Safety Management Systems are currently considered the most effective and well documented aviation safety systems in use today. It is used not only in the aviation industry, but many other industries throughout the world as a way to enhance safety and reduce risk.
SMS is recognized by The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), IS-BAO, The International Society of Safety Professionals (ISSP), Vertical Aviation International (VAI), Tour Operators Program of Safety (TOPS), EASA, Transport Canada, Helicopter Safety Assurance (HSA) and many other helicopter safety organizations. For some time, SMS has been mandatory for scheduled airline or Part 121and it has shown to have a proven record of safety – recognized for saving lives and resources.
The FAA considers SMS so essential that it has made it a cornerstone of its new compliance philosophy. Under a policy, introduced in 2015, the FAA has moved away from a punitive approach to unintentional deviations or noncompliance with the FARs. Operators who have an active SMS program will receive counseling or education instead. The compliance philosophy could almost be considered enlightened – focusing on guidance rather than punishment, and aims to help operators return to compliance.
SMS relies on clear communication and a shared commitment from everyone in your operation to continuously enhance safety. In SMS, you don’t treat every hazard the same. Instead, you judge them according to severity and likelihood. In other words, how often would this happen, and if it happened, how bad would it be? You recognized these hazards and mitigate them prior to a potential accident.
For SMS to be Effective, Management/Leadership Commitment is Key
In order for SMS to be effective, company management must support it and employees must “buy” into it. Management must set the example and promote all the areas of SMS.
Solutions to the Problem: Cost-Effective SMS for Small Operators
Hiring a part-time or fractional safety professional is a cost-effective solution for operators who lack the resources to establish and manage an SMS program in-house. By sharing the expense with other small operators, you gain access to an experienced safety consultant who can implement and oversee your SMS at a fraction of the cost of a full-time safety director. This approach, known as hiring a “Fractional Safety Professional,” ensures expert guidance while keeping costs manageable.
With this approach, you’re benefiting from expertise on demand, having a team that fully understands and can advise and help develop your SMS plan based on the regulatory landscape, create a flexible and scalable approach and reduces administrative burden.
Another solution to the problem is getting involved with The Air Charter Safety Foundation’s Membership Assistance Program (MAP) where members get help with developing and implementing a Safety Management System in compliance with FAA Part 5 requirements.
HFDM as a Critical Tool for Safety and Training
As with any good safety program, Flight Data Monitoring is an essential part of your safety management system. Collecting and analyzing your companies flight data will enable positive changes and reinforces good training. It has proven to save lives and resources.
Implementing a Flight Data Monitoring (FDM) program enhances safety by proactively identifying hidden risks, monitoring operational hazards, and continuously improving procedures and training. By collecting and analyzing flight data, operators can ensure regulatory compliance, validate Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), and enhance training effectiveness through real-time feedback and trend analysis. FDM also contributes to cost savings by potentially reducing insurance premiums, streamlining training programs, and improving operational efficiency.
From a maintenance perspective, FDM helps detect aircraft exceedances, reduces troubleshooting time, and provides valuable data on engine and system performance. Additionally, having an FDM program can reduce liability—failing to utilize available data recorders may increase exposure in the event of an accident.
At the 2025 ACSF Safety Symposium, a workshop entitled “How FDM Helps Operators Fly Safely” will address quantitative and qualitative outcomes that we see from running a FDM program
SMS Safety Training
If you have the resources and personnel, there are many choices to choose from when it comes to safety training for your safety professional. There are your formal SMS courses held by various organizations such as Vertical Association International (VAI), The Transportation Safety Institute’s (TSI) SMS courses, and other formal training programs. In addition to these courses, there are one or two-day safety seminars available and on-line training. The International Society of Safety Professionals (ISSP) also has a program to certify safety professionals who have extensive safety training and experience.
SMS Will Become Mandatory in General Aviation
Operators will have until May 28, 2027 to be FAA Safety Management Systems (SMS) Compliance. A letter must be submitted stating in compliance with Title 14 of the Code of Federal Regulations (14 CFR) Part 5 SMS requirements in accordance with FAA Notice N8900.700.
FAA Part 5 compliance requires aviation organizations to implement a Safety Management System (SMS) that includes processes for identifying hazards, assessing safety risks, implementing risk mitigation strategies, monitoring safety performance, and continuously improving safety practices, all while demonstrating a commitment to safety through a clear safety policy and accountable leadership; essentially, it mandates a proactive approach to managing safety risks within an aviation operation.
Key aspects of FAA Part 5 compliance:
- Safety Policy Statement: A clear statement outlining the organization’s commitment to safety as the highest priority.
- Safety Accountability and Authority: Designation of a responsible individual with authority to oversee the SMS and make safety-related decisions.
- Hazard Identification and Risk Assessment: Establishing processes to identify potential hazards within operations and assess their associated risks.
- Risk Mitigation Strategies: Developing and implementing effective controls to mitigate identified safety risks.
- Safety Performance Monitoring: Continuously monitoring operational data to identify safety trends and potential issues.
- Safety Assurance Activities: Conducting audits, reviews, and assessments to evaluate the effectiveness of the SMS.
- Continuous Improvement: Implementing corrective actions based on safety performance data to enhance the SMS.
The FAA’s rule requires charter, commuter, air tour operators, and aircraft manufacturers to implement a critical safety approach that has helped create the safest era in aviation history. The rule would support the FAA’s preventive approach that detects and corrects potential hazards.
Operators need to resource and place emphasis on initiating a safety management program. They need to the right person to manage the program. Small operators who do not have the resources to have a full-time safety officer, should look at the possibility of hiring a safety consultant (part-time) to assist you with not just building a program but to assist in the preparation of an audit with a gap analysis.
SMS works. Don’t be that last one to “jump on board”. It is time to get on board with SMS and make your operation safer. As always, take action to fly safely!
