Enhancing Aviation Safety: Expert Insights, Tips, and Updates from SMS-Pro

Steve Potts

Steve Potts, of Swedish-Norwegian descent, was born in Fairbanks, Alaska, where his passion for flying began early. Earning his pilot’s license at 16, he built a 30-year career, flying single-engine Cessnas and twin-engine turboprops across Alaska’s challenging terrains. Starting as a bush pilot, Steve delivered supplies to remote villages, later flying commercial routes for regional airlines in the Pacific Northwest and Canada. With over 15,000 flight hours, he became a respected mentor and advocate for aviation safety. In 2015, Steve joined SMS Pro, a leader in Safety Management System software. As a senior consultant, he develops safety protocols and training, helping aviation organizations worldwide meet international standards. Steve remains active in Fairbanks, occasionally flying and volunteering with youth programs. He holds a Bachelor’s in Aviation Technology from the University of Alaska Fairbanks, is a certified flight instructor (CFI) and Airline Transport Pilot (ATP), and enjoys skiing and preserving his heritage through traditional cooking.
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Recent Posts

Easy FAA Part 5 SMS Hazard Identification Training Guide

Posted by Steve Potts on Jun 12, 2025 6:00:00 AM

 

For aviation safety managers, training employees to identify hazards is a critical component of a robust Safety Management System (SMS) under 14 CFR Part 5, EASA and other national civil aviation authorities' SMS regulations.

 Effective hazard identification—through data analysis, employee reporting, and operational reviews—enables organizations to proactively manage risks, comply with FAA regulations, and foster a strong safety culture.

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Topics: 3-Safety Assurance, 2-Safety Risk Management, Risk Management Training, FAA Compliance, Safety Culture

5 Ways SMS Pro Boosts Safety in Aerial Power Line Inspections

Posted by Steve Potts on Jun 10, 2025 6:00:01 AM

Introduction: Safety Challenges in Aerial Power Line Inspections

Aerial power line inspections, conducted by helicopters and drones, are critical for maintaining electrical grid reliability but pose significant safety risks. The Federal Aviation Administration reports that utility aviation incidents, often linked to human factors or environmental hazards, contribute to 70% of accidents in this sector, costing millions annually, per IATA.

Safety managers must navigate low-altitude operations, complex terrain, and regulatory demands under ICAO Annex 19 and FAA Part 5. SMS Pro’s aviation SMS software addresses these challenges with tools like real-time hazard reporting, risk management, and analytics, achieving a 20% incident reduction in prior case studies.

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Topics: Aviation SMS Database, 4-Safety Promotion, Risk Management Software, 2-Safety Risk Management

How to Write a Comprehensive Part 5 SMS Implementation Plan for FAA Submission

Posted by Steve Potts on Jun 9, 2025 6:00:00 AM

 

As an aviation safety manager or accountable executive, developing a Safety Management System (SMS) that complies with 14 CFR Part 5 is critical for ensuring safety and meeting Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) requirements.

A well-crafted SMS Implementation Plan is your roadmap to achieving this, outlining how your organization will establish, integrate, and maintain an SMS to proactively manage safety risks. This guide provides a step-by-step approach to writing a comprehensive Part 5 SMS Implementation Plan acceptable to your local FAA Certificate Management Office (CMO), complete with practical examples and tips for success.

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Topics: Aviation SMS Implementation, 4-Safety Promotion, 3-Safety Assurance, 1-Safety Policy, 2-Safety Risk Management, Risk Management Training, FAA Compliance

FAA Part 5 SMS Implementation Plan Submission Guide

Posted by Steve Potts on Jun 8, 2025 6:00:00 AM

 

For aviation safety managers and accountable executives, implementing a Safety Management System (SMS) under 14 CFR Part 5 is a regulatory requirement that strengthens safety performance and ensures compliance with FAA standards. A critical step in this process is preparing and submitting an SMS Implementation Plan to the FAA, which outlines how your organization will develop and operationalize its SMS.

This guide walks you through the essentials of creating an SMS Implementation Plan, the FAA’s expectations, and the submission process. Whether you’re a Part 135 operator, Part 91.147 air tour operator, or Part 21 certificate holder, this article provides actionable steps to help you meet FAA requirements and foster a robust safety culture.

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Topics: Aviation SMS Implementation, 3-Safety Assurance, 1-Safety Policy, 2-Safety Risk Management

Easy FAA Part 5 SMS Declaration of Compliance Guide

Posted by Steve Potts on Jun 7, 2025 6:00:00 AM

 

For aviation safety managers and accountable executives, ensuring compliance with the FAA’s Safety Management System (SMS) requirements under 14 CFR Part 5 is a cornerstone of operational safety. A critical step in this process is submitting a Declaration of Compliance (DOC) to the FAA, which confirms that your organization’s SMS, including its Safety Risk Management (SRM) processes, meets regulatory standards.

This article provides a deep dive into the role of SRM in SMS compliance and a detailed list of required content for the DOC. Whether you’re managing a Part 135 operation, a Part 91.147 air tour operation, or a Part 21 certificate holder, this guide will help you craft a compliant DOC while strengthening your SRM practices.

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Topics: 4-Safety Promotion, 3-Safety Assurance, 1-Safety Policy, 2-Safety Risk Management, Risk Management Training, FAA Compliance

Hazard Identification in Aviation SMS: Proven Strategies for Safety Managers

Posted by Steve Potts on Jun 6, 2025 6:00:00 AM

Why Hazard Identification is the Backbone of Aviation Safety

Hazard identification is the cornerstone of a robust Aviation Safety Management System. Without pinpointing potential risks—be it human errors, equipment failures, or environmental factors—aviation operations are vulnerable to accidents. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) mandates hazard identification as a core component of FAA Part 5 compliance, emphasizing proactive risk management.

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Topics: 3-Safety Assurance, 2-Safety Risk Management

Regulatory Document Review: Must-Know for Aviation SMS Compliance

Posted by Steve Potts on May 20, 2025 4:46:14 PM

 

As a new aviation safety manager, stepping into the complex world of aviation Safety Management Systems (SMS) can feel overwhelming. One of your critical responsibilities is ensuring regulatory compliance with major aviation authorities like the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), and the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO).

A cornerstone of this responsibility is conducting a Regulatory Document Review. This process ensures your organization adheres to the latest standards, mitigates risks, and maintains operational safety.

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Topics: 3-Safety Assurance, 2-Safety Risk Management, FAA Compliance

Practical Steps for Accountable Executives to Demonstrate SMS Compliance in Aviation

Posted by Steve Potts on May 18, 2025 6:00:00 AM

 

In the changing world of aviation regulations, safety remains non-negotiable. A robust Safety Management System (SMS) has become the backbone of any organization striving to mitigate risks and ensure compliance with regulatory standards, such as those set by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) and national civil aviation authorities like the FAA or EASA.

For new safety managers, training staff on SMS concepts can feel overwhelming, especially when tasked with guiding accountable executives—senior leaders responsible for SMS oversight. These executives, often juggling multiple responsibilities, need clear, actionable steps to demonstrate SMS compliance effectively.

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Topics: 4-Safety Promotion, 1-Safety Policy, 2-Safety Risk Management, Risk Management Training, FAA Compliance, Safety Culture

Best Practices: Reviewing Aviation SMS Manuals

Posted by Steve Potts on Aug 28, 2024 2:11:00 AM

When Should I Review Our SMS Manual?

It's very important to review SMS Manuals.

The most common audit finding is that the operator is not conducting operations as stated in their SMS manual.

Furthermore, your manual is only as useful as the information it contains. If the information is out of date, employees will lose trust in it. This undermines the safety culture you've worked to build.

Review your manual at regular intervals. Annual reviews are best practice, but some operators go as long as 3 years between reviews.

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Topics: 1-Safety Policy

SMS First Steps - How to Create an SMS Implementation Plan

Posted by Steve Potts on Aug 21, 2024 5:00:00 AM

What Is an SMS Implementation Plan?

As a safety manager, the implementation plan is your road map to success, but finding guidance on how to create one is difficult at best.

The FAA doesn't provide an implementation plan for the latest Part 5 regulations, but there is an implementation plan suggested by ICAO 9859.

ICAO recommends a 5-year plan with 4 phases of implementation, but this plan may not work well for small organizations or those with many elements already in place.

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Topics: Aviation SMS Implementation

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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