Jamie Adams
Jamie Adams, born in Homer, Alaska, developed a deep interest in aviation mechanics growing up in a town surrounded by small airfields and seaplanes. After completing their Airframe and Powerplant (A&P) certification, Jamie began a career in aviation maintenance, working for 25 years in a Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) facility in Anchorage. There, Jamie specialized in aircraft systems, focusing on turbine engines and avionics for regional aircraft operating in Alaska’s demanding conditions. Jamie’s meticulous attention to detail and expertise in troubleshooting complex mechanical issues earned them a reputation as a trusted technician among pilots and operators. In 2012, Jamie joined SMS Pro, a leading provider of Safety Management System (SMS) software for the aviation industry. Transitioning from hands-on maintenance to a safety-focused role, Jamie brought their extensive MRO experience to the table, helping aviation organizations implement effective safety protocols. As a safety specialist at SMS Pro, Jamie develops risk assessment tools and training programs, ensuring maintenance teams adhere to global safety standards. Their practical insights have been vital in bridging the gap between operational maintenance and safety management. Jamie continues to reside in Homer, where they enjoy fishing and mentoring young aviation enthusiasts. They hold a degree in Aviation Maintenance Technology from the University of Alaska Anchorage and remain an active member of the Alaskan aviation community.
Creating Training Modules From Lessons Learned
In aviation, where safety is the top priority, every incident, near-miss, or hazard provides a critical opportunity to learn and prevent future mistakes.
A lessons learned library captures these insights, but its true value lies in transforming them into actionable training modules that ensure employees—pilots, maintenance crews, ground staff, and others—learn from past errors. For aviation safety managers, creating effective training modules from documented lessons learned is a key component of a proactive Safety Management System (SMS), aligning with International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) standards and fostering a culture of continuous improvement.
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Topics:
4-Safety Promotion,
3-Safety Assurance,
Risk Management Training
Modern Aviation Risk Management Strategies
Aviation safety is paramount in an industry where even minor oversights can lead to catastrophic consequences. For aviation safety managers and accountable executives, implementing robust risk management strategies is not just a regulatory requirement but a moral imperative.
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Topics:
Aviation SMS Database,
Risk Management Software,
2-Safety Risk Management
FAA Part 5 Safety Policy Pillar
We've all heard the cliche: "In the high-stakes world of aviation, safety is non-negotiable." Yet this is not reality.
To combat unsafe aviation operations, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) mandates robust Safety Management Systems (SMS) under Part 5 to ensure operators proactively manage risks and foster a culture of safety.
At the heart of this framework lies the Safety Policy pillar, a foundational component that sets the tone for an organization’s safety commitment. For aviation safety managers and accountable executives, implementing a compliant Safety Policy can be daunting—but tools like SMS Pro simplify the process, ensuring alignment with FAA Part 5 requirements while streamlining safety management.
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Topics:
Aviation SMS Database,
Risk Management Software,
1-Safety Policy
SMS Implementation Guides and Templates
Aviation safety managers face the critical task of ensuring compliance with Safety Management Systems (SMS) to maintain operational safety and regulatory adherence. Implementing an effective SMS requires structured guidance, and finding reliable SMS implementation guides and templates can streamline the process.
This guide outlines actionable steps for aviation safety managers to locate high-quality SMS resources, enhancing safety protocols and operational efficiency.
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Topics:
Aviation SMS Implementation,
1-Safety Policy
Part 135 Operator SMS Implementation Plan Sample
Below is a sample SMS Implementation Plan for Part 135 operators using SMS Pro. Amend this plan to suit your needs. Do not simply copy and paste this entire document, as there are placeholders in the text to put your company details.
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Topics:
Aviation SMS Implementation,
Aviation SMS Database,
Risk Management Software
Introduction to Aviation SMS for Single-Pilot Operators
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) mandates Safety Management Systems (SMS) for various aviation operations, including single-pilot operators under 14 CFR § 5.3(c). This regulation, effective May 28, 2024, requires single-pilot operators under Part 135 (on-demand and commuter operations) and Part 91.147 (air tour operators) to develop and submit an SMS implementation plan by November 28, 2024. For single-pilot operations, the FAA allows simplified processes to make compliance manageable, recognizing the unique challenges of small-scale operations.
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Topics:
Aviation SMS Implementation,
4-Safety Promotion,
3-Safety Assurance,
1-Safety Policy,
2-Safety Risk Management
Introduction: Navigating SORA for UAS Safety
The rapid rise of Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) has transformed aviation, with drone operations projected to contribute $63 billion to the global economy by 2025, per IATA. However, advanced operations like Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) or Operations Over People (OOP) carry significant risks, requiring robust safety frameworks.
The Specific Operations Risk Assessment (SORA), developed by JARUS and adopted by the European Union Aviation Safety Agency as an Acceptable Means of Compliance (AMC) for Regulation (EU) 2019/947, provides a structured methodology to assess and mitigate these risks. SORA ensures UAS operations in the Specific Category meet safety standards comparable to manned aviation, aligning with ICAO Annex 19.
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Topics:
3-Safety Assurance,
1-Safety Policy,
2-Safety Risk Management
FAA Part 5 Compliance as a Top Priority
FAA Part 5, expanded in April 2024, mandates Safety Management Systems (SMS) for Part 121 airlines, Part 135 operators, and Part 145 MROs, making compliance a top concern for aviation safety managers and accountable executives.
Non-compliance risks penalties, operational disruptions, and reputational damage, with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) reporting over 90% of operators scrambling to meet deadlines. SMS Pro, a leading aviation SMS software, streamlines compliance with its 77+ modules, including offline auditing, custom reporting, and gamified engagement.
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Topics:
4-Safety Promotion,
3-Safety Assurance,
1-Safety Policy,
2-Safety Risk Management,
FAA Compliance
Introduction: Fatigue’s Threat to Aviation Safety
Fatigue is a critical risk in aviation, contributing to 70–80% of incidents by impairing cognitive function, reaction times, and decision-making. From pilots on long-haul flights to MRO technicians working night shifts, fatigue undermines safety across operations. The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) and Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) mandate Fatigue Risk Management Systems (FRMS) within Safety Management Systems (SMS) to mitigate this threat, as outlined in ICAO Annex 19 and FAA Part 5 (expanded in 2024 to include Part 145 MROs).
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Topics:
Aviation SMS Database,
4-Safety Promotion,
3-Safety Assurance,
2-Safety Risk Management
Under CAR 702, 703, 704, 706, 571, and 573??
In Canada, the requirement for a formal Safety Management System (SMS) under the Canadian Aviation Regulations (CARs) applies to specific categories of air operators and organizations, as outlined in CAR 107 and related subparts.
Based on the regulations and their applicability to CAR 702, 703, 704, 706, 571, and 573, here’s which of these require a formal SMS as of year 2025:
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Topics:
Aviation SMS Implementation,
Risk Management Training
