potential safety hazards. Feedback mechanisms are subject of special research. Subsequent projects will involve interaction between flight control and the proposed Active Safety control system (ONBASS).