SMS Pro Aviation Safety Software Blog 4 Airlines & Airports

Who Started Four Pillars of Safety Management in Aviation?

Posted by Doug Walker on Feb 7, 2024 6:15:00 AM

Four Pillars of Safety Management Systems (SMS)

In 2006, International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) required safety management system (SMS) implementation for most commercial aviation service providers. The list of required service providers has been expanded in recent years to include:

  • Aircraft operators;
  • Aircraft maintenance organizations (AMOs or MROs);
  • Air navigation services providers;
  • Helicopter operators;
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Topics: Aviation SMS Implementation

What Are Differences of Aviation Safety Management Systems (SMS) and QMS Programs

Posted by Christopher Howell on Nov 22, 2023 6:00:00 AM

What Is an Aviation Safety Management System (SMS)?

An aviation safety management system (SMS) has been repeatedly defined as a formal, systematic approach to managing safety, including necessary

  • organizational structures,
  • accountabilities,
  • policies, and
  • procedures.
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Topics: Aviation SMS Implementation

43 Benefits of Aviation Safety Management Systems (Proven)

Posted by Tyler Britton on Aug 23, 2023 6:11:00 AM

Safety Benefits of Aviation Safety Management Systems

The most obvious benefits of implementing an aviation safety management system (SMS) are the marked improvements in safety.

Just to give you an idea of exactly how successful aviation SMS implementations have been, the only statistic you need to know is that 20 years ago there were four times as many workplace accidents as last year.

It’s difficult to get data on total workplace incidents, but I am sure that the statistic for workplace incidents last year vs. 20 years ago is even more dramatic.

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Topics: Aviation SMS Implementation

What Are the 4 Pillars of SMS?

Posted by Doug Walker on Mar 29, 2023 9:56:00 AM

Four Pillars or Components Make a Tough Topic More Digestible

When the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) required a formal safety management system (SMS) implementation by aviation service providers in 2006, they didn't simply pass a ruling. ICAO offered guidance material for SMS implementation in Document 9859, now in the third edition.

All aviation safety management professionals should read Document 9859 at least once. It is surprisingly easy to read.

The best part about this "Safety Management Manual" is that the authors took a very broad and complex topic and broke it down into four components or pillars of an SMS.

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Topics: Aviation SMS Implementation

Overview of 4 Phases of Aviation SMS Implementation with Free Resources

Posted by Tyler Britton on Jan 25, 2023 5:47:00 AM

Inadequate Safety Performance Compels Aviation SMS Implementation

The level of measurable aviation safety performance is not the same across the world, country-to-country, or airline-to-airline. Some countries are notorious for having substandard aviation safety records and some do not follow international standards, including Bangladesh, Haiti, Honduras, and more.

Even within countries that have accepted and actively practice international aviation safety standards, the level of safety performance within the industry remains unequal.

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Topics: Aviation SMS Implementation

Aviation SMS Implementation Struggles and Solutions

Posted by Tyler Britton on Sep 14, 2022 6:00:00 AM

Conforming Aviation SMS around Struggles

Aviation safety management systems (SMS) are now an FAA requirement for part 121 certificated operators.

Without having a verifiable SMS, operators will face denial of permits and other problems. For organizations that have only lightly dabbled with an SMS and do not have a demonstrable program, they are now tasked with three things:

  • Beginning SMS implementation;
  • Understanding current struggles impeding successful implementation; and
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Topics: Aviation SMS Implementation

Top 4 Reasons to Hire Interns for Aviation Safety Management Systems

Posted by Christopher Howell on Jun 8, 2022 10:00:00 AM

Budget and Experience for Aviation Safety Management Systems

Airlines, airports, and maintenance organizations are still trying to understand the requirements of ICAO's mandated aviation safety management systems (SMS) that are outlined in Document 9859 Safety Management Manual (SMM).

Fully implemented aviation SMS programs require considerable work to implement AND maintain. If you are like most aviation service providers, your company is trying to implement a multi-year project on a shoestring budget.

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Topics: Aviation SMS Implementation

5 Things You Should Know about Aviation SMS

Posted by Tyler Britton on May 11, 2022 6:00:00 AM

Getting (Back) to the Basics of Aviation SMS

It’s easy to get absorbed in the gritty details of complex systems – this is especially true of aviation safety management systems (SMS).

For newcomers to the world of aviation SMS, it can seem overwhelming and daunting. For veterans, it’s easy to forget the core values.

For newcomers and veterans alike, reviewing the core principles of SMS can be refreshing:

  • Why does SMS work?
  • How does it work?
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Topics: Aviation SMS Implementation

10 Tasks for Starting Aviation SMS Implementation (& in This Order)

Posted by Tyler Britton on Aug 31, 2021 5:44:00 AM

Most Important Items for Starting SMS Implementation

If you are reading this article, chances are that you either already have started implementing an aviation safety management system (SMS), or you are considering an SMS implementation.

Starting an aviation SMS implementation from ground zero may be confusing and difficult for any safety professional, much less a layperson who may be tasked to implement an aviation SMS. There is so much to do, such as

  • gap analysis;
  • implementation plan;
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Topics: Aviation SMS Implementation

3 Benefits of Aviation Safety Management System (SMS) Databases

Posted by Christopher Howell on Aug 10, 2021 7:00:00 AM

What Are the Safety Management System Databases?

In early 2007, when we started designing and developing SMS Pro, I was mildly surprised that many aviation safety managers called a Web application to manage aviation safety events a "safety management system" (SMS) database.

I'm an IT guy, and when I think of a database, I'm thinking about Oracle, SQL Server, MS Access, etc.

I believe the confusion comes from pilots who are used to dealing with MS Access databases.

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Topics: Aviation SMS Implementation, Aviation SMS Database

Site content provided by Northwest Data Solutions is meant for informational purposes only. Opinions presented here are not provided by any civil aviation authority or standards body.

 

 

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