Objective To provide reference for medical risk management by systematically reviewing the hterature on aviation risk management abroad. Methods We searched the SCOPUS database and related websites, and handsearched related journals, for literatures on the history, experience, and models of aviation risk management, and their relationship to medical risk management. Rationale and method of evidence-based science were used to appraise and analyze the included hterature. Results Aviation and medical industry were both with the characteristics of high technology, high risk, and high professional. The aviation risk management system including the unique information reporting system, risk analyzing tools and models covered the whole process of information collecting, analyzing and managing, and with the emphasis on systematical construction. Conclusions Medical risk management in China should base on its own characteristics, taking the following experiences from aviation risk management into account： （1） establishing incident and shght ~fistake reporting system, with management mechanism and legal support. Pilot experiments should be practiced in high-risk department; （2） developing a training model hke Crew Resources Management（ CRM）, emphasizing non-technical skills training; （3） reinforcing staff and environment management for the control of human-origin risk; （4） constructing database for better information collection and analysis, developing and using perspective analyzing tools; （5） assessing the safety culture of medical organization with the tools used by aviation industry, and taking the experience of aviation safety culture construction.